Trouble in the Middle East: What in the World were Abraham and Sarah thinking? Part 2
White House Church of Christ
Auditorium Class Video
Date Taught:
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Main Scripture:
Genesis 16
Teacher:
Jeff Smith
*** Lesson Series ***
This is Lesson #3 of a Lesson Series called Trouble in the Middle East.
For information about Trouble in the Middle East and the other lessons, click here.
Or, click to the Previous Lesson (#2) in the series or the Next Lesson (#4) in the series.
Class Notes
Genesis 16 continued
Verse
7,8 - "The Angel of the Lord" = the Lord himself.
9-11 - Hagar told "return and submit"
Promise to Hagar, "I will multiply your seed."
Ishmael = "God hears." (and sees)
12 - "a wild man, his hand against every man, every man's hand against him"
13-16 - How hard was it for Abraham and Sarah to realize God had a future for this child born from a bad decision?
Ishmaelites from Ishmael, Edomites from Esau, both always plagued Israel.
Abraham, 86 years old.
Ishmael's Story
Gen. 21:9,10 Sarah, "...cast out this bondwoman and her son."
Gen. 21:11-13 "...the matter was very displeasing in Abraham's sight...God said, 'I will make a nation of the son of the bondwoman because he is your seed.'"
Gen. 21:14-16 "bread and skin of water...and sent her away..."
Gen. 21:17-21 "...the angel of the Lord...God has heard the voice of the lad where he is...God was with the lad."
New Testament commentary:
Galatians 4:22-31
Romans 4:2-25