July 15, 2003 (32)WHY SUPERNATURAL BIRTHS? They are used by the Lord as types and symbols. But Sarai was barren. Gen. 11:30 Sarai whose name means, head person or in charge, ruling. Names given in Bible days were often prophetic. They would indicate the nature, the character, of the person or even a world event which was to take place in the life time of the person. Her name would indicate that Sarai was pretty much in charge. She was the wife of Abraham. The woman called of the Lord, who with her husband was to be the progenitor of the seed that would bless the whole of the families of the earth. Gen. 12:3 But she was barren. The Lord appeared to Abram when he had reached the ripe old age of 99, his wife was ten years younger. Both well past the age of child birth. Gen. 17:1 It is very apparent that the Lord, in order to manifest His abilities, will sidestep the norm, just to prove His sovereignty over nature and His greatness. He never forgets His promises and will always fulfill them, in His time. This male child was a promised child and was most certainly to be born, regardless of the circumstances because the Lord Himself had made the promise.
THE EFFECT OF IMPATIENCE AND UNBELIEF. The world, even in our day still is feeling the impact of the decision of Sarai to help the Lord. The subsequent result of Abrams union with Hagar (flight), the Egyptian servant maid, while not in the will of the Lord, was certainly in the plan of the Lord. It establishes the fact that concurrently there is a family which is after the flesh and another which relates to that which is spiritual. There is a double seal of servitude on those born after the will of the flesh. The mother was Egyptian, which to Israel was servitude and bondage. Then Hagar, was herself in servitude. The flesh is always in enslavement. This kind of a situation may be found in the, church universal, even today. In every aspect of spiritual life there is a manifestation of both, flesh and spirit. Carnal and spiritual. Without a knowledge of the workings of the Spirit and a good knowledge of the Word it is possible to follow that which is a manifestation of the flesh, and is an imitation of the Spirit. We well know, from the Word, what the Lord would accomplish in these last days. It is also possible to run ahead of the Lord and produce a spiritual Ishmael. The works of the flesh which erupted in the household of Abram were most disconcerting to those who were a part of that family. A great rift and separation resulted in the expulsion of Hagar and Ishmael, and heartbreak for Abram. Figuratively, the Lord is to later use this Mount Sinai. Hagar and Jerusalem as relating to the Law and to Israel, which is under bondage. While, Sarah and Isaac are free, spiritually alive. Gal. 4:22-31 We are called not to the fleshly, natural, physical Jerusalem, but to that which is Spiritual, Heavenly, eternal and from above. This is a switch which is difficult for many to understand but the scriptures are very explicit and understandable. The Lord, periodically, passes up that which was first or first born to create a second, which is of the Spirit