Earlier, Sarah and Abraham had lacked trust in God’s plan. Since Sarah had not become pregnant, she had her maid act as a surrogate for her. Ishmael was born as a result of that decision. Now, they were experiencing the consequences.
Genesis 21: 9 But Sarah saw Ishmael—the son of Abraham and her Egyptian servant Hagar—making fun of her son, Isaac. 10 So she turned to Abraham and demanded, “Get rid of that slave woman and her son. He is not going to share the inheritance with my son, Isaac. I won’t have it!”
11 This upset Abraham very much because Ishmael was his son. 12 But God told Abraham, “Do not be upset over the boy and your servant. Do whatever Sarah tells you, for Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted. 13 But I will also make a nation of the descendants of Hagar’s son because he is your son, too.”
14 So Abraham got up early the next morning, prepared food and a container of water, and strapped them on Hagar’s shoulders. Then he sent her away with their son. [1]
Interfering With God’s Plan
Ishmael, who is probably seventeen at this time, is making fun of Isaac. The Hebrew word translated as “making fun” is never used to describe harmless play and indicates repetitive action.[2] Sarah recognized the threat Ishmael and Hagar were becoming to Isaac, the son of the covenant.
Paul commented on this in the New Testament. Galatians 4: 29 But you are now being persecuted by those who want you to keep the law, just as Ishmael, the child born by human effort, persecuted Isaac, the child born by the power of the Spirit. 30 But what do the Scriptures say about that? “Get rid of the slave and her son, for the son of the slave woman will not share the inheritance with the free woman’s son.[3]
Divine Intervention
Understandably, as a father to Ishmael, Abraham’s emotional connection blinded him to the truth Sarah saw. It took God’s intervention to tell Abraham to follow Sarah’s directions. What made it even more difficult was that Sarah’s request was also against the customs of his day. To his credit, Abraham obeyed but did so with tenderness.
As with Abraham, there are times when we struggle to trust God. Sometimes, life doesn’t make sense, and we think we must “help” God. Often, we find out it didn’t work the way we expected, and we have more problems. Thankfully, we have a faithful God who loves us and will forgive us because of what Jesus has done for us. These negative experiences can become learning opportunities for us.
Isaiah 41:9b For I have chosen you and will not throw you away. 10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. [4] Trust in God’s plan. To find out more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/gods-faithfulness-in-our-lives
[1,3,4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.
[2] Smith, J. E. (1993). The Pentateuch (2nd ed., p. 157). College Press Pub. Co.