by Sister Sabbay ( July 11th, 2008 ) 

Isaac a man of promise, a child bore of Sarah and Abraham, born of old age.  Circumcision was given as a sign of Righteousness by faith

(Phil 3:9).

The old and new covenant can not dwell together.  Within our daily life we must cast out our old covenant, worldly ways, accepting the new covenant, faith in God.  The Most High requires a new covenant experience.  

(Genesis 21:12):
“And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called”  (Gen 21:12).
 
An internal struggle signifies that one has not let go of their old ways.  God said unto Abraham let it not be grievous, for in Isaac thy seed shall be called. 
 
Some of us may be going through a struggle regarding an old and new covenant experience.  Both old and new covenants existed during the time of Abraham, later highlighted and amplified by Paul in Galatians 4.  The son of the bondwoman,  Ishmael was not heir with the son of promise, Isaac.  Symbolically we can look at the characters of both Isaac and Ishmael.  Ishmael was a man with his hand against everyman’s hands.   Yet, the character of Isaac was one of submission and peace, as he moved away from contention, turning the other cheek:
 
“But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also” (Matt 5:39).
 
Isaac possessed divine nature.  “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger” (Pro 15:1), this is the character that God’s people must possess.  If we find ourselves causing strife and contention, we have stepped out of the new covenant experience.  We must not step out of the divine nature of God. 
 
Ishmael was a wild man, epitomizing an old covenant experience fueled by the works of the flesh (Gal 5:19-21).   They that are born after the flesh will persecute, as evidenced by all the fallen Kingdoms of Babylon (Rev 18:1-4).  Thus, the character of Christ, as evidenced in Isaac must radiate from inside our hearts outwards, manifesting the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22-23). 
 
Galatians 4 explains that the majority of the world’s population will manifest an old covenant experience; the new covenant will be observed in only a few, found without guile (Rev 14:4,5).  Ishmael was mocking Isaac, epitomizing the spirit of Satan.  Abraham’s spiritual seed must then cast out the old covenant experience completely.  If we have the new covenant experience, we will be peaceful, children of God, displaying God’s character with whom we encounter, sharing the goodness of the Everlasting Gospel (Rev 14:6,7; Rom 1:16,17):
 
“So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free” (Gal 4:31).  
We must surrender to God completely.
 
“And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations” (Gen 17:9).

Cited from “Truth For The Final Generation” Elder Ward’s ( July 11th 2008 ) Message www.TruthinJesus.org