BUT…
Fourth of seven in God’s Best devotion series
Genesis 17:18-22
Vv. 18-21: “And Abraham said to God, ‘If only Ishmael might live under Your blessing!’ Then God said, ‘Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendents after him. And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation. But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you by this time next year.’”
This God’s Best devotional series is designed to show you why the Middle East is a hotbed of conflict today. Arab nations surround one Jewish state, Israel (Canaan). God promised Abram in Genesis 12:7: “To your offspring I will give this land.” Where’s their peace? God’s best is only received when we wait on His timing.
The title of this devotion, But…has a flip side. First, Abraham wanted to ensure that Ishmael would also receive God’s blessings, but God wanted to impress upon Abraham that His everlasting covenant would come through Isaac. Can you see God’s frustration with Abraham? Pleasing kids isn’t easy, especially when they have their own ideas.
Genesis 18 shows that something astonishing happened next. Abraham saw three men standing near to the entrance of his tent. He rushed up to them, and bowed low to the ground (a show of respect). He begged them to stay, offering them hospitality. He hoped that refreshment would entice them to hang around. But why?
Abraham must have guessed the importance of this unexpected visit. He brought water for the men to wash their feet (feet get dusty wearing sandals when walking in the desert). After everything was prepared, Abraham brought them meat from a choice calf, fresh bread, and milk. While they were eating, Abraham stood close by under a different tree. (Another sign of respect). “Where is Sarah?” they asked Abraham.
“In the tent” Abraham answered. (Sarah was listening, hiding behind the tent flap).
The Lord responded, “I will return about this time next year, after you and Sarah have a son.” (Genesis 18:10).
“Sarah laughed to herself, thinking, After I am worn out, and my master is old, will I have this pleasure?” (Genesis 18:12). But Sarah must have been overjoyed.
“Why are you laughing?” the Lord asked.
“I wasn’t laughing” Sarah lied, blushing.
“Yes you were! Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14).
Take Home Nugget
Isn’t it embarrassing when you’re caught in a lie? But red-faced Sarah might was probably too thrilled to be upset.
Abraham walked with the men a ways, and was told that all nations of the world will be blessed through him. Check out Genesis 18:1-15 to see if one of the men wasn’t the Lord, Himself!
Faith is confident that God ALWAYS does what He promises.
J.D. Griffith
A personal, private lesson experience with our staff
Written for http://www.biblestudyforkids.com/
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment