(Genesis) Genesis 16:11-16
The sermon explores the birth of Ishmael and its significance, highlighting the difficulty of knowing God and the importance of pursuing a deeper understanding of Him.
In this sermon, the preacher discusses the encounter between Hagar and the angel of the Lord. Hagar, who was pregnant with Abram's child, was fleeing from her mistress Sarai. The angel of the Lord appeared to Hagar and reassured her that God saw her and heard her affliction. The preacher highlights the significance of Hagar's realization that she was seen by God, emphasizing that even though our understanding of God may be more advanced today, we still fall short in truly knowing Him. The preacher also connects the prophecy about Ishmael being a wild man to the present-day situation in the Middle East, suggesting that the descendants of Ishmael, the Bedouin tribes, fulfill this prophecy.
Full Transcript
Verse 11, the angel of the Lord said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, shall bear a son, shall call his name Ishmael, because the Lord hath heard thy affliction. He'll 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. Have you looked at this verse in light of about 4,000 years of history out there in the Middle East, and what's going on out there today? He's a wild man.
That's been the story of those Bedouin tribes of the desert down through the centuries, and it's a fulfillment of the prophecy that God gave. These are offspring of Ishmael, and they'll tell you out there that they are sons of Ishmael. They are sons of Abraham, but also they are sons of Ishmael, and they go to Abraham through Ishmael.
Now, verse 13, and she called the name of the Lord that spake unto her, Thou God seest me? For she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me? Now, how gracious God is to her. It's not her sin, so God very graciously deals with her, and I believe firmly that the angel of the Lord hears none other than the pre-incarnate Christ, gone out to seek the lost again. He's that kind of a shepherd, and he brings to her this good word, and she called the name of the Lord that spake unto her, Thou God seest me? Now, that is something new to her.
She did not realize that. You see, they did have a very primitive idea and conception of God. For she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me? And she's overwhelmed by the fact that she's seen of God.
Now, that doesn't seem to be very impressive to us today because we have a higher view of God than that. But wait just a minute. We probably come just as far short of really knowing about God as she does.
You see, it's difficult for a little finite man to conceive of the infinite God, and all of us come short of understanding and of knowing him. I think that's a theme that will engage us throughout the endless ages of eternity, is just coming to know God. And that's worthy of any man's study.
That is something that will dignify man's position throughout eternity, is to come to know God. Now, verse 15, And Hagar bore Abram a son. Remember, Ishmael was Abram's son, and Abram called his son's name, which Hagar bore Ishmael.
And Abram was fourscore and six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram. Now, he was 86 years old.
Sermon Outline
- I. Introduction to Ishmael
- A. Ishmael's birth and characteristics
- B. The fulfillment of prophecy in Ishmael's descendants
- II. Hagar's Encounter with God
- A. God's gracious treatment of Hagar
- B. Hagar's primitive conception of God
- III. The Difficulty of Knowing God
- A. The finite nature of humanity
- B. The infinite nature of God
- IV. The Significance of Knowing God
- A. A worthy pursuit for eternity
- B. Dignifying humanity's position
Key Quotes
“He's a wild man.” — J. Vernon McGee
“For she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?” — J. Vernon McGee
“It's difficult for a little finite man to conceive of the infinite God, and all of us come short of understanding and of knowing him.” — J. Vernon McGee
Application Points
- We all come short of understanding and knowing God, and it's a lifelong pursuit to deepen our understanding of Him.
- Knowing God is a worthy pursuit that dignifies humanity's position throughout eternity.
- God's character is revealed in His gracious treatment of Hagar, showing His care and concern for individuals.