Topical Bible: Abraham: Sends Hagar and Ishmael Away

◄ Abraham: Sends Hagar and Ishmael Away ►

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Biblical Context:
The narrative of Abraham sending Hagar and Ishmael away is found in the Book of Genesis, specifically in Genesis 21:8-21. This event occurs after the birth of Isaac, the son of Abraham and Sarah, and is a pivotal moment in the patriarchal history of Israel.

Background:
Abraham, originally named Abram, is a central figure in the Hebrew Bible, revered as the founding patriarch of the Israelites, Ishmaelites, Edomites, and Midianites. God made a covenant with Abraham, promising him numerous descendants and the land of Canaan. Despite Sarah's initial barrenness, God promised Abraham a son through her, which was fulfilled with the birth of Isaac.

The Conflict:
The tension between Sarah and Hagar, Sarah's Egyptian maidservant, began when Sarah, in her impatience for God's promise, gave Hagar to Abraham as a concubine to bear a child. Hagar bore Ishmael, Abraham's first son. However, after Isaac's birth, the relationship between Sarah and Hagar became strained. Sarah observed Ishmael mocking Isaac during a feast held to celebrate Isaac's weaning.

The Decision:
Sarah demanded that Abraham send Hagar and Ishmael away, stating, "Cast out this slave woman and her son, for the son of this slave woman shall not be heir with my son Isaac" (Genesis 21:10). This request distressed Abraham, as Ishmael was also his son. However, God reassured Abraham, saying, "Do not be distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to everything Sarah tells you, for through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned. But I will also make a nation of the slave woman’s son, because he is your offspring" (Genesis 21:12-13).

The Departure:
Obeying God's directive, Abraham rose early in the morning, provided Hagar with bread and a skin of water, and sent her and Ishmael away. They wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba. When the water was gone, Hagar placed Ishmael under a bush and sat at a distance, not wanting to witness his death. In her distress, she wept.

Divine Intervention:
God heard the boy's cries, and an angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, saying, "What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he lies. Get up, lift up the boy, and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation" (Genesis 21:17-18). God then opened Hagar's eyes, and she saw a well of water. She filled the skin with water and gave Ishmael a drink.

Aftermath:
God was with Ishmael as he grew up. He lived in the wilderness and became an archer. Hagar found a wife for him from Egypt. Ishmael's descendants would become a great nation, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham.

Significance:
This episode highlights themes of faith, obedience, and God's providence. It underscores the complexity of human relationships and divine promises. The sending away of Hagar and Ishmael illustrates the unfolding of God's plan for both Isaac and Ishmael, each becoming progenitors of great nations.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 21:10-14
Why she said to Abraham, Cast out this female slave and her son: for the son of this female slave shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac.
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Galatians 4:22-30
For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a female slave, the other by a free woman.
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Library

Free Grace
... the carnal expedient of taking to himself Hagar, to wife ... but took upon Him the seed
of Abraham, and chose ... her compassion, that the next day she sends a messenger ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/free grace.htm

The Journey of the Three Holy Kings to Bethlehem
... At the side of Abraham's mountain, more towards the lower ... I think that I saw Hagar
in the desert twice ... Anna often sends messengers with presents who take news ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xiii the journey of the.htm

Adoption --The Spirit and the Cry
... even so it is now." The child of Hagar was found ... and are as safe as Isaac was in
Abraham's house ... of Christ, though that were quite true, for God sends this unto ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 24 1878/adoptionthe spirit and the cry.htm

The Flight into Egypt and St. John the Baptist in the Desert
... JOHN SENDS THE THIRSTING JESUS A SPRING OF WATER ... Abraham went to Egypt by God's command,
firstly because of a ... Hagar, the mother of Ishmael, was a descendant of ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xvi the flight into egypt.htm

Letter Xciii. (AD 408. )
... Vincentius, My Brother Dearly Beloved, Augustin Sends Greeting. ... know, these two women,
Sarah and Hagar, and their ... the blessing in the seed of Abraham,"why, I ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter xciii a d 408.htm

Book v. Our Reply, in the Previous Books, to the Mad and ...
... The Angel of God speaks to Hagar; and this same Angel is ... Next He appears as the God
of Abraham, and the God of ... Finally it is the God that is Who sends Moses to ...
/.../hilary/the life and writings of st hilary of poitiers/book v our reply in.htm

The Barren Fig-Tree;
... that matter, trust his faithful servant Abraham; but still, as Abraham interceded,
God ... signifieth his pleasure: he will have it removed, taken away, cut down ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the barren fig-tree.htm

The Doctrine
... the two covenants; the one named Hagar signifies Mount ... and his son's son, but only
Abraham's oath (Genesis ... And Ishmael dishonouring his father in mocking Isaac ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the doctrine.htm