PUTTING HAGAR IN HER PLACE

   Abraham is one the best known characters (though certainly a historical one) in all of Scripture. It is apparent that Abraham was a man of faith that followed the calling of God, though unaware of his destination. Yet, it is evident from the Bible's testimony that even the "greatest" of men make mistakes- even ones relating to God's work. This is one of those examples:

"Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. 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. 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. And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes. And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the Lord judge between me and thee." (Genesis 16:1-5)
 

I confess that this is more of a Bible study than a blog. But it was a tremendous help to me and I hope it will be to you, as well!

   The promises of God were on Abraham's and Sarah's side. It seems as if around every turn in the path of Abraham's life and ministry there was a promise from God to him and Sarah- a reminder that He had not forgotten him and still vowed to keep that which He had promised. If two people on the face of the planet had God's favor and provisions it was Abraham and Sarah!
   In Genesis 12, God gave Abraham a promise of blessing:

"Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:  And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." (Vs. 1-3)

 

 God promised to bless Abraham and make a great nation of him. He also promised to bless those who blessed this nation and that, at some point, all the families of the earth would be blessed by Abraham.
   God also gave Abraham a promise of a child in Genesis 13:14-17:

"And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:  For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee."
 

At the moment this promise was given, Abraham was about eighty years old and Sarah was around seventy. The possibility of having a child at that age did not seem very great. Yet, God promised to do the impossible and give Abraham and Sarah their very own child through child birth. It was something only God could have done.

   Though there is more to the Abrahamic covenant than just these few points, the last promise of emphasis is the promise of multiplication given in Genesis 15:1-6):

"After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.  And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. And, behold, the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness."
 

   Though God had clearly given Abraham and Sarah the promise to intervene for them, the rest of our text reveals the unending struggle for God's people: the provocation of the flesh. Hagar was an Egyptian. In Scripture, Egypt is typically a picture of the world or the flesh- as it is in this passage. Yet, in this particular story it is more specifically a picture of humanism.

   Hagar came into the Abrahamic family as Sarah's maid (Vs. 2 and 3). The presence of the servant became a way of life. Though the Egyptian was not to be of the chosen line, she was there to be a servant to Sarah and Abraham. She was not to be at the center of God's plan. She was there to be a worker that would serve toward the greater cause. Hagar is a picture of the flesh lusting against the Spirit.

   Beginning in verse 2, Abraham and Sarah are seen yielding to the flesh rather than trusting in God to fulfill His promise to give Sarah a child. Though Hagar did have a son, it was not the son of promise because it was not done the way that God had commanded.

   Many times, we try to do things in our own power and with own fleshly motives- rather than how God has designed. God has promised that if we go, preach the Gospel, and make disciples, that He will be with us. This is a promise from God. However, often instead of serving because of our promising God, we do it for emotion-sake or hope we might be acknowleged for doing so. To be motivated by the need of the lost to the neglect of a desire to obey God and please Him is humanism.

   We have also changed the Gospel into a humanistic message. Instead of preaching about the holiness of the Judge of all men, we preach about the happiness of all men. Even the emphasis of heaven and hell, to the exclusion of God or separation from Him, is a humanistic approach. It is an attempt to appeal to the flesh of hearers, rather than their true spiritual need. One can scream "repent or perish" all he/she wants. However, until hearers understand why they would perish, they will never see the spiritual need. They have broken the Law of the Righteous Judge and the justice of a thrice-holy God demands their payment- death and separation from God. Hell is just a buy-product of separation from God. We have substituted the appetizer as the main course of our message. It is humanism.

   Yeilding to the flesh always leads to the production of disobedience.

"And the angel of the Lord said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude. And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Behold, thou art with child and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the Lord hath heard thy affliction. And 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 16:10-12)
 

 Their disobedience to God's command and the notion to attempt this feat according to the flesh resulted in the birth of Ishmael, who is considered by Islamists to be the true son of promise (the Koranic writings pervert this story)- not Isaac. Ishmael was a "wild man." He would be uncontrollable.

   Abraham and Sarah sought a physical birth. Sarah is a picture of the church. As the church, we are in search of spiritual births. Preaching a man-centered gospel produces false converts. Just as Abraham and Sarah took a humanistic approach and saw a "wild man" as a product, many times we take a man-centered approach to preaching the Gospel (we use joy, peace, fulfillment, escape from hell, or even the bliss of heaven as a draw-card). And we wonder why our converts are out living like "wild" people. Our preaching, whether realized or not, is an attempt to stimulate fleshly emotions, and not an effort to appeal to the true spiritual need. It is an attempt to "conceive" spiritual children without the supernatural aid of the Holy Spirit, who is the one who actually does the quickening. It is an extra-biblical approach.

   I do not, however, believe that we should leave hell out of our message. But I do think that we need to make it abundantly clear that hell is a buy-product of separation from God. To emphasize a sin that separates from God is to appeal to the spirit- not the flesh. If one cannot be with God in perfect fellowship and communion, all that is left is emnity with God and subsequently Hell.

   God gave Hagar as a servant to Sarah. Yet, Sarah became expectant upon Hagar's ability to produce. Our bodies, our flesh was made to glorify God. Emotion is not a bad attribute (after all, God is the One who gave it to us). Nevertheless, when our spiritual productivity becomes dependent on the flesh (or anything related to it), "the work of God" (which is a spiritual work) becomes servant to the creation of God- our flesh.
   It should also be noted that unrealistic, fleshly expectations are also a pitfall. We have made the salvation of souls the goal- rather than obedience to God's command to go into all the world and preach the Gospel. A quick fix is no fix at all in God's work. It follows the same reasoning as the comparison between cloning and child-birth. One is artificial and the other is a living soul. Likewise, aritificial motives and goals force us into taking extreme measures and produces artificial result.

"And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands." (Verse 9)
 

   This is God's plan for Hagar (the flesh): be a servant to Sarah (the church)- not a master. The flesh should be an instrument that serves the spiritual needs of the church. It's time to put Hagar in her place!

   Anytime there is a promise of God there will always be a provision of God. In Genesis 17:7, the Almighty God (El Shaddai) tells Abraham the reason for all three afore mentioned promises (blessing, child, and multiplication):

"And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee."
 

    All aspects of the promises relate to and contribute to the everlasting covenant. God made provision for every promise, including a child:

"And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him." (Genesis 17:19)
"For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac." (Genesis 21:2-3)
 

    As far as human instrumentality is concerned, the birth of this child by Sarah was the gateway through which the promises of God (everlasting covenant) would flow. Moses and the Law would come from this line. King David would come from this seed. And ultimately, our Lord Jesus would take a body of this line, as well!

God also made provision for the promise of blessing. Galatians 3:6-7 sheds light on this provision:

"Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham."

 

    Those who put their faith and trust in Christ for the forgiveness of sins are blessed because of Abraham's faith in God to fulfill that which He had promised. Great things are available to those who trust in the promises of God, rather than their own abilities.

We know of the promises to the Jews. But what to the Gentiles?

"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." (Galatians 3:13-14)
 

    Though I believe there to be a definite distinction between Israel and the Church, God has opened the door for the Gentiles to experience the same "blessing" of the "everlasting covenant" that the descendents of Abraham were promised. Christ is the fulfillment of this promise- in both respects.

   God has fulfilled His promises of blessing and children, and has begun to fulfill His promise of multiplication and will continue to do so:

"And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham." (Galatians 3:8-9)
 

    Sarah is picture of the church- the body through which the promise of God was to come to pass. When Sarah tried to force the promises of God to come to pass through the flesh/world, the promise remained unfulfilled. The promise was to flow through God's ordained body. The everlasting covenant of Abraham will never reach "all nations" unless it is fulfilled through the body of Christ. God has promised. But as God needed a human instrument in Sarah, He needs us to bring the covenant to all nation- that His promise might be fulfilled. But being a human instrument requires putting Hagar in her place. We must starve the flesh and feed the spirit- especially when it comes to ministry!

IN THE FATHER'S ARMS

   There are countless moments in a father's life that brings pleasure. But some of the greatest moments in my life, as a father, are those moments when one of my children are distressed and the only comfort that can be found is in my arms. That moment when they are completely sufficed in my arms literally takes my breath away. It produces a joy inside of me that is almost incomparable. That moment, knowing that my solace is all that they desire, brings tears of joy to my eyes.   When a person is born of God's Spirit, repenting of sin and trusting in Christ alone for salvation, he/ she becomes a son/ daughter of God. Every good and perfect gift comes from God the Father. He is the only One who can provide for our every need. In the midst of trials, tribulations and persecution; there is peace, comfort and contentment in the arms of the Father.
   God desires that everyone of his children, whether in times of happiness or sadness, find their comfort and contentment in His ever-peaceful arms. When the children of God cast themselves into the arms of the Father, it brings Him glory, honor, praise, and pleasure. He is pleased to know that the sons and daughters of God have acknowledged that which has always been: in His arms is the only place of peace of comfort. In fact, to dwell in His arms of provision on a daily basis is the very reason that we were created. When we rely wholly upon Him, we are living our lives for Him. Thus, God is glorified in our dependency upon Him, as we echo the words of Scripture: "All things were created by Him and FOR Him." (Colossians 1:16b)
MAY THE CHILDREN OF GOD DWELL IN THE VERY PLACE THAT GOD INTENDED FOR THEM TO BE: IN THE FATHER'S ARMS.

The Intersection of Light and Life

LIGHT AND LIFE

"In him was life; and the life was the light of men." - John 1:4

   This is one of the most relevant and applicable verses in all of Scripture. All that mankind knows is darkness. It is why there is disease, suffering, war, and death. Finite man knows nothing of light- only darkness. Jesus, Himself, said it best: "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world (speaking of Himself), and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." (John 3:19) Darkness is not just all that human beings know, it is that which we love.
   The very act of rebellion is often exhilarating. There is pleasure in an act of defiance, which makes us feel like nothing else can. Though it seems enjoyable in the moment, it is still darkness. One cannot find his/ her way in darkness- not without light to guide the way. Job said, "They grope in the dark without light." What a depressing way too live; to grope in darkness, looking for something of hope to grasp- yet, unable to locate anything in the darkness. The scope of the need for light goes far beyond this discription (please refer to link for more info: http://all4thegloryofchrist.blogspot.com/2011/02/believing-in-something.html.) Yet, the need for light was and still is obvious.
"In Him was life..."
   Darkness is a picture of death. In actuality, without light there is no vitality- no life! The warmth of light is that which gives life and sustenance to all of creation. Darkness is a picture of who we truly are. Though the reasons sometimes go deeper than this, many of the suicides that take place are a result of individuals seeing nothing but darkness. The chief end for all who perish in darkness is an eternity in a place called hell, separated from the only source of life- the Creator, Himself. In Him is all things needed. He is holy- separate and unable to even be compared to others. He is the standard. He is omniscient; all-knowing. He is omnipresent; everywhere at all time. This means that He knows no darkness. He is omnipotent; all-powerful. He is immutable- never changing. He is the source of mercy, which rewards not that which is deserved. He is the source of grace, supplying that which is not deserved and cannot be earned. He is majestic- solitude in His character and attributes. He is One to be admired and in awe of. In summary, He is everything that mankind is not and that which we never can be in our own ability.
   Yet, two thousand years ago, this very God became a man- Jesus of Nazareth. He became man without ceasing to be God. He was literally God robed in mortal flesh. If a human being puts on a robe, it does not make the person any less human under the robe. The individual has not lessened or diminished themselves in any way. It is simply adding something to the exterior. Likewise, Jesus became man without ceasing to be God.
   Jesus took a body- being born of a virgin, with no earthly father. He was Holy-Spirit-conceived into the womb of Mary, preserving His deity. God was now living life as a human being. He was living and breathing as a human, among other humans. He did something that no other man could ever do: He live His entire life, having never sinned one, single time. He lived and led a sinless, spotless, shamless. blameless life. Yet, God became a man. "In Him was life..."
   All of human life and existence results in death. Death is a result of the sin on mankind. Were there no sin, there would be no death. However, both are prevalent and inevitable. Yet, those in the past and present, as well as those who will be in the future, all find one point in human history to look to as a focal point of life beyond the grave. Midst the deadness of all of human history, shines forth the life that dwelt inside of Jesus. It was eternal life- of which He is the only source.
... and the life was the light of the world."
   For some peculiar reason, mankind loves darkness. Though many be offered a torch, they still refuse the light. Why? Because all of mankind is depraved. We come short of attaining the light because, truth be told, we love the darkness. A human being's best, noblest effort is still merely unrighteousness- just more darkness. In fact, the only way one could ever know of light is if the light is seen and sought out.
   God became a human life to provide light to those in darkness. His life was only a means to bring about His death. Yet, His death brought forth life- eternal life. Jesus volintarily experienced greater darkness than anyone could ever imagine- both physically and spiritually. He took upon Him every darkness, every sin, that was rightly ours. The prophet Isaiah prophesied over six hundred years before God's advent as a man, "He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:5-6) While dying as mankind's sacrifice, He became every act of darkness that has ever been commited or would ever be committed.
   Through His life, He did two things that you and I could never do. As was afore mentioned, He lived a substitutionary, sinless life that you and I could never live on our own. Second, He died for sin and went to heaven. If you and I were to die for our sins, we would not go to heaven. We would go to hell. The payment for sin is death (Romans 6:23,) and there is going to be a day when death and hell are cast into the lake of fire together (Revelation 20:14.)
   Jesus' life as a human being was necissary for His vicarious death. However, it does not end with just His death. After three day, just as He predicted, He arose from the grave- victorious over death, hell, the grave, and darkness. Thus, through one substituionary act, Jesus provided light and eternal life for all who grope in darkness.
   Two thousand years later, the light still shines in darkness. Is God shining His light upon you today? He is the only source of light. Do not bother looking anywhere else. Look into the light and follow the light. It will inevitably lead you to Jesus. He offers eternal life... life that can be a present possession and will be redeemed when the life in our mortal body ceases. Through the power of His drawing Spirit, turn from darkness to light! Turn from sin to righteousness! Turn to the light today!
    There is a need for all to hear of the light that shines. The Great Commandment of our Lord was to go "into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15) His life cannot be "the light of men" if one never hears. It is the responsibility of all who have this life to do best to make sure that others know of this life.
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" - Romans 10:9-14

MEDITATION

Meditation is not a strange noise made by Catholic monks who have fallen into a trance. The word itself means "reflection or devotion, in a prayerful state of mind." Here is what Spurgeon had to say about meditation:
"I quarry out the Truth when I read, but I smelt the ore and get the pure gold out of it when I meditate!...For lack of meditation the Truth of God runs by us and we miss and lose it. Our treacherous memory is like a sieve—and what we hear and what we read runs through it and leaves but little behind—and that little is often unprofitable to us by reason of our lack of diligence to get thoroughly at it. I often find it very profitable to get a text as a sweet morsel under my tongue in the morning and to keep the flavor of it, if I can, in my mouth all day!" - C. H. Spurgeon
I have found that my greatest memories of communion in His Word do not come from the times that I read through the Bible swiftly. Rather, my greatest times of communion have been times of solemn, reflective meditation upon His Word.