Seventh Day Baptist
Christian Education Council
PO BOX 1678
Janesville, WI 53547
—Genesis 17:20-22
by: Dale Rood.
God heard Abraham’s concern for Ishmael, and promised that he would be the father of a nation—though not the nation of promise. God then declared to Abraham that that was the way things would be and Abraham should not argue with Him. Verse 22 indicates that God terminated the conversation. Does it happen that there are times God may have to terminate a conversation when we want to argue with Him? God does invite us to question Him and arguing with God will not negate the promises and purposes He has for us. But if we keep pushing that conversation, we may suddenly find ourselves feeling alone when God terminates the conversation.