I often end text messages with “blessings to you.” This is a way of wishing God’s blessings upon someone, similar to saying “God bless you.” God’s blessings are truly profound.
Sarai’s blessing is a powerful example. She receives much more than just a new name. Despite being past childbearing age, she is blessed with the promise of a family and a nation.
God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.
I will bless her and also give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall give rise to nations; kings of peoples shall come from her” (Genesis 17:15-16).
We know Sarah’s story. She conceived a son and named him Isaac. Generations later, at the birth of Jesus, it was possible to trace His lineage back to Sarah, revealing that the Savior of the world descended from her, despite her advanced age of 90 at the time of Isaac’s birth.
However, neither Sarah nor Abraham knew this future significance when God spoke to them. They had to accept God’s word by faith.
Paul extensively discusses Abraham’s faith, describing the patriarch’s struggle and ultimate triumph. Below is a summary of his words in Romans 4:16-25.
- Abraham, the father of many nations (including those who believe), believed in God who gives life to the dead and calls into existence things that do not yet exist.
- Despite seemingly impossible odds (his age, Sarah’s barrenness), Abraham hoped against hope and believed he would become the father of many nations, as God promised.
- Abraham’s faith did not weaken; he grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, fully convinced God could fulfill the promise.
- Abraham’s faith “was reckoned to him as righteousness.”
- This example isn’t just for Abraham, but for us too. Righteousness will be reckoned to us who believe in the God who raised Jesus from the dead.
Paul reflected on Abraham’s life, but Abraham actually lived it. He had to walk by faith, trusting that God would fulfill His promises. As the following verses show, this was not easy.
Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, “Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?”
And Abraham said to God, “O that Ishmael might live in your sight!”
God said, “No, but your wife Sarah shall bear you a son, and you shall name him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him (Genesis 17:17-19).
We will see later on in Abraham’s story that he considered Ishmael his son. No doubt, God had a blessing for Ishmael, but it was God’s plan to establish His covenant with Isaac, the son of Abraham and Sarah.
Paul wrote about Abraham’s faith: “He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was already as good as dead (for he was about a hundred years old), and the barrenness of Sarah’s womb” (Romans 4:19).
Søren Kierkegaard described faith as continuing with God despite fears and doubts. This perfectly describes Abraham’s actions in this instance and others to follow.
Ishmael’s Blessing
God promises Ishmael a blessing, many descendants, twelve princes, and nationhood, but he does not give him a covenant.
“As for Ishmael, I have heard you; I will bless him and make him fruitful and exceedingly numerous; he shall be the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.
But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this season next year” (Genesis 17:20-21).
In yesterday’s video, Rudy Ross and I discussed at length the roles of Ishmael and Isaac in God’s plan. We both firmly believe that Islam’s understanding of this is incorrect; the covenant promises are given to Isaac, not Ishmael.
However, this doesn’t mean God didn’t bless Ishmael.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross and I discussed this on YouTube today.
Real Voices 