Read with Me
Genesis 21:8-13 (HCSB)
The child grew and was weaned, and Abraham held a great feast on the day Isaac was weaned. But Sarah saw the son mocking—the one Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham. So she said to Abraham, “Drive out this slave with her son, for the son of this slave will not be a coheir with my son Isaac!”
Now this was a very difficult thing for Abraham because of his son. But God said to Abraham, “Do not be concerned about the boy and your slave. Whatever Sarah says to you, listen to her, because your offspring will be traced through Isaac. But I will also make a nation of the slave’s son because he is your offspring.”
Listen with Me
Everything went well in Abraham’s camp after the arrival of Isaac for the space of nearly three years. At that time, Isaac was weaned, a sign to all that he was healthy and strong, and that he would not suffer the fate of so many children who died before they reached this landmark. As this was something to be celebrated, Abraham held a great feast, inviting not only his household, but also his allies who lived near him.
But at the festival, Sarah noticed Ishmael teasing Isaac. This was nothing beyond how older brothers typically played with their younger siblings, all part of establishing the fraternal pecking order in the family.
But this instantly raised resentment in Sarah’s heart. She still held a grudge against Hagar for how she had tried to supplant her in Abraham’s heart when she had become pregnant with Ishmael eighteen years earlier. At that time, Hagar had run away, and then had returned after just a few days, fresh from an encounter with God. Hagar had humbly served Sarah ever since, but Sarah had never trusted her again.
Now, Sarah saw Ishmael’s teasing of Isaac as him trying to gain a position of authority and power in the family over her own son. That position as first born, future leader of the family, and heir to a double share of Abraham’s possessions was Ishmael’s by legal right. But Sarah would not have it that way. In her eyes, Isaac was the only legitimate son of Abraham.
But Sarah also knew that Abraham’s heart was tied closely to Ishmael. After all, he had been his only son for seventeen years. The only way to ensure that Isaac received and retained his rightful place in the family was to send Ishmael and his mother away.
Of course, this was a horrible thing in Abraham’s eyes. (The Hebrew word shows that he saw it as something evil, morally reprehensible, just plain wrong.) But Sarah’s plan was actually from God. She was right in thinking that if Ishmael stayed, it would result in a power struggle that would affect generations. So, a clean break had to be made, even though it would be one of the hardest things Abraham had ever had to do.
Pray with Me
Father, the right decision can often be the most difficult one to see and then to do. That was why You had to speak into this situation so clearly. Abraham couldn’t understand the need in the moment, but You can see the end from the beginning and could give him clear guidance as well as the assurance that You Yourself would be taking over the care of Ishmael and his mother. Thank you, Lord, for Your wisdom, for Your devotion, and even for Your compassion. Amen.