Wednesday, July 16, 2003 (33) CAST OUT, BUT FOUND AND RESCUED. Hagar held Sarai to be contemptible in her sight, because Hagar was pregnant, by Abram, and Sarai was not pregnant, whatsoever. Gen. 16:4The result was a conflict and battle in the home of Abram. Because of the pressure of Sarai displeasure, Hagar is forced to flee, to escape from the presence of her opposition. BUT, see who found her, the angel of the LORD, actually Jehovah himself, for the angel of the LORD is a theophany (a prebirth appearance), of the Lord Jesus. It is important that we take note here that God has said, My name is in Him. The placing and sharing of the name of the Lord indicates how heartily and highly that person is regarded by the Lord. Ex. 23:21 The angel found her by a well, and a well speaks to us of salvation and revival, the presence and outpouring of the Spirit. Hagar and her offspring are not to be excluded from a mighty, last day revival. Isa.12:3 She was on her way to Shur (wall). Fleeing a bad situation, but traveling toward a wall. Running from a problem has never solved anything. Better to face it, learn its lessons and then go forward.
NOT THE PROMISED SEED, BUT NAMED BY THE LORD. The angel instructed Hagar to return and submit herself to Sarai. He also promised that the Lord would greatly multiply the descendants of Abram, through Hagar. Not to be the promised seed, but the seed after the flesh who were destined to become nations, because of Abram being the Father. Gen.16: 9-10 Amazingly, the Lord Himself, showing His interest in this birth to be, named the child, Ishmael, which means; God hears, or God shall hear. There is yet a cry to come from his descendants, (both physically and religiously), when the Lord Jesus will be recognized as the true Savior, the only redeemer, the one who loved them and gave Himself for them. Ishmaels general nature and the character of contention, argumentation and fiery emotions are aptly portrayed by the words of the Angel in Gen.16:12 To further seal the fact of a spiritual change in Hagar, it must be considered that she acknowledged the Lord. She proclaimed Him as the one who sees her, the one who is looking after her and caring for her. She gave the well the name of Beer-lahai-roi. (the well of the living (One) my Seer. Strong). In as much as the scriptures make both of the major natural lineage’s of Abram to be symbolized as Hagar, it is determined that there will be a tremendous and powerful revival amongst them. The Lord does indeed see and knows, only too well, the conditions which prevail among both of these who are the descendants of Abram. Hagar was obedient to the command of the Lord to return and be in submission to Sarai. The Lord gave her peace and Abram was to see and enjoy his first born son. However, contrary to the law of the first born Ishmael was not to inherit the rights of the first born. That was to be given to Isaac. The Lord has a way of doing that which pleases Him. Periodically, in the scriptures we are shown that the choice belongs to the Lord, and only to Him. Thursday, July 17, 2003 (34)
A NAME CHANGE. In order to use Abram and Sarai for His purposes it was necessary for the Lord to change their names. Abram received a special visit from the Lord. He was now ninety-nine, a double nine. Nine is the number of the Holy Spirit. A double nine speaks of the double, or full portion of the Spirit. There is certainly one great lesson of patience, in waiting on the Lord to be learned here. The Lord waited until the possibility of the conception of a child was impossible, for this pair, then He moved. The Lord works in His time, not ours, we need patience and endurance in order to embrace His promises and responses. Gen. 17:1 The requirement of the Lord was that Abram, walk before Him. Most certainly a condition which anyone who desired to serve the Lord would want to do. To be in constant contact with the Lord is most desirable for all concerned. It is the place of His ever present presence. Be thou perfect. A condition which is vital to we who live in this day, if our aspirations are to be in the Bride of Christ. Jesus will not marry a Bride who is His Spiritual inferior. She must have associated with Him to such a degree that her whole life and attitude have become like His. Perfection, should not be considered unobtainable. It is almost a dirty word in some circles. The Lord will not enjoin something on His people which is placed beyond their ability to achieve. In life we are told to set goals and then strive to accomplish them. What higher goal can we set for ourselves than to be LIKE HIM! He is perfection personified. Perfection, as required of Abram was to be without blemish, without spot, undefiled, etc. Sounds familiar, does it not? Eph. 5:25-27 It means to reach maturity, and to be complete. Are we to remain as infants before the Lord or would He have some mature persons with whom He can communicate?
THE NAME OF JEHOVAH WAS INTEGRATED INTO THEIRS. In this manner the LORD placed the glory and power of His name upon them. The LORD took the letter H from His own name and inserted it into their names. Jehovah, JHVH, of all the names by which the LORD is known is the most holy and sacred name. The letter H is the fifth letter in the Hebrew alphabet. Five is the number of atonement (by blood) and the number of the manifold grace of the Lord Jesus. The letter H is represented by a drawing of a house. Now, Abraham, Father of a multitude, and Sarah, Princess, were to build the HOUSE(hold) of faith. The Godly line. The progenitors of the Lord Jesus. From their offspring were to come nations and kings. The promise and covenant which the Lord was making with Abraham assured him that family and descendants would be fruitful. Gen. 17:5-7 Sarah is a type of the Bride of Christ. One of the similarities is the fact that the Bride must be as good as dead. Not a physical death but death to self, to the world and the things which are in the world. She must be alive, living unto by the power and might of her Bridegroom. The challenge of the Lord to His Bride today is to experience the death and resurrection of the Christ of God. Die, and then live in the Spirit as stated in Gal. 5:24-25.Friday,