Genesis 16:1-4 "Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. (2) And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. (3) And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife. (4) And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes."
I mentioned yesterday that though Abram was a great man of faith, there were
times when he tried to fall back onto his own devices. I'm reminded of the
words of Solomon, "There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless
the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand." (Proverbs 19:21) Abram
listened to Sarai when she had determined that she would not be able to bear a
son for him. I believe Sarai was sincere when she wanted to help her husband
have the son that was promised him, but she was sincerely wrong. Then we saw
that Hagar despised Sarai when she had conceived a child. This is the attitude
of the flesh over the spirit. The flesh tends to lift itself up over that which
is spiritual when it is allowed to dominate. This is why we are warned over and
over to not be overcome by our natural tendencies. Paul warned us, "Be not
overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21)
There are repercussions when the flesh is allowed to reign over our actions.
Hagar gave birth to a son and named him Ishmael. Let us see what God had to say
about this boy. "... he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every
man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of
all his brethren." (Genesis 16:12) Although God had made a definite
promise, Abram tried to take control over the situation and have a son from his
own desires. The results of that fleshly decision was a warfare that began
shortly after Isaac, the promised son, was born. There was taunting and mocking
that took place. Hagar and Ishmael were sent away but there is enmity between
these two even to this very day. I hope that I would learn from this situation
that there can be long term effects when the desires of the flesh are entertained.
All we have to do is turn on the news on any given day and we will see the
warfare that occurs as a result of this wrong decision. There are dire
consequences to be experienced when we go against God's design for our lives.
3 Stand up, stand up for Jesus, stand in His strength alone;
the arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the gospel armor, each piece put on with prayer;
where duty calls or danger, be never wanting there.
4 Stand up, stand up for Jesus, the strife will not be long;
this day the noise of battle, the next the victor's song.
To him who over-cometh a crown of life shall be;
they with the King of Glory shall reign eternally.