MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Genesis 16:15-16
THE CONVICTION OF A SPECIAL PROVIDENCE: PRACTICAL EFFECTS
I. That we enter again the paths of duty. The impression of this special visitation of God was not lost upon Hagar. She translated it into duty, and at the Divine command returned to the home which she had deserted. There, in the ways of humble duty, she was to serve God, and work out the designs of His Providence. The soul’s true life is found not in prolonged rapture and amazement, but in simple faith, love, and obedience.
II. That we are found in the way of religious privilege. When Hagar wandered in the wilderness she put herself out of the way of the religious privileges which were found in Abram’s family. She now returns to that home where God was feared with a holy dread, and confided in with a trusting love. If we have wandered from the place of religious privilege, and God has met us so that we can distinctly trace His dealings, it is our duty to return. The Church of God is our true home, where alone our graces can revive and grow.
SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS ON THE VERSES
Genesis 16:15-16. It is here implied that Hagar told Abram of the vision, and of the name which God had appointed for her son. God’s children take their part in carrying out His designs concerning others. Abram gives that name which had been revealed to another.
The trials of waiting for promised blessings.
1. The time is often long. Abram was now eighty-six years old, and up to this point of time was childless. He had to wait through many long and weary years till the sight of this child gladdened his eyes. God sometimes delays the fulfilment of His promises so long that the patience of His people is sorely tried.
2. We may be deceived by what is only intended to be a provisional fulfilment. Abram thought that the son of Hagar was the promised and long-desired son by whom he was to be a blessing to all generations. But he had to wait fourteen years for the true son of promise. He rejoiced too soon. God often gives us some fulfilment of His word, which stays for a time the desires of our soul. Thus we are led on till we find, at last, that real and solid good which is laid up for us.
During thirteen years of the time of Abram’s waiting, it would seem that all those delightful personal manifestations of the Almighty which he had hitherto enjoyed were suspended; but whether this was designed, as some have suggested, as a token of the Divine displeasure, or whether it is to be referred to the sovereign good pleasure of Him who giveth not account of any of His matters, it is not for us to say. It is certain, however, as a general fact, that similar conduct is productive of similar results, and that if we find that it is not with us as in times past—that communion with God is more than usually difficult—that our intercourse with heaven is sadly impeded, our prayers hindered, and our praises deadened—the cause is to be sought in ourselves. It is not a mere sovereign withdrawal of the light of God’s countenance, but a merited rebuke of some secret offence, some unrestrained temper, some unholy compliance, some unchecked and unchastened desire, which is suffered to remain undetected in the heart, and to rob us of the promised blessing.—(Bush.)
The posterity of Ishmael were earliest in the field of history. In the ordinary view they seemed the greater and the more important; yet these were not to be the channels of God’s highest blessings to mankind. Thus it is that “the first shall be last.”