Works
of the Flesh
Read: Genesis 16:1-16
Recall, if you will, God’s promise in 15:1-6 whereas God
promised Abram a son—4out of
his own bowels in response to Abram’s question in 2what wilt thou give me, seeing I go
childless, and the steward of this house is Eliezer of Damascus?
Then in vs.4 God said, this shall not be thine heir; but he that cometh forth out of thine own
bowels shall be thine heir. 5…seed was to be innumerable. 6
and he believed the Lord; and He counted
it to him for righteousness.
There is a great lesson for you and me, for
often when we hear God’s voice, if it seems too preposterous, with given
circumstances, and we proceed to attempt to fulfill God’s promise in our own
flesh, that God will always give us a second chance; not to mention that He
still counts it as righteousness simply because we believed [were convinced and
persuaded] that God was able and willing. Abram did just that; first by
proposing to God in 15:2 that his seed would come through his servant Eliezer
and 2nd in 16:1-15 through Hagar the Egyptian handmaid [slave] .
Eliezer, by some scholars, is supposed the wisest and
eldest of Abram’s household servants; as such Abram is suggesting to the Lord
God, that Eliezer be the heir to his possessions (15:2-3); but the Lord has
different plans for the man of God. (15:4).
Author’s Note: I must concede this has been
one of the most interesting studies of Genesis thus far. Chock full of insights
and history vital to contemporary living both secular and Christian, giving
valuable insights into the ancient history. Many of us know of one whose barren womb has
preempted contemplating surrogacy.
The story is chronicled
centuries long before artificial insemination, test tube babies, cloning,
genetic modification, and modern science’s attempts to create a human being. It demonstrates man’s futile attempts to play god with the pretense of benefiting
mankind. [Remember Satan’s edict to Eve in the Garden concerning eating of the
forbidden fruit; your eyes shall be
opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil 3:5b.] And further
illustrates man’s futility and finiteness in creating more trouble for himself
than intended. An added benefit serves to admonish those considering surrogacy
to pay heed to the consequences. Attorneys may or may not disclose all the
consequences, some on grounds of financial loss or gain.
Ancient Custom of Surrogates
Understanding ancient laws
and customs are key many OT passages. From the outset, one might conclude Abram
to be in contradiction to God’s Word, however when the laws and customs, of the
times, are manifest a clearer picture comes to light.
Abram and Sarai were acting according to contemporary
laws and customs of their times. There is only record of God opposing the surrogacy,
nor surrogacy in general is found in Lev.20:11-17; Dt.27:13-26 (whereas Moses
standing upon Mt. Ebal pronounced curse upon the list of profane behavior;
which by the way merely magnifies the Ten Commandments Ex.20:1-17).
Surrogate: proxy;
stand-in; substitute; deputy; replacement
Concubine: a woman
who lives with a married man with lower status than his wife or wives; a
mistress
With a clear definition of surrogate one might better understand Abram’s plight as well as
Sarai’s. to be childless was considered a curse. She was an outcast, much as
Samuel’s mother, Hannah (1Sam.1:1-28). Hence to bear children was and is indeed
a blessing. Ps.127:3-5
1Ancient methods of obtaining surrogate mothers were
sometimes uncivilized and not with the consent of the surrogate mother.
Slaves and concubines have been used as surrogate mothers in numerous countries
and societies throughout history. Surrogacy was not merely practiced; it
was legislated in detail, so that the rights of the various persons involved,
most importantly those of the wife and the surrogate would be safeguarded.
The ancient law code of Hammurabi (ca. 1792-1750 BCE) [Babylonia law code about 1772BC] recognized the practice of surrogacy. [Hammurabi] was the ruler who chiefly established the greatness of Babylon, the world's first metropolis.2
The ancient law code of Hammurabi (ca. 1792-1750 BCE) [Babylonia law code about 1772BC] recognized the practice of surrogacy. [Hammurabi] was the ruler who chiefly established the greatness of Babylon, the world's first metropolis.2
Specified conditions:
·
Barren wife allowed to bring a
handmaid [slave] to bear children in her stead. (law#144-145)
·
Preeminence of the wife to be safeguarded.
(law# 145)
·
The wife had the right to punish the
surrogate under certain conditions (law#146)
·
The surrogate was bound to abdicate
her rights to the child, thus excluding the child from her family. The whole
purpose was to birth a child for another. Meaning also she could not foster a
relationship with the child.
19.6
Hagar the Surrogate Mother By Hubert F. Sturges, www.everlastingcovenant.com, January
2013. 2Commentary by
Charles F. Horne, (1915)
Abram,
Sarai, and Hagar
Hagar: It is
possible that Hagar was a part of the dowry, customarily given in exchange for
a woman, Sarai, to Abram by Pharaoh (Gen.12:16). From the text Hagar
began to despise Sarai, most likely because she knew she would still be
considered a lower class than Sarai, even though she was presented as a wife to Abram (3b).
·
The
prospect of Hagar bearing Abram’s child would be a great honor for her.
·
The
possibility of Hagar desiring to rear and keep the child is human nature,
though the text does not address the possibility.
·
Being
elevated in status as a wife meant
that she and her son would share in the inheritance of Abram with Sarai.
·
Hagar
becomes a central figure in the perpetual war on the Middle East as she was an
Egyptian slave and mother to Ishmael. The fact that she subjected herself to
Sarai does not negate her natural/fleshly claims to the blessing and
inheritance of Abraham.
Sarai: Abram’s
barren wife, told Abram to lay with Hagar, for the expressed purpose of
procreating children (16:2).
·
Sarai
followed the custom of the time regarding surrogates. Her intent was for Hagar
to bear children in her stead.
·
Her
mistake was giving Hagar to Abram to be his wife
[thus elevating Hagar to equal status as Sarai and violating the Hammurabi
code]. This no doubt led to Sarai’s despising of Hagar (16:4-5).
Abram: Abram
did what was required of him and gave permission to Sarai to deal with the
situation as she saw fit, do to her as it
pleaseth thee (16:6b).
·
His
mistake was hearkening to Sarai’s voice. Instead he attempted, as we all tend
to do from time to time, to fulfill the promises of God in our own flesh.
·
The fact that Abram lay with Hagar does not
constitute unbelief in God’s eyes. Rather, it underscores Abram’s faith in
God’s promise, though he attempted to fulfill God’s promise by the works of his
flesh.
Contemporary Surrogate Laws
Surrogate laws vary from
state to state; while some may ban it altogether, others impose varying
restrictions whether the action or paid or unpaid.
Plain and simple, surrogacy
laws were enacted for numerous reasons, not unlike Abram’s and Sarai’s
situation; but intended to protect the rights of all: the surrogate, wife,
husband, and perhaps most of all, the child. Unfortunately, as in Sarai’s case,
unexpected challenges often arise from the best of intentions.
As in Hagar’s case, it is a
natural instinct [for lack of better terms] to desire to nurture the child with
whom you’ve nurtured for 9 months; hence to finally give up those maternal
instincts is extremely difficult.
Even today, with so many varying laws, the act of
relinquishing parental rights is an enormous feat.
Can you imagine the hornet’s
nest stirred up with the mere suggestion of a wife to her husband to, as we put
it in the vernacular, sleep with another
woman. It’s incomprehensible, to say the least! And yet we can read about
it almost daily. No wonder God said it was a curse to do such a thing! Today we
call it infidelity, an affair, adultery, fornication, and like such.
The fact of man’s
legalization of such behavior does not testify to God’s condoning, rather it
signifies His ordination of human government. Long ago, the Swiss legalized
prostitution because they were unable to quench it. However, today the Swiss
have created “sex garages” or “sex drive-ins” [prostitutes take their “johns”
into furnished places] to hide the provocative behavior from public view in the
streets and alleys, but in doing so they
have committed themselves to regularly monitoring the HIV AIDS virus amongst the
prostitutes plus providing armed guards for their protection. The same goes
with the pornography industry; despite warnings and “precautions” some
participants still ignore the pleadings and contract the virus or other STDs.
All is man’s futile and finite
attempt to alleviate the curse
without giving up the sinful lifestyle. It’s akin to: having your cake and eating it too.
Barren Womb
To be barren is not a sin, in and of itself
rather it is one of the hidden costs of
the fall in the Garden of Eden. Thus man, through God ordained human
government, has legislated laws to ease the burden of women suffering from the
barren womb.
Surrogate laws, on the other hand, are both good and evil
by design.
Good:
·
In that they may ease the suffering of the
barren womb, thus allowing couples to experience the joys of parenthood and
child rearing.
Evil:
·
In the sense of Hagar’s case, not able to
share in the inheritance.
·
The offspring often become victims not
knowing their true identities and heritage.
·
Often they are cut off from rightful or
perceived inheritances.
·
Often perpetual guilt may arise.
·
Another, similar situation arises with the
advent of adoption; in contemporary times adopted children may long to seek
their biological ancestry; some with great success, while others may come up
empty handed.
Angel of Mercy: 16:7-12
Hagar is cast out of Abram’s abode, fleeing to the
wilderness, finding water at a fountain on the way to Shur [an enclosure; a
wall, a part, probably, of the Arabian desert, on the north-eastern border of
Egypt, giving its name to a wilderness extending from Egypt
toward Philistia
(Gen. 16:7;
20:1; 25:18;
Ex.15:22)]. 14Location of the well is
between Kadesh and Bered; called Beerlahairoi ( the well of Him that liveth and
seeth me).
Comfort of the Lord God
Hagar was comforted by the angel of the
Lord, admonishing her to return to Abram and Sarai humbling herself, submitting
herself unto Sarai as Sarai’s servant. [thus relinquishing her rights as a wife to Abram. As an added blessing she
is told her seed would be innumerable10; furthermore the child’s
given name shall mean God hears.
Ishmael: God
hears; his character described: 16:10-12
·
10His seed is
innumerable [line Isaac]
·
12Wild man
·
12Against every man
·
12Every man against him
·
12Lives in the presence
of his brethren {Israel]
·
Ishmael was the only son borne by Hagar to
Abram, though he later had other wives and children.
This chronicle serves to demonstrate God’s love and
destiny for Ishmael. Even today God still loves Ishmael, who represents the
flesh of mankind striving to attain the blessings of God through fleshly acts.
Further demonstrating the flesh cannot inherit the promises of God, which are
attained by faith only.
It further serves to demonstrate Ishmael’s determination
to attain the inheritance of Abraham; further explaining the behavior of
Ishmael’s descendants, the Muslims.
3Ishmael is recognized as an
important prophet and patriarch of Islam. Muslims
believe that Ishmael was the firstborn of Abraham,
born to him from his second wife Hagar.
Ishmael is recognized by Muslims as the ancestor of several prominent Arab tribes and
being the forefather of Muhammad. Muslims also believe that Muhammad was the
descendant of Ishmael that would establish a great nation, as promised by God in the Old
Testament. 3Wickipida Free Encyclopedia
It becomes easy to harbor hostilities toward Ishmael and
his descendants, the Muslims. However, one must remember it represents a spiritual
warfare between God and Satan, between faith and flesh. Satan prefers it
remain a war of flesh to disguise its true identity. While the Lord God keeps
it on the spiritual plain that all mankind might receive the message of
salvation through faith and not works Eph.2:8-9.
Four Score and Six
A score is 20.
So 4x20=80+6=86 years.
That is Abram’s age when Ishmael was born. Ch.17: begins
by stating Abraham’s age, 99 years old when the Lord again appears to him to
once again confirm the covenant.
Faith
Building Practice and Review
1. Compare
Sarai’s barren condition with Samuel’s mother, Hannah, 1Sam.1:5-28.
2. What
was the difference in their responses?
3. Define
surrogate:
4. What
is the character and destiny of Ishmael?
5. Do
you know of any seeking surrogate hood either as a barren woman or fertile?
6. What
admonition would you give to those whom you know?
7. Do
you now see the importance of Ishmael in history?
8. Do
you see God’s mercy and love for Ishmael and his descendants?
9. What
comparisons did you draw between Sarai and Hannah?
10. What
are the pros and cons of surrogacy?
11. Is
it a sin to be barren? Why or why not?
12. What
is the initial intent of surrogate laws?
13. What
peoples or nations are descendants of Ishmael?
14. Do
you agree with the statement? No matter
man’s intent, every decision made tends to garner more problem than he
intended. Explain.
Knowing
God
A brief [not complete, add
to the list] synopsis of the persona of God:
·
Love
·
Gracious
·
Merciful
·
Righteous
·
Longsuffering
·
Gentle
·
Faithful
·
Compassionate
·
Forgiving
·
Friend
The ultimate goal of Bible study is to
know God and not to merely memorize Bible trivia. As you study, identify the
attributes of God. For instance: make a note when you read of God extending His
forgiveness or compassion, and remember how He has done the same for you.
Richard has
been an avid student and teacher of the Bible for over thirty years, and has
written Bible studies for over ten years, emailing them across the country to
friends and relatives. He and his wife, Diane, love to travel and enjoy
spending time together with their family, and fellowshipping with other
believers.
Richard wrote Crossroads of Life primarily because he
was always a terrible decision maker and had the desire and need to improve
dramatically in this important area of life. Secondly, it was recommended by a
doctor as treatment for a mild traumatic brain injury suffered in a car and
semi-tractor trailer accident. Thirdly, it was a God given mandate to help
others who suffer from lack of good decision-making skills.
Every day
Richard encounters people who have very poor decision-making skills. Even
worse, they continue to make the same mistakes over and over expecting
different outcomes, not unlike myself. It is exciting to share the principles
with others and experience their success stories. The principles are applicable
not only to tough decisions, but also to situations we encounter in our daily
schedules. Crossroads of Life
provides the tools to make great decisions while building self confidence,
improving relationships, fosters an environment of study and worship, and
demonstrates the relevancy of the Scriptures in our daily lives.
When Richard
and Diane began to apply the steps in Crossroads
of Life, they immediately began to see changes in their marriage. The
steps, over time, have become almost second nature to follow. It is for these
reasons Richard has set a goal of reaching one million people with the message
of Crossroads of Life. Aired
on KLTT 670AM 12/31/2011 and KLVZ 810AM 1/13/2012
To schedule
reservations for book signing, seminars, or speaking engagements please
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