July 18, 2003 (35)HAGAR AND ISHMAEL CAST OUT. The cause was the mockery of Ishmael. Ridicule and scorn directed at Isaac, by Ishmael, which was observed by Sarah. The counterpart of this occurrence Is found in the writings of the Apostle Paul. He compared the Israel of his day to the Agar of the day of Abraham. To Jerusalem and her children, which like Agar and her son, were cast out by the Lord because of the mockery and deeds committed against the Lord Jesus. Then he included Israel and Jerusalem as representing those born of the flesh. In contrast Paul presented a people who are the children of promise and a heavenly Jerusalem which is the mother of us all and is free. Gal. 4:25-29. There is no question but what Hagar experienced was to be repeated in the history of the descendants of Abraham who participated in the first covenant. They were to be cast out and excluded from the household of faith being replaced by those who would become children of the free woman, both Jew and Gentile. Those who are in Christ, regardless of race are children of the free woman. Gal. 4:30-31.
THE SON OF THE SLAVE WILL NOT SHARE IN THE INHERITANCE. So were the words of Sarah to Abraham as she insisted that Hagar be driven out. Gen. 21:10 Then the Lord spoke to Abraham and verified the fact that the son of Hagar was not to participate in the genealogical blessings, though he would become a great nation, since he was a son of Abraham. Abraham was to take action on what must have been one of the hardest decisions of his life, he was to be separated from his son, Ishmael. He sent them away with provisions that were no doubt intended to be sufficient until they reached their destination. Abraham gave them bread and water, which does not seem like much, but were staples for that day. Bread, is a type of the Word. Water, a type of the Spirit. The bottle, no doubt the skin of a kid or lamb would typify the crucified Christ. They would have shared with the rest of the family of Abraham all of his spiritual teachings and revelations which the Lord had given him. She departed and wandered. The exact path of one who leaves the household of faith. Gen. 21:14Their water supply was soon gone. The Spirit must constantly be refreshed. Despair settled in, they were parted, both crying out in hopelessness. The Lord heard the cry of the lad (Ishmael was seventeen or so). The Lord opened her eyes and she saw a well of water from which she filled the bottle with water and gave the lad to drink. Once again the promise was made, by the Lord, that Ishmael would become a great nation. It is important to note, they were in the wilderness of Beersheba, meaning the well of an oath. Gen. 21:15-19 The promises that the Lord made to Abraham have come to pass and are today, a fact of life. The Lord will yet lead them to the completion of the promises that He made to Abraham. We foresee a tremendous move of the Spirit in the Mideast that will sweep multitudes into the kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Gal. 5:24-25. Monday,