The next lesson on OBEDIENCE involves Abraham, Sarah, Hagar and Ishmael. God promised Abraham a son, but time went on and Sarah and Abraham were old. Their disobedience involved taking matters into their own hands and Sarah having a child through Hagar, the servant girl. Once God fulfilled his MIRACLE promise (Isaac) when Sarah was 90 and Abraham was 100, Sarah's and Abraham's disobedience became a problem. Ishmael was mocking the situation and the promised child, Isaac. This led to Sarah's jealousy and the casting out of Hagar and Ishmael. At the point of near death in the desert for Ishmael, God promised to make him into a nation.

We say: "Oh, if Abraham and Sarah would have obeyed God, just maybe the world would not be in the mess it is today."

Obedience, no matter how hopeless it may look, is always the best way to go. Disobedience leads to destruction and death.

" 'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus ... " - Stead

Raymond Brown