God declared that Abraham's seed would be multiplied, that he would be exceedingly fruitful, and that he would be the father of nations (Genesis 17:1-22).
God promised Abraham that Sarah--who was beyond child-bearing years--would bear a son. Abraham was 90 years old when he received this promise! This was an unnatural, seemingly impossible promise. God's Word to you includes amazing promises. Believe God for great things--even for the impossible!
God told Abraham that from his own loins would come a son with whom the covenant would be established. While God would bless his son, Ishmael, and make a great nation of him, it was Isaac and his seed who would receive the covenant promises. How does this part of the covenant apply to you spiritually? Let’s trace the story...
Initially after receiving the promise of a son, Abraham tried to bring forth this covenant blessing through self-effort. Ishmael was born of a servant girl named Hagaar. with whom Abraham had relations. Abraham knew God wanted to make him the father of a great nation and it seemed impossible that an heir could come through his elderly and barren wife, Sarah. So Abraham took matters into his own hands and Ishmael was born.
But whose power was behind Ishmael, that of Abraham or that of God? Was the attempted fulfillment of the promised blessing man-made or God-made? Was it birthed by the flesh or by the Spirit? Ishmael represents your attempts to achieve God’s blessings. You can bring an "Ishmael" on the scene any time through your own efforts, but an "Isaac" must be birthed by God in His timing.
Who is the source of your blessings? Who is the source of your spiritual vision? Who is the source of your ministry? Is your vision a useless striving of the flesh to attain power and fame, or is it birthed by the Spirit of God? It is time for “Isaac” to be birthed in your spirit and in order for this to happen, “Ishmael”–the flesh–must be cast out. God told Abraham that Isaac, the son of the Spirit, could not abide in the same house with Ishmael, the son of the flesh.
God is saying to you as He did to Abraham: "Grieve not for Ishmael [self-effort], for in Isaac shall your seed be called." The fulfillment of divine destiny comes by the Spirit of God, not by the works of your flesh. Put aside all self-effort, your plans, your ambitions, and your preconceived ideas.
"Ishmael", birthed by your flesh, must be cast out so that your spiritual "Isaac" can flourish.
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