Topical Bible: Children: Alienated, Ishmael, to Gratify Sarah

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Background and Context:

The account of Ishmael, the son of Abraham and Hagar, is a significant narrative in the Bible, illustrating themes of promise, faith, and the complexities of human relationships. Ishmael's alienation is a pivotal moment that reflects the fulfillment of God's promises and the unfolding of His divine plan.

Biblical Account:

Ishmael was the firstborn son of Abraham, born to Hagar, Sarah's Egyptian maidservant. This event occurred because Sarah, Abraham's wife, was barren and sought to fulfill God's promise of offspring through her maidservant. The account is found in Genesis 16:1-4 : "Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children, but she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar. So Sarai said to Abram, 'Please now, the LORD has prevented me from having children. Go, sleep with my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family by her.' And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. So after he had lived in Canaan for ten years, his wife Sarai took her Egyptian maidservant Hagar and gave her to Abram to be his wife. And he slept with Hagar, and she conceived."

Alienation of Ishmael:

The alienation of Ishmael is a direct result of the tension between Sarah and Hagar. After the birth of Isaac, the son promised by God to Abraham and Sarah, Sarah's attitude towards Hagar and Ishmael changed. Genesis 21:9-10 describes the turning point: "But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking her son, and she said to Abraham, 'Drive out this slave woman and her son, for the son of this slave woman will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac!'"

Abraham was distressed by this demand because Ishmael was his son. However, God reassured Abraham in Genesis 21:12-13 : "But God said to Abraham, 'Do not be distressed over the boy and your maidservant. Listen to everything that 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.'"

Divine Provision and Promise:

Despite the alienation, God did not abandon Ishmael. After Hagar and Ishmael were sent away, God provided for them in the wilderness. Genesis 21:17-18 recounts God's intervention: "And God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, 'What is wrong, 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.'"

Significance:

The account of Ishmael's alienation serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and His ability to work through human imperfections to fulfill His promises. Ishmael's life, though marked by separation from his father's household, was not devoid of purpose. God's promise to make Ishmael into a great nation was fulfilled, as he became the ancestor of many peoples.

This narrative also highlights the importance of faith and obedience to God's will, as demonstrated by Abraham's trust in God's promises despite personal heartache. The account of Ishmael and Isaac underscores the theme of God's sovereign choice and the unfolding of His redemptive plan through the lineage of Isaac, leading ultimately to the coming of the Messiah.

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Genesis 21:9-15
And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born to Abraham, mocking.
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... And Ishmael dishonouring his father in mocking Isaac was ... Pharaoh, who drowned the
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