The 11th chapter of the book of Hebrews is
commonly known as the "Faith" chapter because it is rich in lessons on
faith. This ongoing series, "Faith", takes a close look at the lessons
we can learn from this chapter. For previous lessons on Faith, go to www.sermonillustrator.org/minisermons/folder4/Faith%20--%20A%20Miniseries.htm
Faith, Lesson 10
By Faith Abraham, Part 2 . . .
In last week's lesson on faith, looking at Hebrews 11:7, we learned from
Abraham that faith in God means we are willing to fulfill our eternal role, even
if we have no idea what the big picture might be. Now let's go to Heb. 11:11-12
for the next lesson in faith, this time from Abraham and his wife, Sara:
"Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and
was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful
who had promised. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead,
so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the
sea shore innumerable." (Hebrews 11:11-12 HCSB)
The promise is given as early as Gen. 12:2. We know that Abraham was 75 years
old at this time, and we also know that he had no child. Despite this, God says:
"I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your
name great, and you will be a blessing."
We're don't know Abraham's exact response to this promise, but several years
later he again receives a word from the Lord: "After this, the word of
the LORD came to Abram in a vision: 'Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield,
your very great reward.' . . . But Abram said, 'O Sovereign LORD, what can you
give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is
Eliezer of Damascus?' And Abram said, 'You have given me no children; so a
servant in my household will be my heir.'" (Gen 14:1, 15:2,3 NIV)
In other words, "Okay God! You expect me to believe THAT? You promised me a
child, and look! All these years later, my wife and I are getting nothing but
older. The writing is on the wall! My estate goes to Eliezer of Damascus!"
God's response? "This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from
your own body will be your heir.' (Gen 15:4)
Still nothing happens. Abraham has an affair with Hagar, Ishmael is produced
(see Gen. 16, LESSONS IN FAITH, Lesson 12). Abraham probably believes that
Ishmael is to be the promised child, but he's not. 14 years later God again
appears to Abraham and repeats the original promise to make him the father of
many nations. But this time the prophecy specifically mentions Sarah: "I
will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that
she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her."
(Gen 17:16)
Poor Abraham. He is really trying to believe in the promise, but come on, God! "Abraham
fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, 'Will a son be born to a man a
hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?' And Abraham
said to God, 'If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!'" (Gen
17:17-18)
This time, after 25 years of promising, God finally gives all the details: "Yes,
but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will
establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants
after him. And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him . . .
But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you by this
time next year.'" (Gen 17:19-22)
Despite this third, very specific promise, the promised child was again
prophesied, probably just a few weeks later: "Then the LORD said, 'I
will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will
have a son.'" (Gen 18:10) This time it was Sarah who laughed: "So
Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, 'After I am worn out and my master is
old, will I now have this pleasure?'" (Gen 18:12)
None of this doubt and laughter changed the facts, however. Isaac WAS born: "Sarah
became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God
had promised him." (Gen 21:1-3)
Isn't it ironic that despite the fact that the responses of Abraham and Sarah
was to laugh (Gen. 17:17, 18:12), the promise still came to be? And isn't it
ironic that despite all the doubt and shame, the book of Hebrews still records, "Through
faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of
a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the
stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore
innumerable." (Hebrews 11:11-12 HCSB)?
Enough to ponder, friends. But do ponder this: When God promises something, it
is for real. We may not really believe at first, we may try to take things into
our own hands, we may even laugh at God, but in the end, if we believe, God will
still be able to say, "By faith ______"!
Join us next week for the last lesson in Faith to be learned from Abraham!
God bless you!
Lyn
Lyn Chaffart, Author, Moderator, the Nugget, Scriptural Nuggets, www.sermonillustrator.org/minisermons/
, Answers2Prayer Ministries, www.Answers2Prayer.org
.