GENESIS 21
8 And the child grew and was weaned. And Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. 9 But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, laughing.10 So she said to Abraham, “Cast out this slave woman with her son, for the son of this slave woman shall not be heir with my son Isaac.” 11 And the thing was very displeasing to Abraham on account of his son. 12 But God said to Abraham, “Be not displeased because of the boy and because of your slave woman. Whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for through Isaac shall your offspring be named. 13 And I will make a nation of the son of the slave woman also, because he is your offspring.” 14 So Abraham rose early in the morning and took bread and a skin of water and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away. And she departed and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba. – Genesis 21:8-14
GENESIS 21 ABRAHAM SENT HAGAR & ISHMAEL AWAY
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
Abraham celebrated Isaac’s coming and had a great feast when he was weaned
At this time Sarah asked Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away
Sarah didn’t want to share the heirship of Isaac with Ishmael
Though Abraham was displeased, God told him to follow Sarah’s wish.
When morning came, Abraham got up and took bread and water
He placed it on Hagar’s shoulder along with the child and sent her away
Abraham trusted and obeyed God though it was painful for him
Hagar and Ishmael left and wandered in Beersheba’s wilderness.
We see another manifestation of Abraham’s faithfulness and obedience to the Lord. It must have been difficult for him to let go of his oldest son Ishmael, but it was more important for him to please the Lord and obey him. It must have been God’s plan to have Sarah sent them so that God’s covenantal promise will be fulfilled in Isaac and not shared with Ishmael. God honored Sarah’s decision to let Hagar and Ishmael go. He wouldn’t have allowed it if it wasn’t in his plan.
REFLECTION
- Why did God allow Hagar and Ishmael to be sent out in the wilderness?
