Genesis - Part 28

If you want it bad . . .

Meeting Purpose

To discuss God's orchestration of events and analyze Abraham and Sarah's decision-making in Genesis 16.

Key Takeaways

-             God orchestrates events in human lives according to His sovereign plan, using both natural and supernatural means

-             Abraham and Sarah's decision to have a child through Hagar was based on human logic but lacked God's wisdom

-             The story of Hagar and Ishmael is more nuanced than often portrayed, with Hagar playing a significant role

Topics

God's Orchestration of Events

-             God uses both natural and supernatural means to fulfill His plans

-             Everything happens according to God's sovereign plan, even if not immediately apparent

-             God's orchestration is evident in biblical stories and continues in our lives today

Abraham's Interactions with God

-             Multiple conversations between God and Abraham established promises and covenants

-             Key promises: making Abraham a great nation, blessing him, giving land to his offspring

-             God reaffirmed His promises to Abraham multiple times over the years

Decision-Making: Logic vs. Wisdom

-             Human logic often fails to account for God's wisdom

-             Wisdom is rooted in the fear of the Lord and should filter our logical thinking

-             Abraham and Sarah relied too heavily on their own logic without seeking God's wisdom

Analysis of Genesis 16

-             Sarah's suggestion to use Hagar came after 10 years of waiting for a child

-             The text doesn't explicitly condemn their actions, but consequences followed

-             Abraham's passivity in the situation is notable

Hagar's Significance

-             Hagar is the only woman recorded to give God a name: "You are a God of seeing"

-             She received a unique promise about her descendants

-             Hagar submitted to Sarah after her encounter with the angel of the Lord

God's Master Plan

-             God's plan involves us but doesn't require our help to succeed

-             Our best decisions come when we align with God's wisdom

-             God brings forth both the desire and effort for us to work out our salvation

Next Steps

-             Reflect on how to better incorporate God's wisdom in decision-making processes

-             Study other biblical examples of human logic vs. divine wisdom

-             Consider the broader implications of God's orchestration in personal lives and current events

So What

•      God has a “master plan”; weaving a tapestry

•      That plan involves us and is for us

•      That plan does not need our help

•      Our logic without His wisdom? – failed successes at best

•      Our logic with His wisdom? – see things more clearly

12 So then, my dear friends, . . . continue working out your salvation with awe and reverence, 13 for the one bringing forth in you both the desire and the effort—for the sake of his good pleasure—is God.   Philippians 2:12–13 (NET 2nd)