Message Notes

YOUTH WORSHIP SERVICE 7 August 2021

Call to Worship Pastor Charles Tan

Opening Prayer

Scripture Text: Genesis 21:8-21

Message: “Cast out this bondwoman and her son”

Speaker: Pastor Charles Tan

Closing Prayer

YOUTH WORSHIP SERVICE 7 August 2021

Scripture Text: Genesis 21:8-21

Message: “Cast out this bondwoman and her son” Pastor Charles Tan

INTRODUCTION
(A QUICK REVIEW)

1. Sarai’s idea to have Hagar bear a son for Abraham Genesis 16

2. A difficult relationship arose between Sarai and Hagar

a) Sarai treated Hagar badly

b) Hagar fled but was encouraged to return Genesis 16

3. Difficult relationships are usually difficult to resolve

a) Time does not necessarily help to improve things

b) Tolerance can go so far and no more

A NEW DEVELOPMENT IN THE FAMILY

1. Sarah had become a mother

2. Motherly instincts grew on her

3. Celebration of Isaac’s Weaning Genesis 21:8

a) This was not a religious event

b) It was a family milestone

i) Isaac was born

ii) He was circumcised

iii) He was now weaned

AN UNFORTUNATE RESPONSE OF HAGAR

1. She was there at the Feast

2. She was scoffing at Isaac

3. Sarah noticed Ishmael scoffing Genesis 21:9

a) This was uncalled for

b) This was unwise

c) This reflected a negative attitude

d) The word “scoffing” is a play on words
It’s root idea is “laughing”

e) Laughter

i) Abraham’s laughter Genesis 17:17

ii) Sarah’s laughter Genesis 18:12-13

iii) Sarah’s (new) laughter Genesis 21:6

iv) Ishmael’s scoffing (laughter) Genesis 21:9

HUGE NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES

1. Sarah’s demand of Abraham

a) Hagar and her son were to be cast out
“Cast out this bondwoman and her son” Genesis 21:10a

b) The question of being an heir
“For the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son,
namely with Isaac.” Genesis 21:10b

2. Reasons for this demand

a) A mother’s instinct to protect her son

i) Ishmael would always be the older half-brother

ii) He would be the stronger

iii) Hagar would protect her son too

iv) Ishmael’s scoffing at Isaac was understood
as something he had picked up from Hagar

v) Scoffing is derisive
It comes from an attitude of despising Genesis 16:4

b) Carnal Human reasoning

i) Sarah and Abraham were old

ii) The sons were automatically joint heirs

iii) If Sarah died, she would not be able to protect Isaac

iv) She would not have Ishmael as an heir of Abraham

v) She was aware of how Hagar would influence her son negatively

3. Hagar and Ishmael

a) Hagar was technically a bondwoman (a female slave)

b) She may have had a child with Abraham but her status remained the same

c) She would forever be a bondwoman in the family!

d) Hagar was the greater threat and Sarah wanted her out of the picture completely

ABRAHAM WAS CAUGHT IN A DILEMMA

1. Wives
Sarah and Hagar were officially wives of Abraham

2. Sons and Heirs
Isaac and Ishmael were legitimate sons and heirs of Abraham

3. What was the correct response?

a) How should Abraham respond?

b) He could not come up with an answer

THE SINS OF THE PAST HAD CAUGHT UP WITH THEM IN THE PRESENT!

1. Unbelief was a key problem

a) God had promised to give Abraham a son Genesis 15:4

b) Sarai was his wife

c) Thus, she would become the mother of the promised son

d) But there was a severe lack of faith
and she offered Hagar as a wife to Abraham Genesis 16

2. Carnality was another problem

a) This was expressed in lying

b) An underlying problem was that of deceit

i) Lying and deceiving the Pharaoh Genesis 12

ii) Lying and deceiving King Abimelech Genesis 20

c) A third expression was that of anger Genesis 16:5

d) A fourth expression was cruelty (harshness) Genesis 16:6

e) Anger and cruelty came up again Genesis 21

CONCLUSION

1. Be challenged to cultivate a strong faith in God

2. Seek to overcome sins and weaknesses in life
They have a tendency to become problematic if they remain unresolved!

3. Cultivate a relationship with God

The Lord is ever willing to help, as seen in the lives of Abraham and Sarah

a) To teach

b) To guide

c) To protect