Isaac and Ishmael

 The book of I Chronicles starts off with a genealogy. Reading genealogies is not the most exciting reading, but they are very important. There are many stories behind every name. There are many truths we can learn from looking into the names of the family members. I would encourage us all to read the genealogies slowly to soak in the meaning of the situations we see behind the names. This is especially true when it comes to Abraham's family. (I Chronicles 1:28) His sons were Isaac and Ishmael. However, Ishmael was actually born first, but Isaac was the firstborn, the most important son, the son of promise. It is a long story we need to remember.

God told Abraham that he and Sarah would have a son, even though Sarah was barren. God promised to multiply his descendants into a great nation. The problem was that it did not happen fast enough for Sarah, so she devised a plan out of a lack of faith in God's power. She gave Abraham her servant Hagar, so he could have a son through her. Terrible choice that was caused by her weakness. Yes, Isaac was born, but there have been problems ever since. I think we all have made decisions in haste and in a lack of faith that have haunted us for years, even the rest of our life. Then, 25 years after God promised a son, Sarah conceived and bore Isaac. She and Abraham were too old to have a child on their own, 99 and 100 years old. However, God is not limited by what we can do. He always fulfills His promises. He showed them and us that we should never doubt Him and never get in a hurry, If we will trust Him and wait on His timing all will go well. Therefore, the descendants of Abraham are everywhere in the world today. They are a great multitude after all these 4,000 years just like God said. What do you need to continue to trust God for, and how long are you willing to wait, so you don't mess things up?

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Tomorrow, I intend to read I Chronicles 2-4.