Prophecy Fulfilled

Prophecy Fulfilled

Genesis 25: ¹² Now this is the genealogy of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s maidservant, bore to Abraham. ¹³ And these were the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: The firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth; then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, ¹⁴ Mishma, Dumah, Massa, ¹⁵ Hadar, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. ¹⁶ These were the sons of Ishmael and these were their names, by their towns and their settlements, twelve princes according to their nations. ¹⁷ These were the years of the life of Ishmael: one hundred and thirty-seven years; and he breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people. ¹⁸ (They dwelt from Havilah as far as Shur, which is east of Egypt as you go toward Assyria.) He died in the presence of all his brethren.

 

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After Abraham’s death, GOD turns the conversation to Ismael. HE carefully and methodically expressed who Ismael was and how many kids he had. Ismael was Abraham’s son, but not through Sarah, rather through Hagar, Sarah’s servant. Sarah could not have children, so she came up with a plan to “help” GOD’s prophecy.

 

My Observations:

• Ismael was Abraham’s son, but not the chosen son who would provide the lineage of CHRIST.
• GOD promised Abraham that Ismael would have twelve princes would become great nations.
• Ismael had twelve princes that became great nations.

 

Ismael’s sons lived in a vast territory containing Havilah. I am not convinced this is the same Havilah that was a suburb to the Garden of Eden that contained gold and precious stones, but it could be. I believe the Garden was destroyed in the flood. I also believe that remnants of gold and precious stones were disbursed throughout the broken land masses.

 

Ismael’s prophecy came true, just as GOD said. He must have kept in touch with Isaac and his step brothers. There was probably very little fighting if any. The step brothers and children gathered peacefully at Ismael’s funeral. GOD’s prophecy was fulfilled exactly as HE said.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD go into meticulous detail to Moses regarding Ismael’s genealogy?
• Have you ever felt on the outside of blessings from GOD?
• Do you realize that you are part of GOD’s family and HIS plan for you is far greater than you think?

 

Renamed for Purpose

Renamed for Purpose

Genesis 17: ¹⁵ Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but ^[g]Sarah shall be her name. ¹⁶ And I will bless her and also give you a son by her; then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be from her.”

 

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Continuing HIS conversation with Abraham, GOD turns the focus to Sarai. HE renamed her Sarah and said HE would “bless her.” Sarai was barren. She may have grown up by the ways of the Chaldeans, a nomadic group of raiders. She believed that people could be property and mistreated Hagar, her Egyptian slave.  She thought of a plan to fulfill GOD’s promise, possibly because of shame for being barren.

 

My Observations:

• Sarai was blessed by GOD from birth.
• Sarai had strong faith as she went through famine, almost being taken and battles without complaining.
• Sarai, like Abraham, wanted GOD to win, but took matters in her own hands.

 

Renaming Sarai to Sarah was significant. GOD specifically had a purpose for her. HE would eventually perform a miracle that would show people HE is in control of the human body and spirit. GOD would bless Sarah, “AND” give Abraham a son.

 

This blessing would touch Sarah on many levels. For ninety years she was barren, then GOD tells Abraham she would be “the mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be from her.”  Sarah would not only be a mother, but a mother of many races and people groups. GOD erased Abraham’s and Sarah’s past and gave them purpose for HIM. This required them to be new.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD told Moses about changing Sarai’s name to Sarah?
• Have you ever felt like giving up on GOD’s purpose for you?
• Will you continue with strong faith in GOD’s purpose for you today?

Nations and People Groups 5 of 6

Nations and People Groups 5 of 6

Genesis 10:¹⁵ Canaan begot Sidon his firstborn, and Heth; ¹⁶ the Jebusite, the Amorite, and the Girgashite; ¹⁷ the Hivite, the Arkite, and the Sinite; ¹⁸ the Arvadite, the Zemarite, and the Hamathite. Afterward the families of the Canaanites were dispersed. ¹⁹ And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon as you go toward Gerar, as far as Gaza; then as you go toward Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, as far as Lasha. ²⁰ These were the sons of Ham, according to their families, according to their languages, in their lands and in their nations.

 

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Canaan’s list seems different than the rest. GOD goes into detail about people groups and where they were dispersed. Noah’s curse on Canaan was heard by GOD, Canaan seemed to be an influential leader. He seemed to oppose GOD while seeking power. He may have made his father Ham go into Noah’s tent, mocking nakedness.

 

Ham then had to tell people what he saw. Noah did not curse Ham, rather he cursed Canaan, the source of the problem. After the curse, Canaan may have wanted to ensure it would never come true.

 

My Observations:

• Canaan’s decisions caused him to speak against GOD.
• Some of Canaan’s followers took beliefs into the founding of Sodom and Gomorrah.
• GOD allowed Canaan to lead for a season, but his kingdom fell.

 

Seeking power seems to be a recurring them that is a problem with humans to GOD. HE is the source of life and strength, but HE shows incredible restraint when humans challenge HIM. GOD showed us a different route that came after the flood. HE would listen to people who sought after HIM.

 

Not just anyone could place a curse on people and make GOD agree that it is just. GOD listened to Noah because Noah spent most of his ark building days trying to convince people to follow GOD. Even after Noah’s family was saved, GOD saw the evil in the hearts of those who did not believe in HIS ways.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD go into detail about people groups and locations to Moses?
• Have you ever got mad at GOD because you or someone else was not in power?
• Can you surrender your power to GOD so HIS will be done through you today?

Nations and People Groups 4 of 6

Nations and People Groups 4 of 6

Genesis 10: ¹³ Mizraim begot Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim, ¹⁴ Pathrusim, and Casluhim (from whom came the Philistines and Caphtorim).

 

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Returning back to the children of Ham, GOD mentions Mizraim to Noah. Mizraim is the founder of the Egyptian empire that would prove to be a challenge for a long period of time. Mizraim may have also tried to prove the curse of Noah was not valid, nor was the GOD he followed. One of his son’s, Casluhim, birthed the Philistine empire.

 

My Observations:

• Mizraim or Egypt eventually saw people as property.
• The Egyptian empire would enslave many people, which seems contrary to the curse of Canaan.
• People who seek power over one another may dominate for a season, but fall hard when the LORD says so.

 

Wow! Egyptians and Philistines! GOD allowed groups of people to be born and walk in disbelief on HIM. They were highly intelligent, strong and highly admired. They struggled with the concept of a higher power, thinking humans could become a god.

 

It is amazing that GOD allowed people to create false gods and turn their backs to HIM. No matter what GOD has done in the past or present, they would not turn to HIM. Great empires were developed with wild human sacrifices. GOD was not weak, HE waited.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD mention the origin of Egypt and the Philistines to Moses?
• Has GOD made a promise to you that has not come to fruition?
• Will you allow GOD to work HIS plan through you as part of a greater plan for humanity?

Nations and People Groups 3 of 6

Nations and People Groups 3 of 6

Genesis 10: ⁸ Cush begot Nimrod; he began to be a mighty one on the earth. ⁹ He was a mighty hunter before the Lord; therefore it is said, “Like Nimrod the mighty hunter before the Lord.” ¹⁰ And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. ¹¹ From that land he went to Assyria and built Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir, Calah, ¹² and Resen between Nineveh and Calah (that is the principal city).

 

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GOD seems to put a spotlight on Cush’s son Nimrod. There was a list before that did not mention him, but this special call out must have had significance. Nimrod had skills given to him by the LORD. He was a mighty hunter, but he was more than that. He was an influential leader who was strong. He could unite people to build cities like Babel and Nineveh.

 

My Observations:

• Nimrod may have been conflicted in his belief in the LORD.
• Nimrod wanted to prove Noah to be wrong in his curse, so he became an achiever.
• Nimrod’s conflicted nature may have known where he got his hunting skills, yet he refused to follow GOD.

 

Desiring to be back in GOD’s grace, people may have noticed Nimrod’s supernatural hunting skills. Some people may have even thought he was serving GOD. Unfortunately, the cities he built were not based on GOD’s love at all.

 

He used his leadership skills to unite people to think that they could take over GOD. He may have gotten so influential that the people believed in him more than GOD. They may have looked at GOD’s grace as weak and insignificant. Despite Nimrod’s influence, GOD still loved the people he led.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD go into detail about Nimrod and the cities he built to Moses?
• Have you ever wanted things to be better so you followed a human leader?
• Is today a good day for you to start your journey of following the LORD with all your heart?

Nations and People Groups 2 of 6

Nations and People Groups 2 of 6

Genesis 10: ⁶ The sons of Ham were Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan. ⁷ The sons of Cush were Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabtechah; and the sons of Raamah were Sheba and Dedan.

 

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Only one child of Ham was cursed by Noah and his name was Canaan. Noah may have seen something different in the way Canaan acted and how he may have wanted power. Ham’s sons would form great nations like Mizraim otherwise known as Egypt.

 

My Observations:

• GOD did not wipe out the sons of Ham.
• GOD allowed Ham’s sons to flourish into great nations that would one day enslave humans.
• Ham’s sons may have felt cursed, even though it was focused only on Canaan.

 

GOD goes into detail about Ham’s grandchildren and great grandchildren from Cush. Havilah was a name mentioned when GOD told Moses about the Garden of Eden. It was known for its gold. Raamah would have a son, Sheba, who would have a famous queen.

 

Ham’s sons seemed to desire power, possibly at the cost of lives. Noah’s curse would have an effect on the sons, trying to make sure this prophecy would never come true. Rage would blossom from the sons that would be passed to the grandsons and great grandsons. All because of and act of giving into Canaan, GOD heard Noah.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD go into detail about Ham’s sons to Moses?
• Have you ever been mad at GOD or even blamed HIM for where you are in life?
• Even though it may be difficult, can you see GOD has you right where HE needs you to be today?