ABRAHAM’S OTHER FAMILY

He is never busy..never too late…neither can He deny Himself

Maybe there are things you are believing God for, alas my brother and sister. The competition is too tough. There is a press and it seems as if everyone is fighting hard to be noticed. What we have is a life of grace. It is not solely how we apply ourselves in life that defines how we turn out. It is about knowing where God called us to be. We need to have the confidence and acknowledgement that we are truly for God…and that He is for us. If God is for us…then who can possibly stand against us? So what did God promise Isaac through his father? Wasn’t He faithful enough to honour the word

Gen 25:1-6 Abraham took a another wife, whose name was Keturah. She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak and Shuah. Jokshan was the father of Sheba and Dedan; the descendants of Dedan were the Asshurites, the Letushites and the Leummites. The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida and Eldaah. All these were descendants of Keturah. Abraham left everything he owned to Isaac. 6 But while he was still living, he gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them away from his son Isaac to the land of the east.

Abraham took another wife after the death of Sarah and he had six sons from the union. Jokshan had 2 sons, and one of his sons Dedan had 3 sons, Midian had 5 sons. Altogether there are 16 sons recorded. It is interesting to note that of the sons listed scripture is careful to put that across as the descendants of Keturah not Abraham. Ever wondered why? Of the seed promised to Abraham – sons of the concubines were not included. Abraham was also careful to make sure that these do not mingle and strife with Isaac pertaining the blessing. We established in earlier chapters that God urged Abraham to hearken to his wife Sarah pertaining the sending away of Ishmael. Reason being the son of a stranger wasn’t permitted to share blessings with the son of the promise. Now Abraham had acclimatised this fact as evidenced by his actions. He gave all he had to Isaac while he was still living. As for the sons of the concubines…only gifts were given and after that they were send away.

Lesson.

What God determined for our lives will always come to pass. It will stand regardless of who might try to offset it. If God promises He will always fulfil.