Actions have consequences. God has built into the universe the law of cause and effect. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap (Galatians 6:7 NKJV). Let's look at what occurred from a seemingly inconsequential decision. God told Abraham to leave his country and go to a land which He would show him (Genesis 12:1). Abraham was obedient and did so. However, not long after he was in the land of Canaan, there was a famine. Instead of trusting in God, he took his family down to Egypt to escape the famine. Deceived into thinking that Sarah was Abraham's sister, Pharaoh provided Abraham sheep, oxen, donkeys, servants, and camels for her. Later, when Abraham and his family returned to the land of Canaan, strife developed between Abraham and Lot regarding the livestock. Now the land was not able to support them, that they might dwell together, for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together (Genesis 13:6). Their solution was to separate from one another. Lot went east and Abraham went west. The only problem was Sodom and Gomorrah were in the east; cities which would later be destroyed by God because their sin was very grave (Genesis 18:20). If Abraham and Lot had not gone to Egypt in the first place, would Lot have ever taken his family toward Sodom? We do not know. But we do know the reason for going in that direction was because of the livestock they acquired while in Egypt. I wonder if that ill-advised decision haunted Abraham, especially after Lot lost his wife. Another acquirement from Egypt was a maidservant named Hagar. As things turned out, Hagar bore Abraham a son, Ishmael. This was because Sarah was barren, and she said to Abraham, See now, the LORD has restrained me from bearing children. Please, go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her (Genesis 16:2). This was an accepted custom in those days, though not approved of by God. After Hagar conceived, a rivalry developed between her and Sarah. Ultimately, Hagar and her son were sent away after Isaac was born. It was said of Ishmael that, He shall be a wild man; His hand shall be against every man, And every man’s hand against him. And he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren (Genesis 16:12). God also said of Ishmael to Abraham, And as for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall beget twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation (Genesis 17:20). Ishmael's descendants "were one of several peoples who were ancestors of the Arabians" (ChristianCourier.com, Ishmael: His Hand Against Every Man). It was Islamic Arabs who planned and executed the attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001.
It is shocking how far reaching the effects of just one bad, sinful decision can go. It's like throwing a rock into a creek and watching the ripple effect. Sin can put oneself and others in harmful situations now and even in the future. Knowing the hurtful nature of sin should provide ample motivation to stay away from it and warn others of it. Moreover, knowing the good nature of God should motivate us to trust His ways. It is too late to change our bad decisions, but it is not too late to do what God has said. While we may have to live with the consequences of our deeds, we can also live knowing we are forgiven of them. Thank God through Jesus Christ our Savior for that! But if we do not repent of our sins, the misery they have produced in this life will infinitely multiply in an eternal hell, where unrepentant sinners are sentenced. Jesus said, Unless you repent you will all likewise perish (Luke 13:3). Actions have consequences.
Brotherly, Jamie
