Genesis 16

Doubt in action

Yesterday we saw the amazing faith of Abram (Genesis 15:6). Today, in Genesis 16, we see his doubt in action, with unfortunate results.

Firstly, doubt is impatient.

Abram makes a big mistake when he chooses to listen to and obey his wife who seems to be impatient with God or to be doubting His promise to provide a son to Abram (Genesis 15:4; Genesis 16:2)

Secondly, doubt is self reliant.

Assuming God won't do it, Abram and Sarai do their own thing and arrange a polygamous marriage for Abram (Gen. 16:3).

The NIV Study Bible describes their self reliant action as an 'attempt to provide by human means what the Lord is accused of withholding'.

(And polygamy, though tolerated in the Old Testament,was always seen as causing problems. See Genesis 29-31; Deuteronomy 17:17; 1 Samuel 1; 1 Kings 11.)

Thirdly, doubt is unsuccessful.

Though Hagar, the servant made a wife, conceives a son, and though, in the seeing mercy of God, she and her offspring will be blessed (Genesis 16:7-14), this birth is far from what God had promised to Abram.

And the result of Sarai and Abram's self effort is contempt and mistreatment (Genesis 16:4-6) and future hostility (Genesis 16:12).

Doubting self effort may be able to produce an 'Ishmael', but (as we shall see), only God can provide an 'Isaac'!