Genesis 2:9-11 ~ And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking.Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac. And the thing was very grievous in Abraham’s sight because of his son.
In light of the Boston Marathon bombing my heart again has been broken for our country. I just cannot fathom what the mindset of an individual is that plots an event like that without regard for life. When a soldier goes to battle he or she knows that their life lies in the balance of mercy. They’re there on the battlefield expecting to be shot at and prepared for the circumstance. But in the city of Boston, where it wasn’t a battlefield, the runners and spectators were not wearing Kevlar vests or prepared for the battlefield they were on without defense.
This morning as I sat in the hotel lobby with these thoughts running through my mind in the back ground they reported on the capture and death of one of the Boston bombing suspects. I don’t get life, but I know Who does. I don’t understand what makes evil “tick” but I know Who sees all and will repay.
When God told Abraham that he and Sarah would have a child, Sarah laughed. It was ludicrous to think of a woman her age giving birth, but it’s always God who gets the last laugh! Sarah had the child God promised, but because of their unwillingness to wait on God, Ishmael was also in the picture; Abraham’s son by Hagar. When Sarah see’s Ishmael mocking Isaac, she tells Abraham to get rid of the child and his mother. In my culture I don’t understand this way of thinking, I don’t think Abraham got it either. I can’t imagine casting this child and his mother out into the wilderness without regard for their wellbeing, but Sarah does it. And what blows my mind greater than that is the fact that God okay’s it.
12 And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.
Ishmael had mocked the child of God and was cast out. Ishmael’s descendants still mock today.
In our culture we may not understand it, but spiritually I have no problem understanding the message that lies in this text. Even though Sarah was partly to blame for this child being in her home, there came a time that she seen the damage that was being done and knew the need for separation. I have nothing against foreign people in America. I am friends with many and love them all and they love me, therein lies the difference. But those who are on American soil and mock us, that’s a whole other story. When Ishmael mocked God’s chosen his rights to be in the home were gone.
Abraham was still his father, but he severed the privileges. This morning as I watched the news, I get that. I love God’s people, all of them! God is the creator of all the earth, every soul created regardless of race is afforded the privileges of the Father’s home provided they believe they are there by the blood of Jesus Christ.
America was founded on Christian faith and because of that we’ve had the favor of God. For how much longer, I’m not sure. I believe that we will lose the favor of God for certain if we continue to allow the mockery of our faith, by those born on our soil and those born in other lands as well.
Tonight as a I try to put a cap on this blog, they’ve just captured the 2nd terrorist and the people rejoice, and my heart rejoices with them. My only prayer is… please get it America. This goes far beyond Boston. It cuts at the very core of our faith. I pray we see the need to stop embracing those who mock us…