© Duplication and distribution of these readings is encouraged.

Internet: http://NonConformist.MyChurch.com

Genesis 21:

 The expulsion of Ishmael

Back to our text again. 

Now we learn something about the character of our God and His belief in keeping to the rules.

***************(Begin quote)

Genesis 21:

1 And the LORD visited Sarah as He had said [at the lunch meeting of chapter 18], and the LORD did to Sarah as He had spoken. 2 For Sarah conceived, and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him [It all happened naturally to unbeliever’s eyes, except for their great ages].

3 And Abraham called the name of his son that was born to him, whom Sarah bore to him, “Isaac [He (God, enjoys a good) laugh]”. 4 And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him. 5 And Abraham was a hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born to him. 

6 And Sarah said, “God has made me to laugh [with joy too], so that all that hear will laugh with me [let’s all have a good laugh with a God who laughs].” 7 And she said, “Who would have said to Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck?  For I have born him a son in his old age [she herself was 90!].”

***************(End quote)

There are not many times when Jesus or the angels can enjoy a good laugh because of the serious state of this world’s siege.  But like all the inhabitants of the universe He does have a good sense of humour and enjoyment (after all He made the giraffe and the platypus), and so Isaac’s name commemorates this.

***************(Begin quote)

Genesis 21:

8 And the child grew, and was weaned [about 3 years old]: and Abraham made a great feast [party] the same day that Isaac was weaned. 9 And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born to Abraham, mocking [no doubt saying Sarah had tricked them all and the birth was a fake]. 10 Wherefore she said to Abraham, “Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac.”

11 And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because of his son. 

12 And God said to Abraham, “Let it not be grievous in your sight because of the lad [he was about 15 years old], and because of your bondwoman [Abraham loved them both].  In all that Sarah has said to you, hearken to her voice [she is your legal wife and has the right to your undivided affection]; for in Isaac shall your seed be called [or known]. 13 And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is your seed [and has part of your character].”

14 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child [he was about 15 years old, not a baby], and sent her away.

***************(End quote)

This was not much reward for Hagar for such an experience, nor much of a legacy for Ishmael from his father.  It seems that Abraham was not as generous as Abimelech.  Or did she refuse his help in offended pride?

The birth of Isaac, bringing, after a lifetime of waiting, the fulfilment of their dearest hopes, filled the tents of Abraham and Sarah with gladness. But to Hagar this event was the overthrow of her fondly cherished ambitions. Ishmael, now a youth, had been regarded by all in the camp as the heir of Abraham's wealth and the inheritor of the blessings promised to his descendants. Now he was suddenly set aside; and in their disappointment, mother and son hated the child of Sarah.

The general rejoicing increased their jealousy, until Ishmael dared openly to mock the heir of God's promise. Sarah saw in Ishmael's turbulent character a perpetual source of discord, and she appealed to Abraham, urging that Hagar and Ishmael be sent away from the encampment.

The patriarch was thrown into great distress. How could he banish Ishmael his firstborn son, still dearly beloved? In his perplexity he pleaded for divine guidance. The LORD directed him to grant Sarah's desire; his love for Ishmael or Hagar ought not to stand in the way, for only thus could he restore harmony and happiness to his family.  And He gave him the consoling promise that though separated from his father's home, Ishmael should not be forsaken by God; his life should be preserved, and he should become the father of a great nation.  Abraham obeyed the word, but it was not without keen suffering. The father's heart was heavy with unspoken grief as he sent away Hagar and his son.

The instruction given to Abraham touching the sacredness of marriage is a lesson for all ages. It declares that the rights and happiness of this relationship are to be carefully guarded, even at a great sacrifice.

Sarah was the only true wife of Abraham. Her rights as a wife and mother no other person was entitled to share. She reverenced her husband, and in this she is presented in the New Testament as a worthy example. (1 Peter 3:6).  But she was unwilling that Abraham's affections should be given to another, and the Lord did not reprove her for requiring the banishment of her rival.

Both Abraham and Sarah distrusted the power of God, and it was this error that led to the polygamous marriage with the younger Hagar.

Now it had to be put right by both of them.

***************(Begin quote)

Genesis 21:

14 And she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba [for a long time]. 15 And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs [she had been supporting him in his exhaustion and despair]. 16 And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot [50 metres?]: for she said, “Let me not see the death of the child.” And she sat over against him, and lifted up her voice [in prayer], and wept. 

17 And God heard the voice of the lad [for he also prayed]; and the Angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said to her, “What ails you, Hagar? Fear not; for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is. 18 Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in your hand; for I will make him a great nation [He became the father of the Arabs].”

19 And [the Son of] God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink. 

20 And God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer. 21 And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran [“abounding in caverns”]: and his mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt [a non-Christian person like herself].

***************(End quote)

And so we have the start of a nation in opposition to God’s people.  Their shameful beginning and the treatment received from Abraham has made Arabs (and later Muslims) very much the enemy of God’s Jewish people.

God prophesied of Ishmael and his descendants:

***************(Begin quote)

Genesis 16:

12   And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and [yet] he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren [to the end of time].  

***************(End quote)

This is not because God wants it so, but is based on His understanding of Ishmael’s character.   So that’s why we have conflict in the Middle East, and why there will never be any lasting peace there.

Till next week,

Ron

Some of the comments in these readings are adapted from books in my library.  No recognition is given because they are not intended as authorities, but are used because they express my understanding clearly. All the ideas expressed in these readings, right or wrong, are my own.

 ?????