1. The first families struggle - Genesis 4:1-8

2. The struggle over God’s promise - Genesis 16:1-5

Text: Genesis 16:1-5, Hebrews 11:8-10

By using dual text we clearly see the struggle this family encountered in trusting God to fulfill His Promise.

God promised a son in chapter 12…25 years later fulfilled.

Exposition of text:

v1 - Tired and weary of waiting.

v2 - Custom of that day and culture.

God did not approve of this arrangement!

Sowing to the flesh is not wise: Galatians 6:7, Romans 8:5-14

Sexual impurity, unfaithfulness, never God’s will.

v11,12 - Ishmael’s descendents

v 17:18 - Abraham’s request denied by God.

v 17:1 - God reminds Abraham of His Promise and ability to fulfill it. God Almighty.

El-Shaddai - used 48 times in Old Testament. Meaning - all-powerful, all-sufficient. “God who can do anything and meet any need.”