#33 - Looking Back

Genesis 25:8-16

Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of years; and he was gathered to his people. His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah near Mamre, in the field of Ephron son of Zohar the Hittite, the field Abraham had bought from the Hittites. There Abraham was buried with his wife Sarah. After Abraham’s death, God blessed his son Isaac, who then lived near Beer Lahai Roi.

This is the account of the family line of Abraham’s son Ishmael, whom Sarah’s slave, Hagar the Egyptian, bore to Abraham.

These are the names of the sons of Ishmael, listed in the order of their birth: Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish and Kedemah. These were the sons of Ishmael, and these are the names of the twelve tribal rulers according to their settlements and camps.

Comments

Because Sarah had wanted Isaac to inherit all of Abraham’s wealth, she had insisted Abraham send Ishmael and his mother into the desert where they soon came to the point of death.

God heard the cries of Ishmael and Hagar. He rescued them by showing them a source of water and promising them a future.

God’s promise to Ishmael was clearly fulfilled. Not only did he survive in the desert; he became the father of twelve sons who in turn each became leaders of their own tribes. This was also a fulfilled promise for Abraham whom God had told would be the father of nations.

Reflections

Ishmael owed both his birth and his banishment to Sarah. This is another story of God bringing good out of people’s bad choices. Have you experienced anything like that in your life?

Prayer

Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who fulfills your promises in ways we eventually understand.