Do we really know Ishmael?

     As God’s plan unfolds before our eyes, perhaps it’s a good time to get to know Ishmael better.  He plays a significant part in not only the history of Israel, but the whole world – past, present, and future.

 

     This column will examine Ishmael in a five week series.

     Ishmael was the firstborn son of Abram (Abraham) and Sarai (Sarah), and his name means ‘God hears.’

   

    Abram was 75 years old, and his wife Sarai 65 years old, when God instructed him and his family to leave the land of the East, where other gods were worshiped.  They were to cross the Euphrates River and journey west to a new land He would show them. 

     Included in God’s promise to Abram was a declaration that he and his descendants (seed) would bless all the families of the earth.  His descendants would also inherit specific land beginning from the river of Egypt all the way east to the Euphrates River.  The Euphrates River would be the dividing line between the east and the west.

    

     The promises (covenant) God made with Abram was everlasting and immutable.

     Ten years after they were dwelling in the land of Canaan, Abram and Sarai were still childless.  At that time Abram was 85 and Sarai was 75, well beyond childbearing years.

     Both Abram and Sarai were concerned that they were still without an heir, so Sarai devised a plan for Abram to have a son.  She offered her young maid Hagar to be a surrogate mother for Abram’s seed.

     Abram consented to his wife’s suggestion.

     Shortly after Hagar conceived, she despised Sarai which caused great dissension between the two.  Sarai insisted that Abram banish Hagar from their dwelling place.  Abram did as Sarai wished and sent pregnant Hagar on her way where she traveled towards Egypt, her home country.

   While traveling through the wilderness the Angel of the Lord approached Hagar and told her to return to her mistress and be submissive to Sarai. 

     We will see that God’s plan for Hagar and her soon to be born son required more time at Sarai and Abram’s home.

     At that time the Angel of the Lord told Hagar:

     “Behold, you are with child, and you shall bear a son.  You shall call his name Ishmael (God hears), because the LORD has heard your affliction.  He shall be a wild man; his hand shall be against every man, and every man’s hand against him…”  Genesis 16:11-12

     A key word in the above is ‘wild.’  It means ‘wild donkey.’  The same Hebrew word is used in a conversation God had with Job a millennium later.

     “Who set the wild donkey free?  Who loosed the bonds of the onager (a species of wild donkey), whose home I have made the wilderness, and the barren land (salt land) his dwelling?  He scorns the tumult of the city; he does not heed the shouts of the driver.”  Job 39:5-7

     Therefore, Hagar’s son would be a wild man.  He would show animosity against every man and animosity would be returned to him by every man.  He would dwell in the desert and salt lands.  He would be fiercely independent and could not be tamed by anyone.

     In spite of Ishmael’s future character, he was to play a very significant role in future history.

    

     The Angel of the LORD said of him through Hagar:

     “I will multiply your descendants exceedingly, so that they shall not be counted for multitude.”  Genesis 16:10

     Then when Abram was 99 years old and Sarai was 89, God appeared to Abram again and changed his name to Abraham, meaning the father of many nations and Sarai’s name was changed to Sarah.

     At that time God gave Abraham some startling news relative to Sarah.

     “And I will bless her and also give you a son by her... and she shall be mother of nations…”  Genesis 17:16

     Abraham’s response was not surprising.

     “Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, ‘Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old?  And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old bear a child?’”  Genesis 17:18

    

     To be continued.   

     Share your thoughts walt.thrun@gmail.com

Applying another Timeless Lesson

     Some things never change.  Such it is with God’s standard of righteousness and justice.  In the present context let’s consider Israel’s taking possession of the land of Canaan during the time of Joshua.

     The time was approximately 1375 BC.  Joshua had spent nearly three decades trying to remove the inhabitants of Canaan. The job, however, remained undone at the time of his death.

     Before entering the Promised Land the Angel of the LORD had addressed the Israelites.

     “I led you up from Egypt and brought you to the land of which I swore to your fathers; and I said, ‘I will never break My covenant with you.’”  Judges 2:1 

     God reminded the Israelites that He had delivered them from their bondage in Egypt.  He confirmed that He would never break His unilateral promise to Abraham, or his descendants, that He would give them the land of Canaan.

     God had made it very clear that the Israelites were to destroy all the people in Canaan and any semblance of their culture as they entered and possessed the land.

     “And you shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land; you shall tear down their altars…”  Judges 2:2

     The Israelites had been forewarned that if they disobeyed God’s instructions there would be consequences.  Disobedience to God always has consequences.

     Then God reaffirmed the consequences.

     “Therefore I also said, ‘I will not drive them out before you; but they shall be thorns in your side, and their gods shall be a snare to you.’”  Judges 2:3

     If Israel disobeyed, God would not drive out those that Joshua hadn’t removed.  Instead He would use them as instruments to discipline the Israelites.  They would indeed, be thorns in Israel’s side and their false gods a trap to them.

     Joshua’s generation heeded God’s warning and lifted up their voices and wept before their God. 

     “So the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the LORD which He had done for Israel.”  Judges 2:7

     However, after Joshua died at the age of 110, the next generation forgot all about Israel’s past blessings that God had bestowed on their fathers.

     “When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the LORD nor the work which He had done for Israel.”  Judges 2:10

     When a nation forgets their God they revert back to their natural tendencies and strive to appease those around them instead of God.

     “Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD… and they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt…”  Judges 2:11

     God’s reaction:

     “And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel.  So He delivered them into the hands of plunderers…so that they could no longer stand before their enemies.  Wherever they went out, the hand of the LORD was against them for calamity; as the LORD…had sworn to them. ” Judges 2:14-15

     Is there an application for today?

     To begin with, God delivered Israel from being under the bondage of a foreign nation.  God gave them a new land and promised His protection and prosperity.

      God warned Israel in no uncertain terms of His expectation that they obey His instructions along with very specific consequences for disobedience.  Such consequences included delivering them into the hands of their enemies.  In fact God would bring calamity upon them and cause their enemies to be victorious over them.

     He instructed them not to make treaties with the people of Canaan nor have anything to do with their idols or culture.

     “Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.”  1 Corinthians 10:11

     Now then, did God deliver America out of bondage from another nation?  Is America now making treaties with her enemies?  Is America accommodating cultures and religions contrary to Biblical standards?  Is America fostering a generation that will not know God?

     The logical question then, will there be consequences?

     Share your thoughts walt.thrun@gmail.com

    

Egypt: A Lesson for America?

     Even though Israel is the model for all nations, there are times when America can learn lessons from God’s dealing with other gentile nations.  Egypt is a case in point.

     The timing is the middle to late 7^th century BC.  Egypt was heavy into idolatry and mysticism.  God was about to teach them a harsh lesson.

     “Behold, the LORD…will come into Egypt; the idols of Egypt will totter (shake) at His presence, and the heart of Egypt will melt in its midst.  ‘I will set Egyptians against Egyptians… and everyone against his neighbor…the spirit of Egypt will fail in its midst; I will destroy their counsel, and they will consult the idols and the charmers, the mediums and the sorcerers.’”  Isaiah 19:1-2

     God was about to stir up tremendous civil strife within Egypt which would result in a drastic degradation of their economy.  The Hebrew word ‘counsel’ in the above means ‘purpose and plan.’

     God had previously used the strategy of internal conflict within invading armies by confusing enemy warriors into killing each other.

     Historians report that Egypt had a long record of internal strife.  God would increase such strife and civil unrest to accomplish His purpose.

     God would call the Assyrian king Esarhaddon to plunder Egypt.  And so it was, Assyrian’s assault on Egypt happened in 671 BC.

     “‘And the Egyptians I will give into the hand of a cruel master, and a fierce king will rule over them,’ says the LORD of hosts.”  Isaiah 19:4

     The Nile and its tributaries would be dried up which would immediately curtail their economic success.

     “Moreover those who work in fine flax and those who weave fine fabric will be ashamed (confused and confounded); and its foundations will be broken.  All who make wages will be troubled of soul.”  Isaiah 19:9-10

     The loss of a prosperous economy would result in severe unemployment.  The main source of jobs (foundations or pillars) for the working class was the Nile River, which was taken away.

     The charmers, mediums, and sorcerers were at a loss as to how to deal with God’s sovereign judgment.

     “Surely the princes of Zoan (major city in northern Egypt) have become fools; Pharaoh’s wise counselors give foolish counsel…The princes of Zoan have…deluded Egypt…”  Isaiah 19:13

     The Hebrew for ‘deluded’ also means ‘seduced and/or deceived.’

     Egypt’s princes and counselors had no wisdom or remedy for their situation.

     “The LORD has mingled a perverse spirit in her midst; and they have caused Egypt to err in all her work, as a drunken man staggers in his vomit.  Neither will there be any work for Egypt…”  Isaiah 19:14-15a

     Several definitions will add clarity, i.e. ‘perverse’ means ‘sinful’ or an iniquity, while ‘err’ means to ‘seduce’ or ‘cause to go astray.’

     And the wording ‘neither will there be any work for Egypt’ means exactly that.  ‘Work’ means ‘labor’ and also ‘business.’ 

     God had providentially caused the Nile and its tributaries to dry up and then caused an extended drought.  In addition He had summoned the Assyrian king Esarhaddon to invade Egypt. 

     Egypt’s economy collapsed and their leaders and wise men didn’t have a clue how to fix it.  That was also providential, i.e. ‘The LORD has mingled a perverse spirit in her midst.’

     Egypt struggled with paltry results until God sent Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon to utterly destroy them in 587 BC.

     “Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘I will also make a multitude of Egypt to cease by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.  He and his people with him, the most terrible of the nations, shall be brought to destroy the land; they shall draw their swords against Egypt, and fill the land with the slain.’”  Ezekiel 30:10-11

     Egypt had not learned her lesson from previous experiences under Assyrian domination.

     “Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘I will also destroy the idols, and cause the images to cease…’”  Ezekiel 30:13a

     Is there a wake-up call or application for America?

     The economy has consistently been one of America’s major priorities. There is already tremendous division between political factions on how to solve America’s economic challenges.  None of the solutions offered; however, involve seeking God’s wisdom.

     Exciting times lie ahead for America!

     Share your thoughts walt.thrun@gmail.com

Basing Confidence on Absolutes

     There may be those who believe this column, over the years, has been more concerned with God’s judgments rather than His blessings.  Such thoughts may be justified; however, it must be kept in mind that everyone will taste of God’s justice while not everyone will taste of His mercy.

     By the way, it is entirely up to the individual to choose whether or not to partake in God’s mercy by either accepting God’s gracious gift of redemption, or rejecting it. 

    

     Approximately half of each column directly quotes Biblical passages.  The thinking is that each reader is much more concerned with the absolute word of God than someone’s opinion or interpretation of the word.

     There is little doubt that America, and in fact the whole world, is in utter chaos.  There are many solutions offered by many world leaders; however, seldom does the suggested remedy include returning to God and His word.

     Therefore:

     “Come near, you nations, to hear; and heed, you people!   Let the earth hear, and all that is in it, the world and all things that come forth from it.  For the indignation of the LORD is against all nations…”   Isaiah 34:1-2

     The Hebrew for ‘indignation’ means ‘wrath’ or provoked to ‘anger.’  And ‘all’ nations means ‘every.’

     “For it is the day of the LORD’s vengeance, the year of recompense for the cause (controversy) of Zion.”  Isaiah 34:8

     Several more significant words are contained in the above.  The Hebrew word for ‘vengeance’ means ‘revenge, punishment, and retaliation.’

     The Hebrew word for ‘recompense’ means ‘retribution or repayment.’

     ‘Controversy’ means ‘contention or strife’ while ‘Zion’ means the ‘permanent capital of Israel.’

     Isaiah, speaking the word of God, proclaims all nations will shortly experience the wrath of God as retribution for the way in which they have, or are, treating Jerusalem, the permanent capital of Israel.

     Recall that numerous times in the Old Testament God announced He has chosen the temple in Jerusalem for His permanent dwelling place.

     “And He said to me (Ezekiel), ‘Son of man, this is the place of My throne and the place of the soles of My feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel forever…’”  Ezekiel 43:7

     The above passage refers to both the millennial temple as well as the New Jerusalem that will descend from the heavens.

     The future of Jerusalem is a Biblical absolute.

     How do the nations respond to the above?  The United Nations has denied Israel the right to name Jerusalem as their capital because it is such a political hot spot.  Israel is allowed to claim Tel Aviv as their capital.

     What is America’s formal position?  Are we doing everything possible to protect Israel from those who want to wipe them off the face of the earth?

     Also the Palestinians believe that Jerusalem should be their future capital.

     Then Isaiah partially describes the absolute future judgment of the nations.

     “Behold, the LORD makes the earth empty and makes it waste…the earth is defiled under its inhabitants, because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance… Therefore the curse has devoured the earth and those who dwell in it…Therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men are left.”  Isaiah 24:1, 5-6

     Again several significant words are found in the above.

     Firstly, the Hebrew word ‘defiled’ means ‘profane, corrupt, and hypocritical.’  The Hebrew word ‘desolate’ means ‘to be declared guilty,’ while ‘few’ means ‘small.’

     “It shall come to pass in that day that the LORD will punish on high the host of exalted ones, and… the kings of the earth.”  Isaiah 24:21

   At the great day of the LORD, both angelic beings and the kings of the earth will receive their just due.

     The Hebrew for ‘punish’ means to ‘muster the troops for battle.’

     The Bible’s advice to the world?

     “Search from the book of the LORD, and read: Not one of these shall fail…for My mouth has commanded it…”  Isaiah 34:16

     Everything God has spoken will come to pass with absolute certainty.

     Every person can review history and the present chaos in the world and form their own opinion whether America’s greatest days are ahead or behind us.

     Share your thoughts walt.thrun@gmail.com

    

The Priceless Gift of Suffering

     Several years ago we did a column entitled: “Who in the world would choose to suffer?”  Obviously no one in the ‘world’ would choose to suffer; however, the Christian views suffering as a gift that we would never regift. 

     Suffering in the eyes of the Christian represents an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.  The Apostle Paul spoke of suffering in many of his epistles as being inevitable and an indescribable gift from God.

     “For to you (Christians at Philippi) it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.”  Philippians 1:29

     Paul confirms that not only is faith a gift of God, so is suffering for Christ’s sake.

     When writing to the Christians in Rome Paul said that believers are children of God and he goes on to describe that relationship.

     “…and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”  Romans 8:17

     Once again Paul demonstrates the intimate relationship with Christ by suffering with Him which results in a future glorified body that will never decay or perish.

     Later in that same epistle Paul proclaims that nothing can separate Christians from the love of Christ.

     “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution…?”  Romans 8:35

     In his first letter to the church in Thessalonica Paul reiterates the inevitability of suffering and encourages perseverance.

     “… no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.   For in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened…” 1 Thessalonians 3:3-4

     Note in particular that Christians have been ‘appointed’ to suffer which means that suffering is an integral part of being a Christian. 

     Now let’s refer to the Gospels to examine what Christ Himself taught about suffering.  He taught that suffering would be an integral part of following Him during the current age preceding the tribulation.

     “But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons.  You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake.  But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.”  Luke 21:12-13

     Suffering persecution will present the Christian the opportunity to be a witness to those who persecute them.

     And Jesus declared that those who are willing to give up everything they hold in esteem in this life will be granted that which they are willing to give up; however, such will be accompanied with persecution.

     “…Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children, or lands, for My sake…who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time – houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions – and in the age to come, eternal life.”  Mark 10:29-30

     Jesus’ words remind us of righteous Job’s restoration in the Old Testament.

     Notice the profoundness of Jesus’ teachings.  They are totally a matter of priorities.

     If people are willing to give up everything that is admired by the ‘world’ for the sake of following Christ, then Christ will bless them with much more than they have given up.  Such blessings are received in this life as well as resulting in eternal life.

     Jesus summarized His thoughts succinctly.

     “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?  Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?  Matthew 16:26

     Could it be that the ‘American Dream’ is more attainable by not pursuing it? 

     It is naïve for any presidential candidate to associate the attainment of the ‘American Dream’ with political power.

     It is simply a matter of individual priorities.

     “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”  Matthew 6:33

     Yes, the Christian considers suffering to be a non-regiftable blessing with indescribable benefits.

     Share your thoughts walt.thrun@gmail.com