“The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son.” (Genesis 21:11, NIV)
After Isaac's birth there appeared a conflict between him and Ishmael. Ishmael was Abraham's son who he fathered through Sarah's servant, Hagar in Genesis 16. The story records that “But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking,” (Genesis 21:9, NIV). Now that must have seemed innocuous to say the least. Laughing?
"The Hebrew verb translated laughing is ambiguous and may be interpreted as denoting either “mocking” or “playing.” The verbal form used here possibly favors “mocking.” Galatians 4:29 follows this interpretation. Ishmael was probably making fun of Isaac’s role as Abraham’s promised son." [1]
The solution to the problem, in Sarah's mind is to exile Hagar and Ishmael. It might seem that Sarah wanted to protect Isaac as the promised heir, but it is likely that it just boiled down to rivalry and conflict. Genesis 16:5–6 shows that Sarah and Hagar did not have a good relationship prior to the birth of Isaac. This solution did not immediately sit well with Abraham. “The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son.” (Genesis 21:11, NIV).
Abraham consented and sent Hagar and Ishmael away. Their dismissal led them into arduous conditions but in the midst of their distress God assured Hagar "that Ishmael would survive and God will make him a great nation. God watched over him (Lk 2:52), and they lived in the northeast part of the Sinai peninsula." [2]
This was obviously a difficult decision for Abraham for it is obvious that he loved Ishmael. But we read in Genesis 21:12–13 (NIV),
12 But God said to him, “Do not be so distressed about the boy and your slave woman. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned. 13 I will make the son of the slave into a nation also, because he is your offspring.”
Then we read in the narrative, "Early the next morning Abraham took some food and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar." [3] This is "an expression that implies a habit of facing a hard task resolutely as in 22:3." [4]
"Abraham’s obedience to the divine command in this matter was speedy—early in the morning, we may suppose immediately after he had, in the night’s visions, received orders to do this. It was also submissive; it was contrary to his judgment, at least to his own inclination, to do it; yet as soon as he perceives that it is the mind of God he makes no objections, but silently does as he is bidden, as one trained up to an implicit obedience." [5]
Father, You are in Heaven, may Your Name be treated as holy in my life. I pray for your promised Kingdom. I pray that in all things Your will to be done. I pray that Your will, will be done as in Heaven, with heartfelt, speedy, joy-filled obedience. Forgive me for the sins of omission. Forgive me for delayed obedience which is tantamount to disobedience. Today as I face the unknown circumstances of this day, grant me the grace to obey -- right away, with joy; with excellence; and to Your glory. Amen.
____________________________________________
1. Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (86). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
2. KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (59). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
3. The New International Version. 2011 (Ge 21:14). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan
4. KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (59). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
5. Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: Complete and unabridged in one volume (51). Peabody: Hendrickson.
No comments:
Post a Comment