Genesis 20:1-21:21
Dear RTB’ers,
Two stories today, Abram-Abimelech and Isaac-Ishmael. The Abimelech incident is similar to the one we encountered a few days ago when Abram took a little trip down to Egypt (Genesis 12:10-20). In both cases Abraham told Sarah to say that she was his sister, not his wife. I certainly don’t understand that strategy. Did Abraham just assume that these “savage” people would automatically kill him and take his wife as one of their own? A strange expectation! But as I’ve said so many times, that was then, this is now! And what was “normal” back then…, go figure!!
The story of Isaac and Ishmael is more familiar. In this case it seems that Ishmael brought on his own demise by mocking Isaac at Isaac’s weaning celebration (Gen 21:9). Sarah (as any mother might) took offense and demanded that Abraham drive Ishmael and Hagar away. We can see that Abraham loved Ishmael, his son, The matter distressed Abraham greatly… (Gen 21:21a). After all, Ishmael was in his mid-teens; he and Abraham had had all these years together, so it’s certainly troubling to Abraham to send his son away. Although God saw to Hagar and Ishmael’s welfare, we don’t know if Abraham would ever know how Ishmael turned out. Turns out, this incident is super important to the apostle, Paul, as he distinguishes between those born of the flesh and those born of the Spirit. I encourage you to read Galatians 4:21-31 as you reflect further on today’s reading. We see again how the Old Testament is tied to Jesus and the New Testament. It’s all one big, interconnected story!
Blessings!