Reflections from January 10, 2011

Today we read interesting points in the history of the Middle East when Sarai turns to Abram and says you may be with my maid Hagar. Ishmael is born, but before that, Sarai is upset that she conceives, and Hagar flees from her. Genesis 16:10 tells us of a meeting between Hagar and an angel who said to her,

"I will multiply your descendants exceedingly so that they shall not be counted for multitude."

Ishmael was blessed by God, and his descendants became mighty nations as well; however, they are not included in the covenant with God. Many believe that Arabs today are those descendants.

Abram learns of his blessing and how God will establish nations through him in Genesis 17:4-8 where God says to Abram,

"As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. No longer shall you name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God."

This tells us that the covenant is still in existence today by the words "an everlasting covenant". That means there is still a covenant with these people today.

Sarai, who is also renamed by God as Sarah, is having a chuckle over the thought of her becoming pregnant. She happens to hear the visitors of Abraham tell him of her conceiving, and she laughs. They accuse her of this, and tell her in Genesis 18:14,

"Is anything too hard for the Lord?"

The answer is no, there is nothing too hard for God. Sarah and Abraham realize this, and remain righteous before God.

Blessings to all