Ishmael, the firstborn son of Abraham, holds a significant place in biblical history. His account is intertwined with themes of promise, covenant, and divine intervention. Ishmael was born to Hagar, an Egyptian maidservant of Sarah, Abraham's wife, as a result of Sarah's initial barrenness and her desire to fulfill God's promise of offspring to Abraham through alternative means (Genesis 16:1-4).

The narrative of Ishmael is marked by Abraham's deep paternal affection and concern for his son. This is poignantly illustrated in the account of Abraham's prayer for Ishmael. In Genesis 17, God reaffirms His covenant with Abraham, promising him a son through Sarah, to be named Isaac. Despite this promise, Abraham's heart remains with Ishmael, and he expresses his desire for Ishmael's well-being before God.

Genesis 17:18 records Abraham's heartfelt plea: "And Abraham said to God, 'O that Ishmael might live under Your blessing!'" This prayer reflects Abraham's hope that Ishmael would also partake in God's blessings, despite the specific covenantal promise being directed towards Isaac.

God's response to Abraham's prayer is both reassuring and prophetic. In Genesis 17:20 , God acknowledges Abraham's request: "As for Ishmael, I have heard you; I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will multiply him greatly. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation." This divine assurance highlights God's attentiveness to Abraham's concerns and His willingness to extend blessings to Ishmael, albeit distinct from the covenant established with Isaac.

The fulfillment of God's promise to Ishmael is further detailed in Genesis 25:12-18, where the genealogy of Ishmael is recorded, listing the twelve princes born to him, thus establishing him as a progenitor of a great nation. This lineage underscores the faithfulness of God in honoring His word to Abraham regarding Ishmael.

Ishmael's account, particularly the prayer of Abraham for his son, serves as a testament to the complexity of God's plans and the inclusivity of His blessings. While the covenantal line would continue through Isaac, Ishmael's role in biblical history is acknowledged and blessed by God, demonstrating His sovereign grace and the fulfillment of His promises beyond human expectations.Genesis 17:18,20
And Abraham said to God, O that Ishmael might live before you!
Nave's Topical Index

Abraham, the Man of Prayer
... a son in his old age, and the wonderful engagements which God made concerning his
promised son. Even Ishmael's destiny is shaped by Abraham's prayer when he ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bounds/prayer and praying men/iii abraham the man of.htm

Abraham's Offering up his Son Isaac
... If it must be a son, and not a beast, that must be offered, why will not Ishmael
do, the ... Abraham knew not directly where he was to offer up his son; but he ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/abrahams offering up his son.htm

Abraham
... So say the old traditions of the Arabs, who are descended from Abraham through Ishmael,
and so it is most likely to have ... For he is a son of Abraham; and of ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon v abraham.htm

A Petulant Wish
... comes the divine message, 'This is not the son of the ... in that, because it means that
my Ishmael is to ... Abraham's passionate cry was so much empty wind, and was ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/a petulant wish.htm

Abraham's Four Surrenders
... Ishmael was born, but God set aside the son of the ... When God gave His Son, He gave
all, and yet He gave ... I can imagine that Abraham talks to Isaac and tells him ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/men of the bible/i abrahams four surrenders.htm

Consecration to God --Illustrated by Abraham's Circumcision
... Immediately after God's appearing to Abraham, his consecration was manifest, first,
in his ... are saved too; and if you have a son, an Ishmael, concerning whom ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 14 1868/consecration to godillustrated by abrahams.htm

Concerning Mania, the Phylarch of the Saracens. When the Treaty ...
... had its name from Ishmael, the son of Abraham ... Moses, who lived many centuries after
Abraham, only legislated ... laws imposed upon them by their forefather Ishmael. ...
/.../chapter xxxviii concerning mania the phylarch.htm

Compassion for Souls
... would be no cruelty to Hagar or Ishmael to be ... her boy in his insolence to Sarah's
son, and therefore ... of the promise given to him in answer to Abraham's prayer. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/compassion for souls.htm

Order and Argument in Prayer
... the channel through which he will give me mercy"he will give it to me through his
dear Son. ... I like that prayer of Abraham's, "Oh that Ishmael might live ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 12 1866/order and argument in prayer.htm

Here Beginneth the Life of Isaac
... Our Lord heard his prayer, and she had twain sons at once ... a wife beside them that
he had taken tofore, that was Melech, daughter of Ishmael, son of Abraham. ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here beginneth the life of.htm

How many sons did Abraham have? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Hagar in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the Ishmaelites? | GotQuestions.org

Ishmael: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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