"And Abraham said to God, 'If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!"
-----Genesis 17:18
A lot of uncomfortable things take place at the end of this chapter. At least for the men of the Hebrews. Abraham and Sarah receive their new names (a name makes a great difference) if not, then God would not make such an effort to give people certain names.
Verse 18 is insightful to the human condition. God just told Abraham that a nation will be produced out of his new offspring. Abraham recommends that God do it a more convenient way. As the father of a young child, I can somewhat sympathize. Late nights, early mornings, feeding all the time. Abraham was around 100 years old and my guess is that he didn't want to raise a baby again. Ishmael becomes much more convenient.
I find that I am not so different. When it comes to following God, convenience is preferred over actual effort almost every time. To be honest, there is nothing wrong with pursuing convenience. Unless of course, God has specifically led you in one direction. In our finite minds, we have a warped view of the energy needed to perform any given task. God at times will take us the long route to help us learn (check out the Exodus).
Would it have been easier to pass the blessing on through Ishmael? Maybe, but perhaps it's a 50-50 shot. Is it wiser to follow God's plan over the convenience of our lives? Absolutely, since he knows what is going on. He is about to let a 100 year old man and a 90 year old woman have a baby. This is no accident.
"Father, help me today to see past convenience and follow what You are leading me to do."
Heart and Soul
BAG
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A lot of uncomfortable things take place at the end of this chapter. At least for the men of the Hebrews. Abraham and Sarah receive their new names (a name makes a great difference) if not, then God would not make such an effort to give people certain names.
Verse 18 is insightful to the human condition. God just told Abraham that a nation will be produced out of his new offspring. Abraham recommends that God do it a more convenient way. As the father of a young child, I can somewhat sympathize. Late nights, early mornings, feeding all the time. Abraham was around 100 years old and my guess is that he didn't want to raise a baby again. Ishmael becomes much more convenient.
I find that I am not so different. When it comes to following God, convenience is preferred over actual effort almost every time. To be honest, there is nothing wrong with pursuing convenience. Unless of course, God has specifically led you in one direction. In our finite minds, we have a warped view of the energy needed to perform any given task. God at times will take us the long route to help us learn (check out the Exodus).
Would it have been easier to pass the blessing on through Ishmael? Maybe, but perhaps it's a 50-50 shot. Is it wiser to follow God's plan over the convenience of our lives? Absolutely, since he knows what is going on. He is about to let a 100 year old man and a 90 year old woman have a baby. This is no accident.
"Father, help me today to see past convenience and follow what You are leading me to do."
Heart and Soul
BAG
<><
