Scripture Reading- Genesis 16-17

This Week’s Memory Verse:

(8)  By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

Hebrews 11:8

Highlight:

(1) Now Sarai Abram’s wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.
(2) And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.
(3) And Sarai Abram’s wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.
(4) And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.

Genesis 16:1-4

Explanation:
God had told Abram that he would be the father of many nations. This obviously meant that he needed to have children. I’m sure it must have been difficult waiting for them both to wait for Sarai to conceive. Their faith was put to the limits when God was making promises and the fulfillment of those promises seemed to be delayed. Sarai decided to rely on social tradition for the fulfillment of God’s promise rather than waiting on the miracle. She told Abram to do something sinful in conceiving a child through her servant, and the implications of all that happened through that pregnancy were both immediate and lasting.

Application:
When we rush ahead of God we make life way more complicated. We sin, and suffer the consequences. It is in moments where God does not seem to be doing what He promised that we need to trust God and be faithful and obedient. I’m so thankful that we have the example of people in the scripture to learn from. It’s far easier to read and learn than live and learn. Our God is a promise keeping God. We must believe and behave accordingly.

Response:
God, help me to trust You today, and express that trust through obedience.