The life of a child of God is one of valleys and mountain-tops. Solomon expressed it as a "time to weep and a time to laugh". All of us have experienced this truth in our own lives, and we have certainly seen it in our study of the life of Abraham. This chapter begins with a mountaintop experience...the long awaited birth of Isaac, the promised son.
I. Mountaintop: Note the Significance of Isaac's Birth v1-8
A. His birth was the fulfillment of God's promise.
1. When God had called Abraham He promised to make of him a great nation.
2. He repeatedly promised to give the land to Abraham's descendants, and to multiply them greatly.
3. He told them specifically that Abraham would be the father and that Sarah would be the mother.
4. Isaac's birth reminds us that God keeps His promises, in His own way, and in His own time.
B. His birth also meant the rewarding of patience.
1. Abraham and Sarah waited 25 years for their son to be born.
2. Hebrews 10:36, "For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
3. When God wants to build our patience, He gives us promises, sends us trials, and tells us to trust Him.
C. His birth was the revelation of God's power.
1. This is one reason that God waited so long.
2. He wanted Abraham and Sarah to be "as good as dead" so their son's birth would be a miracle of God and not a marvel of human nature. Note: Romans 4:19-21
3. Faith in God's promises releases God's power for He is "able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." (Eph. 3:20)
D. His birth was a step toward the accomplishing of God's purpose.
1. The future redemption of a lost world rested in the birth a little boy.
2. Isaac would beget Jacob and would give the world the twelve tribes of Israel.
3. From Israel would come the Messiah.
E. His birth is a picture of the child of God.
1. Isaac was born by grace through faith, not through the power of the flesh.
2. His birth brought great joy.
a. Nowhere do we read that Ishmael's birth brought joy to the house of Abraham.
b. Notice the obvious joy over Isaac's birth. (laughter & feasting)
c. Jesus speaks of the joy over the lost being saved in Luke 15.
3. He grew and matured.
a. When we are born again it is only the beginning.
b. We must feed on God's Word to grow and mature in Christ.
c. As we mature we put away childish things.
d. The time comes in every believer's life that the toys be replaced with tools to serve our Lord.
4. Isaac was born free while Ishmael was the son of a slave.
I. Mountaintop: Note the Significance of Isaac's Birth v1-8
The joy and laughter surrounding the mountain-top experience didn't last long. Soon Abraham found his home a place of bitter conflict. [4]
Note: The conflicts in Abraham's home could be solved in any one of four ways:
II. Valley: Note Conflicts over Isaac's Birth v9-13
A. Ishmael's Mockery. v9
1. Ishmael was around 14 years old now.
2. Up to this time there seemed to be little conflict, but now Isaac was on the scene and was most definitely the center of attention.
3. We don't know what the mocking was all about but it may have been Ishmael making fun of Abraham or of Isaac.
4. Either way Sarah was upset.
B. Sarah's Message. v10
1. Hagar must go, along with her son.
2. She had dealt harsh with Hagar previously and Hagar had run away.
(Genesis 16:6) But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face.
3. Now, she tells Abraham to "Cast out this bondwoman and her son."
4. Before we are too harsh on Sarah let us note that God agreed with her! cf v12
C. Abraham's Sorrow.
1. He didn't want to cast out Hagar and Ishmael.
2. He loved his son, and it grieved him to send them away.
3. It is never easy to "cut off' the flesh, and that is what he was doing by sending away Ishmael.
4. Isaac was representative of Gods grace and Ishmael man's works.
D. God's Mercy. v12?21
1. Abraham was faced with the command of God...do what Sarah said! (v12-13)
2. Along with God's command came His comfort.
a. He reminded Abraham that Isaac was the one through whom the promise would come.
b. But He would also make a great nation of Ishmael because he also was of Abraham's seed.
3. God provided for Hagar. v14?21
a. She was cast out. v14
b. She was crushed down. v15-16
c. She was caught up. v17-21
As we consider the faith of Abraham, we are reminded once again that God gives us the total picture here. We see the mountain top experience as well as the valley of conflict. We are also reminded that we all will go through similar situations. There will be times of joy and times of sorrow…but we are to live by faith…believing God's Word!