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To illustrate the problem with running ahead of God’s instruction we will expound on select passages taken from Genesis 15 and 16 NKJV, which deals with “Abraham and Sarah running ahead of the Lord’s instruction.”
The word out on the street is that it is not as easy being a woman as it used to be. However, the word out on the street may be wrong! In particular, Genesis 16: 1-6 sheds light on Sarah’s state of desperation brought on by an inability to conceive. Her perceived affliction can be described as almost insidious. On the surface Sarah’s suffering was inconspicuous to all but her husband. The thing is, back then, while seemingly insignificant it was seen as something bad for a woman be barren. Frankly, if this were not true why would Sarah permit her husband to impregnate another woman?
The scope of desperation attached to Sarah’s inability to bring life into the world signaled divine presence, something only God could interject within. Conversely God already had a plan and fix for Abraham and Sarah’s predicament. Yet, despite God plan and instruction Sarah decided to run ahead of God’s instruction even convincing Abraham to come along.
Consequently, this passage unearths another extraordinary , long past climatic moment in time when a woman convinced a man to follow her detrimental lead. The man was Adam. The place was the Garden of Eve. Collectively, the execution of both events serve to affirm the power God gifted to women. We should note that neither woman implemented sexual components within or out to achieve the results desired. But neither Eve nor Sarah were content with what they had. Both believed they deserved more. Neither could imagine that getting what they wanted would still not be enough.
What was God’s instruction for Abraham and Sarah?
And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.
chose to to conceive by any means necessary, including green lighting her husband to sleep with another woman,
That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun. Ecclesiastes 1:9
If we believe that Ecclesiastes 1:9 is true, then we must also believe that after Eve’s transgression all women have struggled with measuring up to a preconceived idea of what it means to be a woman. As a result,
Moreover, to understand the above perspective must be intimately familiar with the nuances of womanhood for at least 3 – 4 decades. In fact, the latter is so true that it would be a waste of time to listen to anybody spewing conversation related to the pains of being barren or unable to a life growing inside. Sure, there are women who understand that the ability to give birth does not in and of itself define a woman. But, some women who cannot conceive never come to accept that they cannot. Instead, they suffer in silence.
“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.” Matthew 1:23
Source: https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/God-Being-With-Us
You may be surprised to learn that the urge to experience motherhood is so powerful for some women that they look for alternatives to fill the void. In other words, there is no substitute for experiencing motherhood, nurturing, providing for, and protecting a life carried within. The special bond mother’s have with their child cannot be replicated in it’s authentic realm. Nevertheless, any mother, biological or other who loves, nurtures and protects life deserves the same accolades.
The first single parent identified in the Bible is Hagar. She was an Egyptian slave who became pregnant with Abraham’s child as a result of Abraham and Sarah running ahead of the Lord’s instruction.
To illustrate we will deal with “Abraham and Sarah running ahead of the Lord’s instruction.”
(Genesis 16:1–4). She was to be a surrogate, which was never God’s intent. After the birth of Hagar’s child, God came to Hagar in her distress and let her know that He was with her (Genesis 16:10–12).
Hagar did not have a choice. Sarah did not ask, she just sent her husband out to Hagar to make a baby. When Hagar cried out, God drew near. “Hagar called the Lord “the God who sees me” (Genesis 16:31).”
I can’t help but wonder who hurt the most? Hagar, the defiled one or Sarah the barren one?
The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime;
And His song will be with me in the night,
A prayer to the God of my life. Psalm 42: 8
Source: https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/God-Being-With-Us
The only way to avoid running ahead of God’s instruction is to be anxious for nothing, wait, and have faith that God knows best. Just because we want someone or something more than life doesn’t mean that getting it will change our life for the better. There is truth to the old saying “be careful what you wish for.” The same applies to “be careful what you yearn for!”
Despite how painful not being able to conceive may be God will provide and fill empty voids until it’s time. Even then we must remember that the Father’s timing is not ours and unlike us, He does not confuse wants with needs. At the same time, take comfort in remembering that believers are never alone. The Lord is with us always, through all times, things, with all people, and circumstances.
