Ishmael or Isaac?

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*** Today's post is an updated repost from 2014, but was one that was on my heart this morning. 
"...This man will not be your heir; but one who will come forth from your own body, he shall be your heir."      - Genesis 15:4 (NASB)

   When God first told Abraham he was going to make him a great "nation", he was 75 years old. Abraham was directly promised a son by God. Not a bad source for a blessing. What Abraham did not know is precisely how the LORD was going to cause this to happen. After some time past, without a child,  he and Sarah (his wife) decided to "help" God by providing a physical means for His promise to arrive. (Gen. 16:1-4) The result was Ishmael's birth, Abraham was not age 86. (Gen. 16:16) Thirteen years later, after the birth of Ishmael, the LORD reaffirmed His covenant to Abraham. One year later, Sarah gave birth to her only child Isaac: She was 90, Abraham was 100. If you do the math, from the time the LORD thirst spoke to Abraham until to the time Isaac was born is 25 years.

   Ishmael was Abraham's first child; Isaac was his second. So far it looks as though the promise is coming to pass, except there was a problem. Ishmael was not the promised child: Isaac was. Ishmael was the result of Abraham and Sarah taking the promise of God and "helping it" come to pass, and their actions would bring chaos. The LORD told Ishmael's mother that he would bless Ishmael, but he would be at odds with his brother Isaac, and their offspring would be at odds for the duration of human existence. (Gen. 16:11-12) To this very day the "brothers" are still at odds. If you look at the middle east, you will see this still being played out. Had Abraham been patient and waited on the LORD to fulfill his promise, things may have been much different, even today.

   Within each of us there is sometimes the temptation to "help" God. However, Abraham's example, though extreme, is worth remembering. If God has given a promise to you concerning your life, your family, your church, or any other circumstance it will come to pass.  If it is God's promise, then your best course of action is remaining faithful and obedient to Him. He will make His promise come to pass without your help. However, if He desires to enlist your help, He will let you know. Resist the temptation to help God. For now, just let God be God and watch what happens. 
   

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