Study 3b: Abraham - His Error Of Sentiment - CHARACTER STUDY SERIES

Study 3b: Abraham - His Error Of Sentiment

Text: Genesis 16:1 - 6, 17:15-21, 20:9-14

When God called Abraham out of Haran, he had said to him "IN THEE SHALL ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH BE BLESSED" (Genesis. 12:3). This promise also involved his wife Sarah because it takes two to have children that will perpetuate a family.

Abraham left Haran with God's promise that he would be blessed with a child. (Genesis 12:3, 15:4.) At that time, he was seventy five years old. Incidentally, Abraham stayed for ten years without this promise fulfilled. With Abraham at 85 years and Sarah, 75, there seemed to be no possibility of bearing children at that age, considering the natural course of the human life. (Genesis 18:11 - 12)

The childless plight of Abraham evoked the sympathy of his wife and she offered her housemaid Hagar to go in to him in order to have children for them. By and by, Hagar conceived and gave birth to Ishmael. By this act, Abraham and Sarah defiled the sacredness of their marriage, which led to grave consequences.

God's standard for marriage: The Bible says: "...For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." - Matthew 19:5-6

"Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge." - Hebrews 13:4

Before Abraham agreed with Sarah to take in Hagar to bear children for them, there was peace and harmony in the home, but when sin entered, unlike before:

• (a) Hagar started despising and mocking her mistress. Genesis 16:4
• (b) Sarah was grieved and embittered so she man-handled Hagar. Genesis 16:5 - 6
• (c) The relationship between Abraham and Sarah was somehow strained.
• (d) Ishmael, the son of a slave girl mocked the wife of God's prophet and friend. This did not honor God. Genesis 21:9.
• (e) God was displeased and He sharply rebuked Abraham. Genesis.17: 1.
• (f) Hagar and Ishmael were banished and made to go through untold hardship. Genesis 21:14 - 16.

God is holy and wants to walk with us in holiness and He said to Abraham, "...I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect"- Genesis 17:1. God made it clear that the son of a bond woman shall not be his heir but one that would come from a legitimate and holy relationship with his God ordained wife, 'Sarah (Genesis 15:3 - 4, Genesis 21:12)

It should be observed that it was not Abraham that initiated this error but a sympathizer, Sarah. (Genesis 16:1 - 3).

YOU, see, in many cases the sins some Christians commit do not emanate from them but from people who purport to sympathize with their unfortunate situation and as a result suggest ungodly solutions. It could be father, mother, aunties, uncles, friends, etc.

The sentiment and sympathy of others for you in any adverse situation you are going through must never be a

reason for you to go contrary to the word of God. Because no situation, no matter how hard and distressful should be enough to make you disobey God. The Bible says: "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." - 2 Timothy 2:3 The Bible also says: "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." - Matthew 24:12-13.

The consequences of unsteadfastness and unfaithfulness could at times be more severe than we can imagine.

Reconsider this, before Abraham agreed with Sarah to take in Hagar to bear children for them, there was peace and harmony in their home and the troubles that set into the household of Abraham because of his error of sentiment. Read this too (Acts 5:1 - 10).

Abraham was 85 years when he committed this error and God rebuked him only when he was 99 years old.

(Genesis 16:3, Genesis 17:1). This shows that when someone is living in sin and does not receive an open and immediate rebuke or instant judgment from God, does not mean that the sin is okay. May be, the blessing of a child to Abraham was further delayed up to 24 years because of this error.

Let us learn from the error of Abraham. The Bible says: "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." - 2 Peter 3:9

MEMORY VERSE: Wait on the Lord: "Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD." - Psalm 27:14

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