Spiritual maturity and faith

Abraham’s journey of spiritual growth is a powerful example of spiritual maturity, which we only gain through loving people, maintaining a relationship with God, being obedient, and living in faith. When God first called Abraham to leave his homeland, Abraham obeyed despite not knowing the destination, demonstrating initial faith (Genesis 12:1-4). However, his early reliance on human reasoning often revealed spiritual immaturity. He technically lied that Sarah was his sister (Genesis 12:10-20), the most outstanding incident was when he tried to fulfil God’s promise through Hagar the maid-servant instead of waiting for God’s timing (Genesis 16) - despite his spiritual immaturity God chose him.

Why did God choose Abraham

God chose Abraham (initially Abram) because he was a righteous man for believing in God (Genesis 15:6). Abraham demonstrated a very kind and passionate heart by going to great lengths to save his nephew Lot. Genesis 14:14 When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out the 318 trained men born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan). Additionally Abraham recovered the possessions (Genesis 14:13-16). He was not moved by these material possessions, he was not a greedy person, instead he had a kind and genuine heart for sinful imperfect people. According to Genesis 14:21-24 The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself.” 22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “With raised hand I have sworn an oath to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, 23 that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich.’ 24 I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to the men who went with me—to Aner, Eshkol and Mamre. Let them have their share.”

Abraham also proved he had a heart of gratitude; upon saving his nephew and gaining victory, Melchizedek king of Salem blessed Abraham Genesis 14:18-20 , and in turn Abraham was so grateful he gave Melchizedek a tenth of the possessions. In Genesis 18:2-8 . Abraham was a profoundly hospitable person; One day without hesitating, Abraham shows immediate hospitality to three mysterious guests that visited him. He immediately gave them water to wash their feet, he quickly ran into his tent and asked Sarah to bake cakes with finest meal, while he prepared a tender calf for them. On another noteworthy incident Abraham did not judge people, his heart was filled with compassion, he remained standing before God and stated his petition: he pleaded for possibly righteous people that could have been in Sodom, he didn’t want God to wipe out the righteous with the wicked (Genesis 18:22-33). Abraham never hesitated, nor did he think twice to save people, share a good amount of wealth that he worked hard for, and he wasn’t shy to feed his guests, he did it with a good heart in faith. He never held back because he knew that God was his miraculous provider.

God's promise to Abraham

God was clearly pleased with Abraham's kind nature; his love for people over material possessions, and his heart of gratitude. God blessed him abundantly, bestowing upon him remarkable wealth and prosperity. (Genesis 13:2). However at the time, Abraham had no children to inherit his wealth (Genesis 15:3). Sarah, Abraham's wife; was past the reproductive age. Despite Sarah's advanced age, God promised Abraham and Sarah a son.

Spiritually immaturity

At the time Sarah was spiritually immature, and she laughed aloud in disbelief when she learned that God had promised to give her a child because she assumed that having children would be impossible. (Genesis 18). Following God's promise. Sarah did not bear Abraham an heir for many years. Sarah grew older, more impatient, and more concerned. Sarah confessed her worries to Abraham. Both Sarah and Abraham, being spiritually immature, they decided to have Sarah's maidservant, Hagar, conceive a child for them. It was common practice in ancient biblical times for barren women to allow their husbands to impregnate the slaves and then claim the children as their own.

According to scholars, Hagar's status as a slave remains unchanged; however, Hagar knew if she bears the child, she may become the primary wife in the eyes of society. Hagar who was also spiritually immature, became proud and arrogant for having conceived, and she despised Sarah (Genesis 16:4). Sarah was understandably enraged because she initiated and permitted the pregnancy. Sarah and Abraham talked about Hagar's proud behavior. Abraham delegated authority to Sarah to deal with Hagar's unruly attitude. Sarah was indeed very harsh with Hagar. Unable to bear Sarah's harsh treatment, Hagar fled into the wilderness in distress.

Finding Humility in the Wilderness: Hagar's Journey of Submission and Calling

Due to Hagar's pride and arrogance toward Sarah, she ended up devastated, and alone in the wilderness. She was merely a slave, and as a foreigner; hardly anyone would have been aware of her existence. Suddenly in the middle of nowhere, an angel appeared to her. The angel inquired; “Where are you coming from and where are you going”? She replied, “I am fleeing from the presence of my mistress Sarai.” The angel told Hagar to go back and submit to Sarah (Genesis 16:9), implying Hagar must lose the pride and remain humble as she fulfills that calling.

God reveals His love and mercy even to the one He did not "initially" choose

God "heard" Hagar's affliction, He also knew she was alone without family of her own, so He reveals His love and mercy for her by promising her a multitudes of offspring. The angel of the Lord said to Hagar in Genesis 16:10-11 “I will surely multiply your offspring so that they cannot be numbered for multitude.” 11 And the angel of the Lord said to her, “Behold, you are pregnant and shall bear a son. You shall call his name Ishmael, because the Lord has listened to your affliction.

God sees affliction and responds with righteousness and justice

In amazement Hagar said, “You are the God who sees me". She also said, “Have I truly seen the One who sees me?” (Genesis 16:13) Despite Hagar’s pride and her unnoticed status as a slave, she encountered God's voice in the wilderness. In God's eyes, she was not just a slave, but a "person" He loved. He offered her comfort and a renewed sense of purpose, even though her son, Ishmael, was born through human "will" rather than divine intent. This moment underscores how God's love and purpose transcend earthly positions, as He sees value in every individual regardless of their circumstances.

God's Promise fulfilled

About 14 years after the birth of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, Isaac was born to Sarah. At the time Abraham was a 100 years old and Sarah was 99 (Genesis 21:5)

I personally believe that God chose to give Abraham and Sarah a child at a late age because they had to go through a journey, learn lessons to gain spiritual maturity. Despite their righteousness and faith, they still needed to grow spiritually.

When God requested for Isaac to be sacrificed, and Isaac asked his father Abraham, where is the sacrifice, Abraham's response to Isaac proved that he eventually gained spiritual maturity and confidence in God. He knew that God will keep the promises to bless Isaac and his descendants;(Genesis 17:19). The promise was made before Isaac was born, and through Abraham's spiritual growth journey he knew that God will provide the sacrifice: Genesis 22:7-8: Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father? “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.“The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” 8 Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.

The enemy wants us to stay infants, dependent on milk. Like babies; we fear in despair at every problem we encounter. However, when we endure difficulties, we must be spiritually mature, maintain our faith, and rely on God's promises.

1 Corinthians 3:1-3 New King James Version (NKJV)

"3 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; 3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?" ~ This verse demonstrates that discord stems from spiritual immaturity, as babies still need milk rather than solids. We must mature spiritually in order to understand why we are experiencing difficulties.

Reflections:

Genesis 22:7-8: Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father? “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.“The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” 8 Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.

• What does this verse tell you about the way we should speak?

• What does Jesus Christ and His sacrifice mean to you?

• Why do you think you are a Christian?

God Bless you.

~Natlie Loots~