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Principles of Hope from the Promised Family

The next scene of the Promised Family, in Genesis 18, includes a visitation of three men at Abraham’s camp near Mamre. The Lord spoke to Abraham with Sarah listening and said Sarah would bear a son in one year. Sarah laughed and wondered how this would be possible. The Lord raised this question: “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Gen. 18:14).

In Genesis 21, God promises that Isaac will be born of Sarah in her old age. Hagar, Sarah’s maidservant, and Ishmael are sent away from Abraham’s tent.

Numerous principles from the lives of Abram, Sarai, Hagar, and Ishmael are foundational truths that families can use today to find hope.

1. God of the impossible. What seems impossible or unredeemable to you now is quite possible for God. God will never let us be content with anything short of what perfectly fulfills his perfect love and purpose. If you’re facing an impossible situation in your family, remember the God of the impossible will fulfill his promises to us and act according to his redemptive purpose.

2. Faith and provision. Life with God requires obedience and faith. It’s only when we lose our lives in God’s purpose that we have a life worth living and something worth dying for. Provision comes on the mountain of sacrifice for a family of faith and promise.

3. Conflict in the family of faith. Conflict is inevitable—it’s a part of human nature. Families are wise to major in conflict management, which involves offense, repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation, as well as habits practiced and taught to our children.

4. The elder serves the younger. While this pattern is present in Old Testament stories dating back to Cain and Abel, it’s not prescriptive. Human customs, cultures, and norms don’t govern God's will and purpose in families. God is sovereign and will engage as he pleases through and sometimes despite our customs and cultural norms.

5. Sibling rivalry in the promised family. Sibling rivalry should be anticipated, mitigated, and reshaped so that siblings can bless one another. Even sibling rivalry doesn’t mute or thwart God's grace, mercy, and promise.

6. Families standing on the promises. Human interference in the implementation of God’s promise usually ends in tragedy, profound consequences, hurt, pain, confusion, and unnecessary heartache. Let God be God.

7. Favoritism in the promised family. Every effort should be made to understand, appreciate, and affirm differences as humans created in God's image. Differences should be celebrated as unique creations of a sovereign God.

8. Messy families and God’s promise. Thank God for his grace, mercy, redemption, and availability to us to find life in his purpose and his presence to help us learn how to live by faith and in a way that pleases him. Our families represent the perfect laboratory to reveal his love for us.

9. Families come in different shapes and sizes. We see all sorts of parents, children, couples, and families throughout the Bible and today. You may be in a family where siblings are alienated, yet these families all form the basic unit of family and community.

Unfolding God’s mission and purpose on Earth through the promised family is a strident path of consistent blessing and favor. Faith is the one ingredient for this family's journey. Would the promise of the covenant continue without faith and obedience? The next generation will provide answers.

Questions for Reflection:

- How should we respond to families who are messy and need grace?

- What’s your habit for resolving conflict in your family?

- How would your family’s habits of conflict resolution reflect godly principles?