(Continued)
Even though Sarai was weak in faith, Abram, whose faith was real, should have been in a position to refuse her suggested remedy of their problem. He, the man of God, and the head of his own house, should have said, “No, Sarai, we will wait for God’s way and He will in His own time, fulfill His promise.” But there is no record of such a conversation; in fact, no evidence that he even protested this strange program which was so unsuited to one whose ear had heard God’s voice again and again.
In Abram’s strange relationship with Hagar there were at least two things that interfered with his acting in a faithful manner. One was the influence of a companion who did not truly know the language of faith; the other was a temptation that had its beginning back in Egypt, where Abram had placed himself in worldly surroundings. From that dark land he had brought Hagar back with him. This bondwoman of Egypt then became the channel through which much trial and unhappiness resulted, because his faith was not equal to the testing that resulted from her being in their house.
We are reminded in these things of how the believer will be on dangerous ground if he heeds the voice and counsel of one who is out of counion with the Lord. Also we might think it scarcely necessary to mention the other danger—attachment to worldly persons and things. But it is one of Satan’s most-used devices to catch the Christian off-guard and spoil the enjoyment of a walk of faith. If Abram and Sarai had left the Egyptian woman back in Egypt where she belonged, she would not have become a source of compromise and un. happiness to them — delaying the blessing that God had in store for His own. Every child of God needs a constant vigilance and prayerful concern that he may be kept apart from the world and its allurements. The rewards of this world never give lasting happiness. We may say of Abram’s decline at this point of his life that it is a picture of the believer, betrayed by nature—relying on self and not realizing how altogether useless “self” is in the sight of God. His behavior said, in as many words, that he had departed from God’s way. He never lost his relationship with the God whom he loved, but he lost the blessing of communion and, for the time, was not walking in that intimacy with God which he had previously known.
When Abram thought he could secure an heir through the bondmaid, he was reverting to nature rather than to faith—his way, rather than God’s way. His action resulted in failure. It is another of God’s pictures to us of those who now seek salvation through their own way; who perhaps want salvation through the keeping of the ten commandments, or by other good works. But the law is not God’s method of salvation and those who seek to follow it are not in the path of salvation at all. Soon they will learn that they not only cannot keep the law, but that their best efforts bring them no peace. No, just as God would never fulfill his promise to Abram with anything less than the full measure of His love, so now souls can only know the joy of eternal salvation by accepting His way—simple and personal faith in Christ and in the saving power of His death on Calvary.
ML 06/27/1965