What Happens When We Take God’s Promises Into Our Own Hands?

Why did God bless Ishmael—and yet choose Isaac as the son of promise?God promised Abraham a son, but as the years passed, Abraham and Sarah struggled to see how that promise could be fulfilled. Sarah gave her servant Hagar to Abraham, and Hagar gave birth to Ishmael. Yet God made clear that His covenant would continue through Isaac. What does that distinction tell us about faith and God’s promises?In this episode, Dr. Corey and Dr. Ben explore the story of Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, and Ishmael. They explain the difference between earthly blessing and covenant blessing, consider Paul’s comparison of Ishmael and Isaac, and discuss their perspective on the spiritual roots of tension in the Middle East.So, was Ishmael saved—and what can his story teach us about trusting God rather than taking matters into our own hands?Discover:Why Sarah gave Hagar to AbrahamHow Abraham and Sarah tried to fulfill God’s promise themselvesHow God cared for Hagar and blessed IshmaelWhy Ishmael was not the son of promiseHow Paul contrasts Ishmael and Isaac in GalatiansWhy the hosts distinguish earthly blessing from saving faithWhat this story teaches us about waiting on God’s timing Key Passages:Genesis 16–17 • Genesis 21 • Galatians 3–4Ishmael’s story raises difficult questions about blessing, faith, and the consequences of disobedience. Dr. Corey and Dr. Ben explain why receiving earthly blessings is different from belonging to God’s covenant people—and how God’s promise to Abraham ultimately points to Jesus Christ.👉 Subscribe for more theology (and a lot more fun).🎧 Available wherever you listen to podcastsListen on Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/theology-is-fun/id1808965100Listen on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/4EZUfXCbWCbSs6VpbAYSEbFollow Corey Abney on Instagramhttps://instagram.com/corey.abneyFollow Ben Skaug on Instagramhttps://instagram.com/ben.skaugLearn more about Bell Shoals Churchhttps://instagram.com/bellshoalsWatch full sermons from Dr. Corey Abneyhttps://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLbG1nVw0Ymu2gj1-OkB9WyX9vgWaOtot#TheologyIsFun #Ishmael #Abraham #Isaac #GodsPromises #ChristianTheology #BibleStudy