Scripture for this week: Genesis 16:1-16; 21:1-21
My Comments: As Ishmael grew up he and Hagar continued to harass Sarah and Isaac. Sarah was fearful of the future for Isaac as Abraham’s heir. She caused Abraham great sadness when he had to send Hagar and Ishmael out into the desert where they would die. I was relieved to read about God’s protection of Hagar and Ishmael from Sarah’s hatred. Hagar found freedom and chose a wife for Ishmael from Egypt, which was her homeland.
The details of the resentful struggle between Sarah and Hagar are not told. In my imagination I think of Ishmael spending his time as a young impressionable child amid hatred, jealousy, fear and pride. He probably witnessed his mother being constantly mistreated and his mother reacting with contempt.
I found God’s words regarding Ishmael before he was born very interesting: “He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone’s hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.” Was his hostility passed down to him from Hagar and Sarah’s behavior? Later in Genesis, I see that Ishmael handed his hostility down to his sons (Genesis 25:18).
The story of Sarah and Hagar was a sad one for me. Their family became separated because of their hatred for one another. A father, Abraham, was put in the position of choosing between his two sons. Many people, today, have experienced the pain of bickering, blaming and separations within families. Sides are taken and all communication shuts down.
On the other hand I think the story of Sarah and Hagar can bring hope. We can see that God did not condemn one side of a family quarrel and bless the other. Sarah’s Isaac received God’s blessings. Hagar’s Ishmael received God’s blessings as well. In spite of how he came into the world God allowed Ishmael’s descendants to become a nation. What a gracious God!
Scripture for Today: May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us. Psalm 67:1
My Comments: As Ishmael grew up he and Hagar continued to harass Sarah and Isaac. Sarah was fearful of the future for Isaac as Abraham’s heir. She caused Abraham great sadness when he had to send Hagar and Ishmael out into the desert where they would die. I was relieved to read about God’s protection of Hagar and Ishmael from Sarah’s hatred. Hagar found freedom and chose a wife for Ishmael from Egypt, which was her homeland.
The details of the resentful struggle between Sarah and Hagar are not told. In my imagination I think of Ishmael spending his time as a young impressionable child amid hatred, jealousy, fear and pride. He probably witnessed his mother being constantly mistreated and his mother reacting with contempt.
I found God’s words regarding Ishmael before he was born very interesting: “He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone’s hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.” Was his hostility passed down to him from Hagar and Sarah’s behavior? Later in Genesis, I see that Ishmael handed his hostility down to his sons (Genesis 25:18).
The story of Sarah and Hagar was a sad one for me. Their family became separated because of their hatred for one another. A father, Abraham, was put in the position of choosing between his two sons. Many people, today, have experienced the pain of bickering, blaming and separations within families. Sides are taken and all communication shuts down.
On the other hand I think the story of Sarah and Hagar can bring hope. We can see that God did not condemn one side of a family quarrel and bless the other. Sarah’s Isaac received God’s blessings. Hagar’s Ishmael received God’s blessings as well. In spite of how he came into the world God allowed Ishmael’s descendants to become a nation. What a gracious God!
Scripture for Today: May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us. Psalm 67:1
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