Read with Me
Genesis 17:15-22 (HCSB)
God said to Abraham, “As for your wife Sarai, do not call her Sarai, for Sarah will be her name. I will bless her; indeed, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she will produce nations; kings of peoples will come from her.”
Abraham fell facedown. Then he laughed and said to himself, “Can a child be born to a hundred-year-old man? Can Sarah, a ninety-year-old woman, give birth?” So Abraham said to God, “If only Ishmael were acceptable to You!”
But God said, “No. Your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will name him Isaac. I will confirm My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his future offspring. As for Ishmael, I have heard you. I will certainly bless him; I will make him fruitful and will multiply him greatly. He will father 12 tribal leaders, and I will make him into a great nation. But I will confirm My covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this time next year.” When He finished talking with him, God withdrew from Abraham.
Listen with Me
There are two significant events in this short section. God had just mandated circumcision for all males in Abraham’s direct line, as well as for all other males in their households. And He had indicated that the time was fast approaching for the fulfillment of his promise to provide a son for Abraham through his wife Sarai. An indication of that fulfillment was the name change God provided. Abram (“exalted father”), would henceforth be called Abraham (“father of nations”).
Now, as a token that Sarai was part of this new thing that God was doing in and through her, he gave her the new name Sarah. Even though both names mean “princess”, the change in pronunciation would indicate to everyone that God had touched her life, giving her a new identity and a new role to play in His plan.
To say that Abraham was skeptical would be an understatement. Sarai had ceased menstruation years earlier, effectively negating any possibility of her conceiving in both Abraham’s mind and in her own. That was actually fine with both of them. Their giving up hope of Sarai being able to conceive had opened the door for full acceptance of Ishmael as Abraham’s only heir. So, rather than put God to the trouble of keeping a futile promise, Abraham effectively said, “That’s okay. You don’t have to bother. We have Ishmael. You can just bless him instead.”
Even though this came from a good place in Abraham’s heart, it was misguided because it ran contrary to God’s promise and His plan. He would indeed bless Ishmael and make his descendants into several strong people groups. But God’s covenant and the promise of inheriting the land would pass on to the new son, Isaac, who would be born through Sarah in precisely one year. Man’s work around would never be allowed to supplant God’s plans or His promises.
Pray with Me
Father, as I read this, I wondered how many times we tried to provide our own blessings, and then tell You that it is “good enough”. In doing that, we are turning away from the much more powerful blessings that are only available through You and Your miracle-working power. You have made us so many wonderful promises through our relationship with You in Jesus, but so many Christians seem satisfied with living on the fringes of those blessings, just dipping our toes in the edges of Your river of life, just sipping from the ocean of Your presence. Lord, instill in me a deep dissatisfaction with anything less than everything You have promised and stored up for me. Amen.
Exciting news! The next two volumes in the When We Listen devotional series have been released! Luke and John are now available on Amazon. You can click on the links below for more information or to order them. If you are in the Portland Metro area in Oregon, I will be doing a release party and book signing on Today, October 8, from 6-8 p.m. The new books will be available for purchase at a discounted rate. The release party will be at the Woodburn Area Chamber of Commerce Office, 1755 Mount Hood Ave, Unit 120, Woodburn, Oregon, 97071. It would be great to meet those of you who live nearby!
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