The Apocaloptic Divorce
Notes
Transcript
Genesis 21:1-21
Genesis 21:1-21
The Lord came to Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what He had promised. Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the appointed time God had told him. Abraham named his son who was born to him—the one Sarah bore to him—Isaac. When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God had commanded him. Abraham was 100 years old when his son Isaac was born to him. Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and everyone who hears will laugh with me.” She also said, “Who would have told Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne a son for him in his old age.” The child grew and was weaned, and Abraham held a great feast on the day Isaac was weaned. But Sarah saw the son mocking —the one Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham. So she said to Abraham, “Drive out this slave with her son, for the son of this slave will not be a coheir with my son Isaac!” Now this was a very difficult thing for Abraham because of his son. But God said to Abraham, “Do not be concerned about the boy and your slave. Whatever Sarah says to you, listen to her, because your offspring will be traced through Isaac. But I will also make a nation of the slave’s son because he is your offspring.” Early in the morning Abraham got up, took bread and a waterskin, put them on Hagar’s shoulders, and sent her and the boy away. She left and wandered in the Wilderness of Beer-sheba. When the water in the skin was gone, she left the boy under one of the bushes. Then she went and sat down nearby, about a bowshot away, for she said, “I can’t bear to watch the boy die!” So as she sat nearby, she wept loudly. God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What’s wrong, Hagar? Don’t be afraid, for God has heard the voice of the boy from the place where he is. Get up, help the boy up, and support him, for I will make him a great nation.” Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the waterskin and gave the boy a drink. God was with the boy, and he grew; he settled in the wilderness and became an archer. He settled in the Wilderness of Paran, and his mother got a wife for him from the land of Egypt.
Joy
Joy
God’s prophecy fulfilled
God’s prophecy fulfilled
This is evidential and not based on result. The birth of Isaac is evidence that Yahweh is a god of His word, and is faithful.
This is evidential and not based on result. The birth of Isaac is evidence that Yahweh is a god of His word, and is faithful.
God’s promised kept
God’s promised kept
Again, the birth of Isaac, despite the “laughing” belief of Abraham and Sarah. Despite the “oldness” of Sarah and Abraham and despite the temptation regarding Abimelech, God’s promise was established.
Again, the birth of Isaac, despite the “laughing” belief of Abraham and Sarah. Despite the “oldness” of Sarah and Abraham and despite the temptation regarding Abimelech, God’s promise was established.
God’s plan in full execution
God’s plan in full execution
Even though God allows for Ishmael to be conceived and birthed, Isaac is still the promised son of Abraham and Sarah. Although Ishmael is oldest, he was not promised to Abraham nor to Sarah, even though customary laws allowed for this compromise of inheritance.
Even though God allows for Ishmael to be conceived and birthed, Isaac is still the promised son of Abraham and Sarah. Although Ishmael is oldest, he was not promised to Abraham nor to Sarah, even though customary laws allowed for this compromise of inheritance.
Jealousy
Jealousy
Mankind’s unintended consequences
Mankind’s unintended consequences
These are consequences suffered through and by the failure of seeing the “big picture” or the failure to see the peripheral and indirect subject
These are consequences suffered through and by the failure of seeing the “big picture” or the failure to see the peripheral and indirect subject
Mankind’s unforeseen damages
Mankind’s unforeseen damages
These are consequences experienced through and by the failure of “foreknowledge” or “seeing” a plan through to a “natural conclusion” before executing the plan
These are consequences experienced through and by the failure of “foreknowledge” or “seeing” a plan through to a “natural conclusion” before executing the plan
Mankind’s unexpected burdens
Mankind’s unexpected burdens
These are consequences endured through and by the failure of prior preparation, poor execution and improper conclusions of belief
These are consequences endured through and by the failure of prior preparation, poor execution and improper conclusions of belief
Distressed
Distressed
At God - Why not Ishmael, why he is not part of God’s plan? Exclusive, very particular, detail oriented. Harsh
At God - Why not Ishmael, why he is not part of God’s plan? Exclusive, very particular, detail oriented. Harsh
At Himself - How did he allow this to happen? How can this be? How is Ishmael going to survive? How is this fair and just?
At Himself - How did he allow this to happen? How can this be? How is Ishmael going to survive? How is this fair and just?
At Sarah - What was she thinking? What is she doing, does she not realize that Ishmael is my son too?
At Sarah - What was she thinking? What is she doing, does she not realize that Ishmael is my son too?
Divorced
Divorced
Sent away
Sent away
Abraham divorces Hagar, this divorce occurs not because of God’s plan, but because of mankind’s. Hagar was not part of God’s promise, plan, or prophecy. God did not join Abraham and Hagar, Sarah did.
Abraham divorces Hagar, this divorce occurs not because of God’s plan, but because of mankind’s. Hagar was not part of God’s promise, plan, or prophecy. God did not join Abraham and Hagar, Sarah did.
Emancipation
Emancipation
The Hebrew word for Divorce is the same word for freedom. It comes with the fact that responsibility has now been placed upon the individual. Hagar no longer has the protection of “slavery” but now must provide for herself and her son. This leads to an overwhelming of reality.
The Hebrew word for Divorce is the same word for freedom. It comes with the fact that responsibility has now been placed upon the individual. Hagar no longer has the protection of “slavery” but now must provide for herself and her son. This leads to an overwhelming of reality.
Conclusion
Conclusion
We live in society today that has become focused on the “self evident” theories of humanity, instead of the “conformist” theory of humanity. God is separates His plan from ours and we are witnessing this every single day as He prepares His world for His return.
We live in society today that has become focused on the “self evident” theories of humanity, instead of the “conformist” theory of humanity. God is separates His plan from ours and we are witnessing this every single day as He prepares His world for His return.