Abraham – Holding Fast To The Will Of God

• From a human perspective, Abram faced a big problem. His encounter with God only emphasized the problem. It's interesting what Abram asks about first (15:8).
• It was a reasonable question, and God responded by using a ceremony common to the time. Either party who violated the contract would be subject to the animals' fate: death.

• It has been about 10 years since Abram first came to Canaan, longer than that since God first called Abram in Ur. So who came up with a suggestion? Why?
• True, archaeologists tell us that surrogate mothers were a custom of day. Also, Sarai used religious reasoning (16:1-2).
• At this point, Abram makes four major mistakes.

1. A wrong premise - Abram assumed Sarai's reasoning was valid
2. Selfish motives - were Abram and Sarai following Phil. 2:3,4?
3. Prayerlessness - no indication that they consulted God first (recall 14:22,23)
4. Regression - Abram followed the old ways; right motive, wrong method

• This mistake would have a lasting impact that continues to this day. 3 things happened immediately, though.

1. Pride and arrogance - Hagar grew proud and arrogant (16:4) See Prov. 30:21-23
2. Bitterness - Sarai lashes out at Abram (16:5) Is that human nature? We take a step without God's blessing, and instead of blaming ourselves, we attack each other
3. Family tension - With almost unbearable tension in his household, Abram doesn't even take responsibility for his actions (16:6)

• In spite of Abram and Sarai's actions, God showed mercy to Hagar.
• However, there were still consequences.
• Stopping to first ask 'What does God want me to do?' can be scary, because God might actually tell us!

For next week, read Genesis 17:1 - 27