Apologetics

Likeness 2

by Olawale Ogunsola
03/18/24
Not For Sale
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In the first part of this piece, it was established that a man's behavior is built up in his children which will become part of their lives.

In this second part, let us examine the outcome of what becomes a child's way of behavior.
[9]But Sarah saw Ishmael—the son of Abraham and her Egyptian servant Hagar—making fun of her son, Isaac." Genesis 22;
[10]So she turned to Abraham and demanded, “Get rid of that slave woman and her son. He is not going to share the inheritance with my son, Isaac. I won’t have it!” Genesis 21; New Living Transaction, NLT.

What followed the unruly behavior of both the mother and her son was to be thrown out of their comfort zone, where they lacked nothing, to live in the wilderness.

In the wilderness, they experienced tears and sorrow. All forms of hardship were their portion. These were the results of their misconduct.

To God be the glory that, He came in to reduce their sufferings in the wilderness because, Ismael was a son of a man of covenant, Abraham, and the Lord has promised to make him fruitful and bring forth Princes from him. God could achieve this without coming into the wilderness but their misbehavior led them there.

Although the Lord has purposed to make Isaac, the heir of the covenant, He could attain this in another way. When He wanted to separate Lot from Abraham, He used wealth. The land could not accommodate both of them because of their wealth, so, separation became inevitable.

Beloved, how is your behavior? Is it in the likeness of the Lord your God? Do you pass the same to your children who He has graciously given you? Are you a good pattern for them to follow? What do you expect your (your and your children's) reward to be? May the Lord help you to bring up your children for the glory of God. Do not forget that, it all begins with you. You cannot give what you do not have. Stay blessed and prepared for the imminent coming of the Lord.

Scripture references are as indicated in the write-up.