QT 9/22/2025 Gen 21:8–13, Consequences of living outside Gods' will is pain

Genesis 21:8–13 (ESV) —

8 And the child grew and was weaned. And Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. 9 But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, laughing. 10 So she said to Abraham, “Cast out this slave woman with her son, for the son of this slave woman shall not be heir with my son Isaac.” 11 And the thing was very displeasing to Abraham on account of his son. 12 But God said to Abraham, “Be not displeased because of the boy and because of your slave woman. Whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for through Isaac shall your offspring be named. 13 And I will make a nation of the son of the slave woman also, because he is your offspring.”

 

NOTE: I believe this is the second time God has told Abraham to listen to his wife in a situation where Abraham disagreed (proving that submission does not mean the husband should act as a tyrant). The fact that Sarah's request violates some of the cultural norms of the time is even more telling. In Sarah's defense, she was also giving Hagar and her son freedom, and she was protecting her own son's inheritance. Ishmael would become an enemy to Israel in time. Today, many Muslims believe it was Ishmael, and not Isaac who traveled up to Moriah for the sacrifice. They base that on the phrase "first-born son," but the text clearly also says Isaac. So, they are also enemies in faith as well as enemies to the world. I say world because of the prophecy, in Gen 16:12.

 

He shall be a wild donkey of a man,

his hand against everyone

and everyone’s hand against him,

and he shall dwell over against all his kinsmen.”

 

I know many have mentioned this point, but Abraham's deception added Hagar to his company, and the couple's (Abraham and Sarah) failure to wait upon God led to Ishmael. The consequences of acting outside the will of God were very painful.

 

I think the same is true for us when we act outside of God's will. We are forgiven when we repent as Abraham and Sarah were, but we still have the consequences. We can only pray, and for believers trust in God's promise:

 

Romans 8:28 (ESV) — 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I seek God in my decisions in life?
2. Do I act without praying?

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you for the insights from your word. I do pray to remain in your will. I pray for protection from the evil one and from temptation to sin. I pray that I would be a godly man and a godly example to those around me.