Things Written Aforetime For Our Learning - Gleanings From Genesis

by N.D.W.Miller | Category: For Young Believers | Aug 1936

"And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had borne unto Abraham, mocking" (Gen. 21. 9). This mocking on the part of Ishmael was hard to bear; it was really a form of persecution. Hence, Paul says to the Galatians, "Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now" (Chapter 4.). He also points out in the same chapter that "these two women - Hagar and Sarah-" are two covenants." Hagar represents the old covenant from Mount Sinai, "and answereth to the Jerusalem that now is ... in bondage with her children"; while Sarah, speaking broadly, is the principle of the New Covenant, and here represents "the Jerusalem that is above," which is free, and "which is our mother." When Sarah saw Ishmael mocking, "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." This word, though "very grievous in Abraham's sight," was all-important in that it was according to God's pre-determined counsels. And, what Sarah said that day became scripture. "What saith the scripture? Cast out the handmaid and her son: for the son of the handmaid shall not inherit with the son of the freewoman." And based upon that it is good to know that" we are not children of a handmaid, but of the freewoman"; and to remember that " with freedom did Christ set us free." Hence the exhortation, "Stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage" (Galatians 4. 30, 81). "Christ set us free." Precious words

In fulfilling His purposes God was very gracious to Abraham, knowing, as only God could know, the place that Ishmael had in his father's heart. "And God said ... Let it not be grievous in thy sight ... in all that Sarah saith unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called. And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed." So Abraham responded, and, rising early in the morning, he took bread and a bottle of water, "and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beer-Sheba." Abraham, mistakenly, would fain have kept Ishmael; but he had to go. And so is it still with the spirit of faith, which Abraham exemplifies : all of law, or bondage must needs be given up. Onward and upward is the path of faith.

"Hagar ... wandered in the wilderness of Beer-Sheba." Poor Hagar! What a picture of loneliness and sorrow! Abraham's provision-" the water in -the bottle," was soon spent. Weary and sad, she " cast the child under one of the shrubs. And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not look upon the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice and wept." Truly, "the heart knoweth its own bitterness." And again we say, viewing things from the human standpoint---poor Hagar! Alone; brokenhearted ; an empty bottle no water and to all appearances, her child being left to die. Could you conceive a much more pathetic picture ? But is there no hope -? " When my father and my mother forsake me, the LORD will take me up," said the Psalmist (Psalm 27. 10, R.V.M.). Truly, "man's extremity is God's opportunity." Do we sometimes sing

Is the wilderness before thee,

Desert lands where drought abides?

Heavenly springs shall there restore thee

Fresh from God's exhaustless tides.

In the desert God will teach thee

What the God that thou hast found;

Patient, gracious, powerful, holy;

All His grace shall there abound."

And so it was. "God heard the voice of the lad." Not Hagar's voice, as far as recorded, but " the voice of the lad." Only a lad, for whom nobody seemed to care but Hagar. But ah ! God cared. Yes ! "All is right that seems most wrong, if, Lord, it be Thy will."

"And the Angel of God called to Hagar out of Heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not ; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is. Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation." Who but God the God who alone doeth wondrous things, could speak and act thus? "And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water ; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink." Abraham's bottle, typical indeed of human resources, was soon spent. It takes God to provide the welt. Is He not Himself the "Fountain of Living Waters ? " And is not His superlative and supreme Gift, CHRIST, "the deep sweet well of love ?

With what joy must Hagar have hastened for the longed-for, and cooling, draught! "And God was with the lad, and he grew; a ad he dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer."

"Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel,

Who only doeth wondrous things:

And blessed be His glorious Name for ever"

(Psalm 72.).

Reverting to Abraham: when he acted in accordance with God's purpose in the casting out of the bond-woman and her son, it is evident that God's dealings with him, and especially the birth of Isaac-so contrary to nature, had a far reaching influence. For "it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phicol the captain of his host spake unto Abraham, saying, God is with thee in all that thou doest." The favour which God shewed to Abraham was evident. Abimelech's word- "God is with thee in all that thou doest," is a great word. It came in fittingly in God's preparing of Abraham for his greatest trial; and, what proved to be, the greatest victory of his faith. When Abimelech had returned to his own land, we read that "Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beer-sheba, and called there on the Name of the LORD, THE EVERLASTING GOD."

Never before Isaac's birth is the LORD called by this Name. As to how much Abraham knew of the ineffable fulness expressed by this Divine title, we cannot say. But it is precious to recall bow, time and again, the LORD was pleased to reveal Himself to Abraham. First, as the God of Glory; then, in glorious succession, as God Most High, Possessor of Heaven and Earth;' as Shield, and Exceeding Great Reward; and, as God Almighty. Then, at last, having for long years been permitted to prove God in all His goodness, and mercy, and faithfulness; Abraham called on the Name of the LORD, the Everlasting God. What do we know of it? "Hast thou not known? hast thou not, heard? THE EVERLASTING GOD, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary ; there is no searching of His understanding. He giveth power to the faint ; and to him that hath no might He increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: but they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint"(Isaiah 40.).

"And it came to pass after these things, that God did prove Abraham."

N.D.W.Miller | Aug 1936
For Young Believers