Introduction

Ishmael, the firstborn son of Abraham, holds a significant place in biblical history as a pivotal figure in the unfolding narrative of God's promises and covenant with Abraham. His account is primarily found in the Book of Genesis, where he is depicted as both a recipient of divine promises and a key player in the broader narrative of God's plan for humanity.

Birth and Early Life

Ishmael was born to Abraham and Hagar, Sarah's Egyptian maidservant. The circumstances of his birth are rooted in Sarah's barrenness and her decision to give Hagar to Abraham as a wife to bear a child on her behalf. Genesis 16:1-4 recounts this decision: "Now Abram’s wife Sarai had borne him no children, but she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar. So Sarai said to Abram, 'Look now, the LORD has prevented me from having children. Please go to my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family by her.' And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai."

Hagar's conception led to tension between her and Sarah, resulting in Hagar fleeing into the wilderness. It was there that the Angel of the LORD appeared to her, promising that her offspring would be numerous. Genesis 16:10 states, "Then the Angel of the LORD said to her, 'I will greatly multiply your offspring so that they will be too numerous to count.'"

Divine Promises and Covenant

Ishmael's birth was accompanied by divine promises that he would become the father of a great nation. In Genesis 17:20 , God reassures Abraham of Ishmael's future: "And as for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I will bless him and make him fruitful and multiply him exceedingly. He will become the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation."

Despite Ishmael being Abraham's firstborn, God's covenant was established with Isaac, the son of Sarah. However, Ishmael was not forgotten by God, who continued to bless him and his descendants. The promise of a great nation through Ishmael is a testament to God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His word.

Life and Legacy

Ishmael grew up in the household of Abraham until the birth of Isaac, which led to further familial strife. Sarah, concerned about Ishmael's presence and potential inheritance, urged Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away. God instructed Abraham to heed Sarah's request, assuring him of Ishmael's future. Genesis 21:12-13 records God's words: "But God said to Abraham, 'Do not be distressed over 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.'"

Hagar and Ishmael's departure into the wilderness of Beersheba marked a new chapter in Ishmael's life. God provided for them, and Ishmael grew to become an archer. He settled in the Desert of Paran and married an Egyptian woman, as noted in Genesis 21:20-21 : "And God was with the boy, and he grew up and settled in the wilderness and became a great archer. While he was dwelling in the Wilderness of Paran, his mother got a wife for him from the land of Egypt."

Ishmael's legacy is further detailed in Genesis 25:12-18, where his descendants are listed, fulfilling the promise of becoming a great nation. His twelve sons became tribal leaders, establishing the Ishmaelite tribes that played a significant role in the region's history.

Conclusion

Ishmael's account is a complex narrative of divine promise, human frailty, and God's overarching plan. As the son of Abraham, he is a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, even amidst human imperfection and conflict. Ishmael's legacy as the father of a great nation underscores the breadth of God's covenantal blessings and the unfolding of His purposes throughout history.Genesis 16:11,12
And the angel of the LORD said to her, Behold, you are with child and shall bear a son, and shall call his name Ishmael; because the LORD has heard your affliction.
Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 17:20
And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.
Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 21:12,13,18
And God said to Abraham, Let it not be grievous in your sight because of the lad, and because of your female slave; in all that Sarah has said to you, listen to her voice; for in Isaac shall your seed be called.
Nave's Topical Index

Abraham --The Father of the Faithful.
... good wishes, yet the little lad Ishmael, the son of Hagar ... a loaf of bread; for God
had told Abraham to do ... do, and He would take care of little Ishmael, and make ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter iii abrahamthe father of.htm

Of God's Attestation to Abraham, by which He Assures Him, when Now ...
... After these things Ishmael was born of Hagar; and Abraham might ... The laughter of Abraham
is the exultation of one who ... of his in his heart, "Shall a son be born ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 26 of gods attestation to.htm

The Story of Hagar and Ishmael
... And Hagar went away from Abraham's tent, leading her little boy. ... where she lived
and brought up her son in the ... And Ishmael grew up in the desert and learned to ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of hagar and.htm

Of Abraham's Obedience and Faith, which were Proved by the ...
... shall thy seed be called," when God calls Ishmael also his ... promised to him by her:
"Shall a son be born ... is ninety years old, bear?" [947] Then Abraham bought a ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 32 of abrahams obedience and.htm

The Patriarchs.
... the child of promise, Isaac, the son of his ... herds, and fine horses, much as Ishmael
himself must ... Isaac's wife, Rebekah, was fetched from Abraham's former home ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson ii the patriarchs.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

Argument. --Moreover Also, from the Fact that He who was Seen of ...
... should be a numerous seed, and that she should have Ishmael to be ... visits and consoles
the same Hagar when driven with her son from the dwelling of Abraham. ...
/.../chapter xviii argument moreover also from.htm

From Abraham to Egypt.
... (10) Abraham and Ishmael die and ... In 17:16 God promised him a son, Isaac, in whom
his seed ... Just as in Isaac Abraham became the head of a great earthly seed that ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter iv from abraham to.htm

Abraham's Four Surrenders
... the earth through him, and yet He did not give him a son. Abraham's faith almost
staggered a number of times ... Ishmael was born, but God set aside the son of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/men of the bible/i abrahams four surrenders.htm

Chapter xvii
... 24, 25. And Abraham was a man of ninetynine years when he was circumcised in the
flesh of his foreskin; whereas Ishmael, his son, was a lad of ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xvii.htm

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