A Kingdom Key Devotional by Bishop Thomas Wesley Weeks, Sr.
Breaking Generational Curses - Part 3
After 89 years, when it now seemed impossible for either Abraham or Sarah to have a child, God set the time and Sarah gave birth to her only child. Abraham was 99 when she conceived. Now the real trouble begins. Ishmael is 14 when Isaac is born. Abraham had plenty of time to bond with Ishmael. The bond was tight enough that when God told Abraham that Isaac's time of coming was at hand, Abraham laughed and asked God to use Ishmael ( Genesis 17:18 ). Unknowingly, Abraham was forming an attitude that would affect his second and promised son.
"There are times when we must examine the source of our attitudes and determine the effect it has on those around us. Yes, it may seem like a little thing to us, but it becomes a big thing to the one who must live with our slights and insensitivity. In the midst of the pain we cause is a seed that will one day produce similar behavior."
When Sarah weaned Isaac, Abraham threw a party for him. At the party Sarah caught Ishmael mocking Isaac. She was furious and demanded that Abraham evict Hagar and Ishmael. Abraham did, but only after God intervened and told him to do so. The Bible said evicting them grieved Abraham greatly. ( Genesis 21:9-12 ). Obviously this was not the first time Ishmael had mocked Isaac. As a young child this contention was leaving a footprint on his life. When we were young, events beyond our control wounded us when there was no one to protect us. We've grown up with these misdeeds which have their source in the weakness of others' lives. Yet, there comes a time when we must get our healing and move on. Thank God, He doesn't leave us without a way to be healed.
Just about the time you think Isaac would be getting over the pain of the past, God speaks to Abraham and tells him Isaac is to be an offering. Yes, kill Isaac. Imagine the struggle Abraham had to endure as he dealt with a number of issues. Was not this the son God promised, and also Sarah's only child? How would she handle this? Her only child. The child of her old age. This death would come after her years of waiting and handling the abuse of the other women because she was barren. It did not matter that she was beautiful and to be desired even in her old age. She needed to be fulfilled. At last God granted her the desire of her heart. Was it going to come to a terrible end?
What about the promise? Was God going back on His word? Would he and Sarah go through conceiving and nurturing another baby? What would people say or think when they find out that he had murdered his son? Would they blame his love for Ishmael for this act? Would Sarah? What about Isaac? How is he going to handle the thought that his father wanted to take his life because a voice told him to? These issues were just the tip of the iceberg. Life is not simple. Every action has a reaction with a great deal of consequences. Somehow, Abraham pressed his way past all the issues and decided that if he killed Isaac, God somehow would raise him up again. (Hebrews 11:17-19). Consequently, he did not bother to bring his dilemma to Sarah because he figured the end would justify the means as long as he brings back an Isaac who is alive.
Abraham pays a terrible price for his insensitivity. He had enough faith to believe that God would raise Isaac, he should have extended that faith to believe that God would speak to Sarah and make her a willing participant. The insensitivity goes further. On two occasions Abraham asked Sarah to lie about their relationship and deny that she was his wife to save his life. His wife ended up in another mans house twice and it took God, not Abraham, to keep Sarah from reproach. That kind of insensitivity had to have hurt Sarah.
Was this too, a generational curse? Terah, Abraham’s father, from the little we know about him did not seem to be a sensitive person. He gave one son his half sister as a wife and another son, his niece as a wife. Not much of a choice, not much for the sons to look forward to. When God spoke to Abraham to leave his country and family behind and travel to a land that He would show Abraham, Terah balked. He kept control of the family and set out to Canaan. His leadership only got Abraham halfway there. Terah stopped and set up a homestead at Haran. The Lord had to speak to Abraham a second time to get Abraham to leave Terah and the rest of the family with just Sarah and Lot traveling to the Promised Land with him.
It may not seem like a big thing but after Abraham’s departure, the Bible never speaks of Abraham and his father talking again. Abraham's departure could have been under great duress. The Bible actually makes it a big thing, emphasizing and pointing out the love and need for reconnection between Isaac and Jacob and Jacob and Joseph when sons had to spend time away from their fathers.
Would Abraham pass this insensitivity on to Isaac? Where will the pain stop? Family leaders, especially pastors, must be very careful not to destroy our families in the name of the Lord. Even with a strong anointed call on our lives, the Lord still expects us to be husbands and fathers. We can become so heavenly powerful that we are of no earthly good. Do not neglect your family! Do not curse them to a future that is not theirs because of your lack of discipline over your own life. Take time to love, appreciate and listen. What you plant will last for generations!
