“’I will bless [Sarah]; moreover, I will give you a son by her. Truly I will bless her: she will be a mother of nations; kings of people will come from her.’”
Genesis 17:16
In this last section of the week’s Parashah, we read of Adonai’s command of circumcision. Avram’s son, Yishma’el, was born not only of Hagar as opposed to Sarai, but also born when Avraham was not yet circumcised. It wasn’t until later when Avraham was 99 that he and Yishma’el, as well as all the other males within the camp, were circumcised. It was also at this time that Adonai changed Sarai’s name meaning mockery, to Sarah meaning princess. As with Avraham, so also it was with Sarah that a name change meant a pivot in the direction of her life. It was also at this time that Adonai spoke that another son would be born to Avraham. This time the son would be birthed by Sarah, and his name would be Yitz’chak.
As I was reading this portion of the Torah, a light bulb came on. In Genesis 17:16, Adonai states that through Sarah’s birth to Yitz’chak, she would become the mother of nations. It was declared that following this line, kings of peoples would come from her. We know that further on down the line the twelve tribes of Israel were birthed. Following these lines further, especially those of Benjamin and Judah, we see the kings that were promised in Saul, David, Solomon, and those who would come after. Compare this to Genesis 17:20 when Avraham is concerned with what will become of Yishma’el. Although Yishama’el is also his son, a promise from Adonai is given, but not quite to the same extent. Adonai declares that this line too will be great, but as opposed to kings, Yishma’el’s line will see twelve princes. Did you catch that? To one will come kings while to the other only princes. Does this mean that Adonai doesn’t care as much for the line of Yishma’el? Not at all. But what it does state, or rather prove, is that the plans of man fail in comparison to the plans of Adonai.
I am learning to be cautious. I am learning more so these days to stop and seek Adonai’s ways. Too many times I have already stepped out in what I thought were good ideas only to find out that I made huge mistakes. I am learning the hard way that my plans are not always right. Instead of stepping out and hoping that Adonai blesses my ideas, I need instead to wait, seek Him, and step where He says to step. In His path is the blessing that I desire to have fall over my life. But the minute I become out of sync with Him, the minute I step out from under His cover, that is when I find myself like Avram instead of Avraham.
Perhaps our biggest challenge is simply that; simply trying to not step ahead of Adonai. I am grateful that there is a whole book full of others like me who have done this. I am grateful that their lessons are recorded for me to read and take into consideration. But it is not enough just to read it. I must apply these lessons. Oh Adonai, how I pray that your words become the lessons I live by as opposed to the stories I read. I pray that I would stop stepping ahead of You and expecting you to bless my ways. May I always find myself walking in Your ways instead.
Genesis 17:7-26
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