Audio Tapes # 46,    Oct 22, 2000       (Notes Updated Oct 21, 2000)

Don't miss the pictures of the zoo days. The Lord willing, Creation Creature Features soon.

Review: (Gen 1-15) See the previous sermon notes on the Web -

The Text (Blue Letter Bible): Genesis 16:1-18:15 
(Strong's numbers, Hebrew-Greek lexicons, cross references, etc., can be accessed from the above link)

Brief Outline, Exposition, and Commentary - 

Why was Abram's wife barren? (Gen 16:1-16)  
            To Prove a Point: showing that man's way (works of the flesh) won't work.
            We must think long-term (generations), and wait patiently as we cooperate with God's plan.

- Gen 11:30 A crucial point to God's prophetic purpose (Messiah = miracle seed of a woman)
- Recognized that the barrenness was from God, not an accident
- Sarah gives Hagar to Abram, in self-denial and humility, yet . . . (= man's way, trust in flesh).
- Ishmael, wild man of conflict, a seed of rebellion against God's monogamous design & prophetic promise.

Example of Ishmael's wild seed of conflict:
* Ishmael's hand against brothers' all over the world.
* Possibly a prophetic word of the Arab terrorism that plagues the whole world.
* October 2000, Arab Intifada in Israel, where young Arab boys murder two Israeli men and then glory before the cameras with blood dripping from their hands.

- Like Adam, Abram abdicated authority by following his wife instead of God.
- There is no example in the Bible of a happy polygamous family.  Jealousy, Sarai became harsh.
- Hagar hated Sarai (apparent pride at being able to bear children).
- Sarai shifts blame to Abram, and he again abdicates to her.
- Hagar rejects (1 Pet 2-3) principle of submission under "hand" of delegated authority and flees.
- THE Angel of the LORD hears her cry (Pre-incarnate manifestation of Jesus).

Example of God's Counseling Method:  HOLINESS, MERCY & GRACE:
* Questions to make her think about her motive and behavior.
* Direction from God's Word (go and submit, while trusting God).
* Guarantee that God will be with her and bless her faith (multiply Ismael). 

- Abram was 86 years old when Ishmael was born.  "GOD HEARS"

Why was  circumcision God's sign for His covenant? (Gen 17:1-27)
 * Click here for Spurgeon's sermon on Abraham's circumcision 
Delivered on the Lord's-Day Morning, December 13th, 1868  (thanks Phil)!

- Abram was 99 years old and El Shaddai appears to him.
- God commands "walk" in submission, and repeats His unilateral, unconditional, promise of an eternal possession of land ruled by Abram's descendants.  Nothing in this reiteration of the covenant promise implies Abram or his descendants must earn the right to rule the land forever.  No "ifs", "ands", or "buts" are attached to the core of the Abrahamic covenant.  It is promised on the basis of God's sovereign grace alone, and is a picture of our personal salvation sure and secure.
- Names changed to proclaim the promise prophesied.  "Father of a multitude" & "Princess" bearing Kings.
- Abraham laughs in joy, not doubt, evidenced by his bowing in worship.
- Abraham then intercedes for Ishmael and his future, and God promises blessing for him as well.
- Circumcision = the sign of the covenant.   WHY ? A physical picture of physical & spiritual truths.
-  Deut 10:16; 30:6; ** Jer 4:4 Man's way of the flesh effort, independent of God, must be rejected and thrown away for good.  Only God can accomplish the miracle of life, with all of its blessings.
Adam used fig leaves (works of the flesh), but God had to cover his sin with bloody animal skins (death).
- The bloody ring of circumcision surrounded the very instrument through which the Seed of salvation would come.  It regularly, and personally reminded husband and wife that the cause of all problems in the world is the willful, rebellious flesh nature of our sinful hearts.
- Isa 53; Psa 22 ..........
- Available to the whole extended household, not just the individual. (Family focused)
- If someone refused the covenant individually, he was to be "cut off" totally (killed).
- Abram was 99 and Ishmael was 13.  All of the men who obeyed had to fully trust God to protect and provide, because they were in pain and vulnerable to their enemies for a few days.

Why was Abram's son named, Isaac (Laughs)? (Gen 18:1-15)

- Abraham is alone and apparently meditating in prayer, when God comes to him.
- Abraham responds with faithful hospitality (Heb 13:2).
- Three men?  Two angels and YHWH God, eat and fellowship with him (Rev 3:20).
- Promise of children is reaffirmed, saying "I will return".
- Sarah laughs silently in her heart within the tent and God's omniscience is revealed by a question.
- Sarah's laugh is one of scoffing doubt, not faith.
- Who does God confront first about Sarah's ungodly response?

* The question is to her husband, not Sarah directly, demonstrating the man's rank, role, & responsibility. 
* Eph 5 - the husband is responsible to wash his wife with the water of the Word, when there are blemishes of ungodly attitude, behavior, & countenance (ABC's).

* "Is anything too hard for the LORD?"   This is the central point to this entire passage, and the most important biblical, discipleship/counseling question a counselor can ask.
(Luke 1:37; Philip 4:13 - you can be the man or woman, husband, wife, parent, boss, employee that the LORD has command you to be.  But beware of trying shortcuts man's way, instead of patiently working out your maturity God's way (submissive faith, studying the word, and walking it out in the trials of real relationships).
- She fearfully tries to deny by telling a lie, and is rebuked. 
- Isaac = "laughs", as a reminder of the contrast between the two choices we all have:

God's Way = Rejoice in submissive trust (Philip 4:1-13)
Man's Way = Scoff in arrogant doubt (2 Pet 3), and follow Frank Sinatra whose life-song was, "I did it my way" (Isa 53:6).

How does all of this apply to me?
(The final question to ask yourself, whenever you study God's Word)