{"id":3364,"date":"2020-06-19T16:15:40","date_gmt":"2020-06-19T06:15:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/?p=3364"},"modified":"2020-06-19T16:17:54","modified_gmt":"2020-06-19T06:17:54","slug":"sunday-sermon-21-06-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/?p=3364","title":{"rendered":"Sunday Sermon 21-06-2020"},"content":{"rendered":"

Service June 21, 2020 Leighmoor UC<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Possible hymns:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

TIS 130: We plough the seed and scatter<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

TIS 474: Here in this place<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

TIS 473: Community of Christ<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

TIS 585:\u00a0 <\/span>I heard the voice of Jesus say<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

TIS 629: When I needed a neighbour\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Bible Readings:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Genesis 21: 8-21<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Psalm 86: 1-10, 16-17<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Romans 6: 1b-11<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Matthew 10: 24-39<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Prayers of Adoration, Thanksgiving and Confession.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

God of the desert, you reach out in compassion toward all who cry to you in their need.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Those who have been called \u2018forgotten\u2019, you name \u2018beloved.\u2019<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Those who have been cast out, you gather to yourself.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Those who have been reviled, you bless.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Fashion us after your own heart, so that we may love as you love, and care as you care.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Without you, life is like a desert, but with you, life can be like the country after abundant rain.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

You have blessed us in so many rich and wonderful ways-through family, home, and friends,<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

with shelter, gardens, pets, food, and with laughter.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

We thank you that you are out there-in the wilderness of street and prison, hearing the voices of the poor and the needy.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

We thank you that you show no partiality, but love the whole human family.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

And yet, to you, our merciful and loving God-we confess that sometimes our ways are unjust.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

We who enjoy the blessing of family and friends, sometimes limit caring for those in the deserts of loneliness, isolation, or illness.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Forgive us.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

We confess that we have turned away from oppression, we have distanced ourselves from scenes of pain, shut ourselves off from the cries of the homeless.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Forgive us.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Forgive us when we separate ourselves from you, from the rest of the human family, whom you love.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

God is love.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Through Christ our sins are forgiven.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

(Thanks be to God<\/i>).<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Take hold of this forgiveness and live your life in the power of the Holy Spirit.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Amen.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Sermon\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018The teacher sat around a blazing fire with a small number of students, late at night.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The teacher asked a question:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow can we know when the night has ended and the day has begun?\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Eagerly one young man answered-<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know the night is over and the day has begun when you can look off in the distance and determine which animal is your dog and which is the sheep.\u00a0 <\/span>Is that the right answer, teacher?\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt is a good answer,\u201d the teacher said slowly, \u201cbut it is not the answer I would give,\u201d he said.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

After several minutes of discussion, a second student ventured a guess.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know the night is over and the day has begun when light falls on the leaves and you can tell whether it is a palm tree or a fig tree.\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Once again the teacher shook his head. \u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat was a fine answer, but it is not the answer I see,\u201d he said gently.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Immediately the students began to argue with one another.\u00a0 <\/span>Finally, one of them begged the teacher, \u201cAnswer your own question, Teacher, for we cannot think of another response.\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The teacher looked intently at the eager young faces before he began to speak. \u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you look into the eyes of a human being and see a brother or sister, you know that it is morning.\u00a0 <\/span>If you cannot see a sister or brother, you will know that it will always be night.\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

-if you cannot see a sister or brother, you will know that it will always be night.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, playing with her son Isaac.\u00a0 <\/span>So she said to Abraham, \u201cCast out this slave woman with her son; for the son of this slave woman shall not inherit along with my son Isaac.\u2019\u201d (Gen 21:9-10)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Last Sunday I chose to deviate from the lectionary.\u00a0 <\/span>If we had followed it we would have heard the promise to Abraham and Sarah-and the fulfilment of that promise through the birth of Isaac.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

-God\u2019s blessing to a family.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

But Genesis is also a story about another family- the whole human family outside the family of Abraham.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

-a reminder that the God of Israel is also the God of other families, like that of Hagar and Ishmael.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The past two weeks have dealt with God\u2019s covenant relationship with Abraham, Sarah and Isaac.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Abram shown the stars and being told his descendants will be more numerous than those heavenly bodies.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

A familiar story. \u00a0 <\/span>A visit by three angels who promise that Sarah will give birth in her old age.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

She laughs.\u00a0 <\/span>When the baby is born she names him Isaac \u2018he who laughs\/rejoices\u2019<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Today we hear about God\u2019s covenant relationship with Abraham, Hagar and Ishmael.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s go back a step, to when Sarah was childless-in her eighties.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

They had been promised by God that they would be parents of a great nation.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

But time went by- and still no child.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Life was not easy for Sarah.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

-to be barren, without child-made her a victim of ridicule and contempt.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

-survival depended on children.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

It was the woman who was blamed for infertility,<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

so she was viewed as worthless.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

So, what does Sarah do?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

She\u2019s tired of waiting, time\u2019s running out (she is in her eighties!), not getting any younger!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

She doesn\u2019t wait for God to act.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

-she doesn\u2019t wait for God to act.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

She\u2019s TIRED of waiting.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

So she takes matters into her own hands.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

She suggests that Abraham take her Egyptian slave Hagar as a wife<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

-to bear an heir.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

So Abraham fathers a child through the maid, Hagar.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Back in chapter 16 we read of Sarai (before she is blessed with the name Sarah \u2018princess\u2019 and Abram becomes Abraham-\u2018father of many\/a multitude\u2019) suggesting this to Abram.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

It appears that there was a law or custom that allowed for this to take place.\u00a0 <\/span>In certain Mesopotamian documents it sets out this kind of law and practice.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

If a wife provided her husband with a slave girl for the purpose of childbearing, the husband could not take a concubine on his own-which, he might do, if his wife was childless.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The purpose of this law was 2 fold:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. To protect the wife\u2019s status<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
  2. To prevent the possibility of a divided inheritance-since the children from the slave girl would be legally the wife\u2019s own.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \u201cPerhaps I shall have sons through her,\u201d Sarah says to Abraham.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    What might appear to us as shocking- was accounted for in local laws\/customs.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Also- if the slave girl bore children and thought she was better than her mistress-the wife could return her to her ordinary household tasks-and if she-the slave girl-remained childless- she could be sold.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    So, in Chapter 16, after Hagar had conceived and looked on Sarai with contempt, Abram, following this law-gives her back to Sarai:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    \u2018But Abram said to Sarai, \u201cYour slave-girl is in your power; do to her as you please.\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    BUT even so-Sarah is not cast in a good light-<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    \u2018Then Sarah dealt harshly with her, and she ran away from her.\u2019<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    -so Hagar and Sarah don\u2019t get on!\u00a0 <\/span>How long has this been the case?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    -this incident took place back in Chapter 16.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Today we\u2019re reading Chapter 21!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Bad relations!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    The life of a slave is not a happy one-<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    and it appears that Sarah has no wish to change that!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    At last Sarah-wonder of wonders- has a child, a boy, Isaac, which means \u2018he who laughs.\u2019<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    And there\u2019s a feast, a celebration-the end of his weaning<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    -a way to celebrate a stage of growth.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    But Sarah sees Isaac and Ishmael playing together-and she\u2019s not happy!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    -is she still bitter?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    -is Ishmael a reminder of Hagar\u2019s fertility?\u00a0 <\/span>Of her youth?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    -or is she displeased because Ishmael is playing, or drawing attention to himself-rather than allowing the focus of attention to be Isaac, whose feast day it is?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    We do not know<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    -we do not know.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    But Sarah still feels mocked, is bitter.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    She demands that Abraham throw Hagar and Ishmael out of the house, into the desert-<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    -she\u2019s worried that Ishmael would inherit what was rightly Isaac\u2019s.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    -she has never got over the arrogance of Hagar-she doesn\u2019t trust her.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Abraham is distressed- for Ishmael is his son,<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Yet God promises Abraham that Ishmael will survive-indeed, he too will be part of a nation.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    -indeed, the Arabian tribes who surrounded the southern region of Judah claimed descent from Ishmael.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Abraham embraces his son for the last time-and provides him with some bread and a skin of water-an inadequate gesture towards humanity- a mouthful of food, a few swallows of water for two living beings on foot in the wilderness that leads to Egypt.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Abraham, it is true-has God\u2019s assurance that it will go well with his son, but like all assurances that are based on faith-it has to contend with grim and present realities that seem to contradict it.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    But Hagar, who has no assurance of any kind, can only despair as she makes her way through the wilderness until the water is used up.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    This is a very hard story to hear.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    And-so appropriate as we come to the end of Refugee Week.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Hagar, the single mother, weeps over her weakened child in the desert.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    \u2018Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot; for she said, \u201cDo not let me look on the death of the child.\u201d And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept.\u2019(Gen 21:16)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    -she moves away from him- she cannot bear to watch her Ishmael die, can\u2019t bear to hear him crying out for water.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Isn\u2019t this the story of so many around the world?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    But a miracle happens-God hears the child\u2019s cries (the name \u2018Ishmael\u2019 means \u2018God hears.\u2019)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    -tells Hagar not to be afraid<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    -tells Hagar of Ishmael\u2019s special destiny<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    -opens her eyes to see the well-the life-giving water.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    It\u2019s not a familiar story.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    -not one that is heard a lot-because of its pain.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Although this story of Hagar and Ishmael is a pivotal one in Islam (remember Abraham is seen as Father of both Judaism (through Isaac) and of Islam (through Ishmael), it hasn\u2019t been so for us.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Jews and Christians tend to favour stories of younger brothers who do well-rather than of older brothers who get saved.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    We delight when younger Jacob tricks his older brother, Esau (couldn\u2019t he see that if he\u2019d waited, been more patient, he would have been fed-and he wouldn\u2019t have needed to sell his birthright for a bowl of lentil soup!)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    We love to see little Joseph step ahead of all his older brothers who tried to kill him.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    We rejoice with David-the smallest, youngest brother of the smallest tribe of Israel-who becomes king!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    We celebrate with the younger prodigal son-and sometimes wonder why the older brother wouldn\u2019t join the homecoming party.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Israel loved to tell such stories.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Little Israel-among the smallest of the nations-once without a home-now part of the United Nations.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    The church loves to tell such stories.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    One reason we like these stories is because, as Gentiles, we had no part in the promises of God to Israel.\u00a0 <\/span>They weren\u2019t given by God to us.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Yet- in an amazing act of grace-God in Christ gave these promises to us as well.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Hagar\u2019s story continues.\u00a0 <\/span>We, as the \u2018younger brothers\u2019 in the West watch the deaths of thousands in Africa, and in other parts of the world.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    We could apply this story to our indigenous people too. \u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Too bad that Sarah couldn\u2019t celebrate the birth of her son Isaac, and enjoy that good gift.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Too bad that bitterness and jealousy make her drive Hagar and Ishmael out into the desert.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Why do our blessings, which we haven\u2019t earned-and don\u2019t deserve- sometimes become the wedge between us and others less fortunate?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    It\u2019s painful for us to hear of Sarah\u2019s actions<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    -AND to hear of Abraham\u2019s cowardly compliance.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    It\u2019s painful for us to hear of the plight of those without the basics of life-all around the world, and in our own communities.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    The story of Hagar and Ishmael may not be a story about us- but it is a story about much of the world.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Much of the world can identify more with the suffering of Hagar and Ishmael, and their abandonment-than with the joy of Sarah, Abraham and Isaac.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Today, let us recall that our God is not small.\u00a0 <\/span>God heard the cries of Hagar<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    -and the cries of the child.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Exposed, endangered, at risk-God loves these people as well.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Who will hear their cries?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Who will make sure they are not forgotten as we wait out this pandemic?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    -as charities, churches, international aid organizations are in lock down or have a reduced number of workers?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    \u2018If you cannot see a sister or brother, you will know that it will always be night.\u2019<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Amen.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    21.6.20 Leighmoor UC<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Prayer<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Loving God,<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    As we give thanks for all the blessings of this life,<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    keep us mindful of your love for the outcast, the disinherited, the refugee, the poor, the imprisoned, and indigenous communities worldwide.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    May we open our eyes-to see their plight<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    -may we open our ears-to hear their cries<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    -may we open our hearts and our hands-so that we respond with compassion, love, and strength.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Amen<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Prayers of the People<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Loving Christ, we pray for peace, among all nations<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Teach us your ways.<\/i><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    We pray for peace within every country, especially in riot-torn United States<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Teach us your ways<\/i><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    We pray for honesty in government, and compassion among all leaders<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Teach us your ways.<\/i><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    We pray for the Uniting Church, celebrating its 43rd<\/sup> anniversary this Tuesday.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Teach us your ways.<\/i><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    We pray for an end to war, injustice, and violence.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Teach us your ways.<\/i><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    We pray for those suffering with covid-19, for their families, friends, for the health care workers,\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Teach us your ways.<\/i><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    We pray for harmony in the home, and a respect for one another\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Teach us your ways.<\/i><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    We pray for those suffering because of famine\u2026<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Teach us to share.<\/i><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    We pray for the ill, those awaiting surgery, those undergoing treatment<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Teach us your ways.<\/i><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Help us to live according to your teachings, help us to be your presence in the world.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    In the words you have taught us, we are confident when we pray to say,<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    \u2018Our Father\u2026<\/i>\u2019<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Amen.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Dismissal and Blessing<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Let us dig a well in the dry places of the world,<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    let us lead those who are thirsty to God\u2019s refreshing steam of living water.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    May the God of Abraham, Sarah and Isaac,\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    the God of Hagar and Ishmael,<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    bless us now and always,<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Amen<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Rev Barbara Allen 21.6.20 Leighmoor UC<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Service June 21, 2020 Leighmoor UC Possible hymns: TIS 130: We plough the seed and scatter TIS 474: Here in this place TIS 473: Community of Christ TIS 585:\u00a0 I heard the voice of Jesus say TIS 629: When I needed a neighbour\u00a0 Bible Readings: Genesis 21: 8-21 Psalm 86: 1-10, 16-17 Romans 6: 1b-11 Matthew 10: 24-39 Prayers of Adoration, Thanksgiving and Confession. God of the desert, you reach out in compassion toward all who cry to you in their need. Those who have been called \u2018forgotten\u2019, you name \u2018beloved.\u2019 Those who have been cast out, you gather to yourself. Those who have been reviled, you bless. Fashion us after your own heart, so that we may love as you love, and care as you care. Without you, life is like a desert, but with you, life can be like the country after abundant rain. You have blessed us in so many rich and wonderful ways-through family, home, and friends, with shelter, gardens, pets, food, and with laughter. We thank you that you are out there-in the wilderness of street and prison, hearing the voices of the poor and the needy. We thank you that you show no partiality, but love the whole human family. And yet, to you, our merciful and loving God-we confess that sometimes our ways are unjust. We who enjoy the blessing of family and friends, sometimes limit caring for those in the deserts of loneliness, isolation, or illness. Forgive us. We confess that we have turned away from oppression, we have distanced ourselves from scenes of pain, shut ourselves off from the cries of the homeless. Forgive us. Forgive us when we separate ourselves from you, from the rest of the human family, whom you love. God is love. Through Christ our sins are forgiven. (Thanks be to God). Take hold of this forgiveness and live your life in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Sermon\u00a0 \u2018The teacher sat around a blazing fire with a small number of students, late at night. The teacher asked a question: \u201cHow can we know when the night has ended and the day has begun?\u201d Eagerly one young man answered- \u201cYou know the night is over and the day has begun when you can look off in the distance and determine which animal is your dog and which is the sheep.\u00a0 Is that the right answer, teacher?\u201d \u201cIt is a good answer,\u201d the teacher said slowly, \u201cbut it is not the answer I would give,\u201d he said. After several minutes of discussion, a second student ventured a guess. \u201cYou know the night is over and the day has begun when light falls on the leaves and you can tell whether it is a palm tree or a fig tree.\u201d Once again the teacher shook his head. \u00a0 \u201cThat was a fine answer, but it is not the answer I see,\u201d he said gently. Immediately the students began to argue with one another.\u00a0 Finally, one of them begged the teacher, \u201cAnswer your own question, Teacher, for we cannot think of another response.\u201d The teacher looked intently at the eager young faces before he began to speak. \u00a0 \u201cWhen you look into the eyes of a human being and see a brother or sister, you know that it is morning.\u00a0 If you cannot see a sister or brother, you will know that it will always be night.\u201d -if you cannot see a sister or brother, you will know that it will always be night. \u2018But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, playing with her son Isaac.\u00a0 So she said to Abraham, \u201cCast out this slave woman with her son; for the son of this slave woman shall not inherit along with my son Isaac.\u2019\u201d (Gen 21:9-10) Last Sunday I chose to deviate from the lectionary.\u00a0 If we had followed it we would have heard the promise to Abraham and Sarah-and the fulfilment of that promise through the birth of Isaac. -God\u2019s blessing to a family. But Genesis is also a story about another family- the whole human family outside the family of Abraham. -a reminder that the God of Israel is also the God of other families, like that of Hagar and Ishmael. The past two weeks have dealt with God\u2019s covenant relationship with Abraham, Sarah and Isaac. Abram shown the stars and being told his descendants will be more numerous than those heavenly bodies. A familiar story. \u00a0 A visit by three angels who promise that Sarah will give birth in her old age. She laughs.\u00a0 When the baby is born she names him Isaac \u2018he who laughs\/rejoices\u2019 Today we hear about God\u2019s covenant relationship with Abraham, Hagar and Ishmael. Let\u2019s go back a step, to when Sarah was childless-in her eighties. They had been promised by God that they would be parents of a great nation. But time went by- and still no child. Life was not easy for Sarah. -to be barren, without child-made her a victim of ridicule and contempt. -survival depended on children. It was the woman who was blamed for infertility, so she was viewed as worthless. So, what does Sarah do? She\u2019s tired of waiting, time\u2019s running out (she is in her eighties!), not getting any younger! She doesn\u2019t wait for God to act. -she doesn\u2019t wait for God to act. She\u2019s TIRED of waiting. So she takes matters into her own hands. She suggests that Abraham take her Egyptian slave Hagar as a wife -to bear an heir. So Abraham fathers a child through the maid, Hagar. Back in chapter 16 we read of Sarai (before she is blessed with the name Sarah \u2018princess\u2019 and Abram becomes Abraham-\u2018father of many\/a multitude\u2019) suggesting this to Abram. It appears that there was a law or custom that allowed for this to take place.\u00a0 In certain Mesopotamian documents it sets out this kind of law and practice. If a wife provided her husband with 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