Ishmael a Covenant Son
by Hubert F. Sturges, www.144000.cc, January 10, 2010
Topics:
Hagar
Rebellion
Isaac
Abraham Dies
The Arab Peoples
Hagar
The story of Ishmael is told in Genesis16; 17:25,26; 21:9-21; 25:9. A problem arose in that Sarah was barren, even after being in Canaan for ten years. Abraham had been promised by God that he would have descendants without number, but after ten years without a son, he could not see how it could be done.
Sarah had a handmaid, an Egyptian, named Hagar. According to the custom she offered her handmaid to Abraham to produce a son. This was a common custom and there were laws to govern such a transaction. The " surrogate mother" would be taken care of during this time, and she might even be rewarded for her cooperation.
However, her status as a handmaid was not to be changed. She actually had no rights as a wife, and her status was even less than that of a concubine. When the child was born, she was expected to give up all rights to the child, who would then become the child of her mistress and master.
For some reason this was not the way it worked out with Hagar. First of all, Sarah gave her to Abraham as a wife. Once she became pregnant, she despised her mistress -- implying that she now aspired to replace her as Abraham’s wife. This was clearly illegal, as was her continuing to consider Ishmael as "her" son, and not the son of Abraham and Sarah.
One might see in this a characteristic in Hagar to be demanding and manipulative to insist on what might not be the usual arrangement. On the other hand, Hagar may have had hopes to be married at some time, and giving up her virginity would definitely limit her chances and choices in marriage.
Rebellion
Abraham never varied from his course. He was always faithful to Sarah, and when trouble arose between Sarah and Hagar, Abraham supported Sarah at every turn. In response to rebuke from Sarah, Hagar fled. She was met by an angel, and told to return to Sarah and submit to her.
Yet the Lord recognized that Ishmael was also a son of Abraham, and covenant promises were made to him too.
"And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.
"And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael (God will hear); because, the LORD hath heard thy affliction.
"And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren" (Genesis 16:10-12, KJV).
"And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: 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" (Genesis 17:20, KJV).
We next hear about Ishmael in Genesis 17:23-26 where all the males in Abraham’s camp were circumcised, including Ishmael. As the token of the covenant, this was another reassurance as to Ishmael’s covenant position.
Isaac
About this time Isaac was born, according to the promise of God. This precipitated a crisis for Hagar and Ishmael. It was clear that Isaac was the preferred son, even though he was younger than Ishmael. When Isaac was weaned, at about four years, a great feast was made. These festivities for Isaac were too much, and Ishmael mocked (Genesis 21:9). This was too much for Sarah, and she demanded that Hagar and Ishmael be cast out. God intervened and told Abraham that Sarah was right, they must be separated, and in Isaac would the covenant be fulfilled.
Yet, to Ishmael were the promises given again;
"And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed.
"Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation" (Genesis 21:13, 18, KJV).
Abraham Dies
Isaac seems to have been at peace with Ishmael. When Abraham died, both Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah. Of Ishmael it was said:
"Now these are the generations of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's handmaid, bare unto Abraham:
"And these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth; and Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam,
"And Mishma, and Dumah, and Massa,
"Hadar, and Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah:
"These are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names, by their towns, and by their castles; twelve princes according to their nations" (Genesis 25:12-16, KJV).
The Arab Peoples
Ishmael being the firstborn of Abraham, and having twelve sons of his own, is no doubt the dominant tribe of the Arabian peninsula. But there were others. The Moabites and the Ammonites were relatively small tribes. The sons of Esau came later, but were more numerous. The Philistines are not known to have integrated with the tribes of the Arabian peninsula.
After Sarah died he took Keturah as a wife (Genesis 25:1-6). Verse six also mentions "concubines" and sons of those concubines. The Bible lists six sons of Keturah including Midian. Ten grandchildren are named also, five of them being sons of Midian. When Joseph was sold to a caravan going into Egypt, the Ishmaelites and the Midianites were named interchangeably.
All these sons were given gifts and sent into the east country. As sons of Abraham, they would have a knowledge of God. Possibly from these came Balaam the prophet, and the Magi who came to see Jesus at His birth. From these origins the Arab peoples came. No doubt other nations made up part of the population. But of these tribes coming from Abraham, there remained a knowledge of the true God.