Why is it we can have great blessings but fail to enjoy them because we are so distracted by wanting other things? What is it in our human nature that desires what we don’t have or envies what others have?

These questions came to mind as I read Genesis 20-21. These chapters relate four events, and the most important is given the fewest verses.

First, Abraham lies to Abimelech, claiming Sarah is his sister. He does so out of fear, knowing she is a beautiful woman that a heathen king would have no qualms about taking into his harem.

Second, Isaac is born—Abraham’s promised heir. There is great joy in the camp when the unbelievable occurs. A child is born to a 90-year-old mother and a 100-year-old father.

Third, Abraham and the Philistines of Abimelech’s kingdom argue and fight. Abraham has agreed to treat Abimelech well, but the Philistines are disagreeable, seizing the well Abraham has dug for his household.

Fourth, Sarah finally has enough of Hagar and Ishmael’s presence in her family. She forces Abraham to expel them from the camp.

Think about it. God has performed an absolute miracle in Abraham and Sarah’s lives. One would expect there would be nothing but generosity, complete trust in God, and joy for all who encounter them. Yet, sinful human nature casts a shadow on the pleasure and delight that Isaac’s birth should have brought. The result is infighting, jealousy, and deception at a time when there should have been worship.

But God…

We can relate to these stories because as He is so faithful to do for us, God intervened and brought resolution and good from the chaos their failures created.

God spoke directly to Abimelech, revealing Sarah was married and warning him to return her upon threat of death. He also closed the wombs of Abimelech’s wives. In other words, “Abraham and Sarah belong to me, and you shall not touch them!” Abimelech offers an apology gift of sheep, cattle, and servants and tells Abraham he can live wherever he wants.

Abraham and Abimelech agree to show kindness to one another, but Abimelech’s men are likely jealous of Abraham’s wealth and success and cause conflict over the well. In the end, Abraham digs a new one, “pays” Abimelech for it with seven lambs, and calls it Beersheba, meaning “well of the sevenfold oath.” It becomes a place of worship for Abraham and is mentioned multiple times in scripture as the southern border of Israel’s land: from Dan to Beersheba.

When Sarah’s resentment of Hagar boils over into Hagar’s banishment to the desert, God finds her there, crying and expecting her son to die. God provides an oasis of water that saves their lives. Ishmael grows to manhood and becomes the father of twelve tribes, just as God promised.

So much conflict.

So much fear.

So much jealousy.

So much dissension.

All because people (both heathen and godly) are distracted from the blessings God has given them. Such is human nature, and I’m sure you can testify to the same kinds of experiences in your own lives.

What’s our takeaway?

These chapters remind us of two things. First, we ought to do better. We should keep our eyes on what God has blessed us with and stop looking at what others have. We need to trust Him implicitly, even in danger, and not create more chaos with our own plans of self-preservation.

Secondly, we can be grateful and acknowledge the many times God rescues us and brings good from our messes.

God will never give up on His wayward child.

God will protect His foolish child.

God will make it possible to live in peace in a hostile world.

God will give us success according to the promises He has made.

What will you look at today? Your own blessings, or the distractions that only cause you to miss what God is doing right in front of you?