(Text: Genesis 21:9)
And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking.
FOCUS :
The effect of the birth of Isaac, a work of the Spirit, was to make manifest the character of Ishmael, a work of the flesh. The end result of the “mocking” was that Ishmael actually desired to murder Isaac.
Galatians 4:29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
Ishmael was probably eighteen to twenty years old at this time. Isaac and Ishmael symbolize the new and old natures of the believers. Hagar and Sarah typify the two convents of works and Grace, of bondage and liberty. The birth of the new nature demands the expulsion of the old. Is is impossible to improve the old nature. However, foolish, therefore, appears the doctrine of moral evolution. Allowed to remain, Ishmael would murder Isaac; allowed to remain, the flesh will murder the Spirit.
Genesis 21:10 Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac.
In addition, it is always a struggle to cast out this element of bondage, that is, salvation by works, of which this is a type. For legalism is dear to the heart. Ishmael was the fruit and, to Abraham, the fair fruit of his own energy and planning, which God can never accept. The Divine way of holiness is to “put off the old man,” just as Abraham “put off” Ishmael. Man’s way of holiness is to improve the “old nature,” that is, to improve Ishmael. The effort is both foolish and hopeless.
Genesis 21:10 Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac.
Finally, It is labor lost to seek to make a crooked thing straight. Hence, all efforts after the improvement of nature are utterly futile, so far as God is concerned. THE “FLESH” MUST GO, which typifies the personal ability, strength, and efforts of the Believer. The Faith of the Believer must be entirely in Christ and what Christ has done at the cross. Then, and then alone, can the Holy Spirit have latitude to work in our lives, bringing forth perpetual victory. It must ever be understood, “in Isaac (in Christ) shall your seed be called.
Genesis 21:12 And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.
Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Out of this “work of the flesh” ultimately came the religion of Islam, which claims that Ishmael is the promised seed, and not Isaac.
Genesis 21:13 And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed.
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Thank you Holy Spirit
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T.O AKINSANYA
PRINCE ORATORTEE