The Birth of Ishmael
Philadelphia Baptist Church
5/20/2007 Sun. p.m.
The Birth of Ishmael
Genesis 16:1-16
Abram left Haran when he was 75, and was 86 when Ishmael was born (Gen. 16:16). He was 100 when Isaac was born (Gen. 21:5). The 15th chapter has been called Abram's faith chapter. If this be so, perhaps the 16th is his chapter of unbelief.
I. SARAI, ABRAM AND HAGAR. v. 1-6
A. The Plea Of Sarai. v. 1-3
1. Sarai was disappointed that she had no child. v. 1
2. Hagar, as an Egyptian, is a type of a person in the world.
3. She was a slave brought back from the ill-fated trip to Egypt, recorded in Gen. 12:10-20.
4. Hagar means "flight, fugitive or immigrant."
5. Sarai attempts to help God. v. 2 Isa. 28:16
a. It is dangerous to do this today, as then. Some seek to run ahead of God by winning souls by scare tactics, salesmanship and human persuasion. How much better to do our part, and wait for the Holy Spirit to do His work.
b. We need not fear, God can keep his promises.
6. Sarai thought the child would be legally hers. v. 2
7. Abram listened to her, instead of hearing from God. v. 2 Abram was tested many times, but this is one of the tests that he failed.
8. Hagar as a slave had little choice in the matter. v. 3
B. Abram's Action And The Tragic Result. v. 4-6
1. There is no doubt that Abram sinned. v. 4
a. Although his action was consistent with the morals and practices of the time, yet he surely knew better.
b. People today should beware of using Abram as an example, and committing this type of sin.
c. Hagar despised Sarai. She likely felt jealous and superior. v. 4
3. Sarai seeks to shift the blame to Abram. v. 5
4. Abram leaves Hagar in Sarai's care. v. 6
5. She dealt hardly with her. v. 6
6. Hagar fled, a thing forbidden to a slave. v. 6 Prov. 21:9
II. HAGAR'S FLIGHT. v. 7-16
A. Hagar In The Wilderness. v. 7-9
1. She was found in the wilderness by a well. v. 7 The well is a type of Christ. "I am the water of life." A well is also a type of the Word of God. Eph. 5:25-27
2. She was found by the "angel of the Lord." v. 7 (This was the Lord).
3. In this wilderness of sin, we may find Christ in His Word.
4. She is told to return and submit. v. 8,9. She had to learn that the way of the transgressor is hard.
B. The Promise Of The Lord. v. 10-14
1. The seed of Hagar to be multiplied. v. 10. This has been wonderfully fulfilled through the Arabs.
2. God heard her affliction received from Sarai. v. 11
3. Ishmael means "God heareth." v. 11
4. He and his offspring to be wild men. v. 12. That is they were to be untamed and warlike.
5. She recognized the Lord. v. 13,14
C. The Birth Of Ishmael. v. 15-16
1. He was Abram's son, but not the promised seed. v. 15; 1 Cor. 15:46
2. Abram was 86 when Ishmael was born. v. 16
III. LESSONS FROM THIS CHAPTER.
A. The Spiritual Lesson of Gal. 4:19-31.
1. Hagar and Ishmael represent law-works-salvation.
a. The covenant of Sinai leads to bondage.
b. This represents an attempt to help God.
c. There is no faith or grace involved.
d. Ishmael born after the flesh.
2. Sarai and Isaac represent grace-salvation.
a. This is a matter of faith and trust in God.
b. This leads to freedom and liberty in Christ.
c. Isaac born through promise.
3. Sarai (grace) had a handmaid, Hagar (law), who was her servant. The law is our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ.
B. The Tragic Results Of Sin.
1. Thirteen years of barrenness for Abram. Gen. 16:16; 17:1.
2. The far reaching results of Abram's sin. This can be seen in the Israel-Arab conflict down through the centuries till now.
3. The Muslim religion and Mohammed, its founder, are all the offspring of Abram through Hagar.
4. Relate this to the world crisis today!