Anthony Mathenia explains in this video that Abraham did hear from God and obeyed God. However, there was a pattern of disobedience. We see him lacking trust in God, lying, and also acting in unbelief. Unfortunately, that negative pattern of sin was set and it affects subsequent generations. God doesn't need our help -- when we try to do something ourselves, it never ends well. When we sin, there will be consequences. Accordingly, we must mortify the deeds of the flesh and seek to honor and obey God.

Proverbs 12:22 (NKJV) - "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight."

Abraham did hear from God. We know him as the father of our faith, and when he heard from God, he obeyed God. His life was also marked by a pattern of disobedience, unfortunately. Almost immediately after hearing from God and Him stepping out in faith, then we see Him lacking trust in the promises that God had made Him when He lies about Sarai being His sister. And then we see Him acting in unbelief when he implements a plan to help God out to bring about the promised son with Hagar, that results in Ishmael.

And then again we see him lying about Sarah for his own selfish convenience. He's not worried about what's going to happen to his wife. He's worried about what's going to happen to himself. And this is a terrible pattern for Abraham to set for his family, for his wife, for his children. And unfortunately, that negative pattern of sin was set and it affects generations.

I mean, there's a reminder for the next generation among Ishmael and the Ishmaelites that God doesn't need our help. When we try to help him the Consequences are never good. And so we have that there, that erring part of Abraham, not heeding the word of God, not believing and trusting in the promises of God, resulting, resulted in sin and disobedience and consequences, temporal consequences that lasted for the rest of his life. And the same is true for us. When we sin, there will be consequences.

We must seek to mortify the deeds of the flesh, follow God in full obedience and seek to honor Him and what He's written in His Word in every aspect of who we are.