Ishmael

Gen 25: 12-18: “Now these are the generations of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s handmaid, bare unto Abraham: And these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth; and Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam, And Mishma, and Dumah, and Massa, Hadar, and Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah: These are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names, by their towns, and by their castles; twelve princes according to their nations. And these are the years of the life of Ishmael, an hundred and thirty and seven years: and he gave up the ghost and died; and was gathered unto his people. And they dwelt from Havilah unto Shur, that is before Egypt, as thou goest toward Assyria: and he died in the presence of all his brethren.”

This is the end of the next document in Genesis. It starts with “these are the generation of Ishmael” but in verse 19 we read “these are the generation of Isaac”. Ishmael was given an honorary place in this list of authors because Abraham prayed “O that Ishmael might live before thee!” (Gen 17: 18) God honoured Abraham’s prayer and Ishmael was given a place of honour in the documentation of the records of creation until the time that Israel was delivered from bondage in Egypt. Ishmael, however, has played an important part in history from that time to this, also in answer to Abraham’s request. God’s word is always faithful and He controls all things. He knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46: 10 “Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:”) In all history God is the only One Who can promise with complete confidence and we can rely on the veracity of that promise. This includes the promise of everlasting life (John 3: 16). The Lord Jesus Christ was the only Person Who could actually satisfy the two essential elements of that verse: He alone could make the whosoever believeth possible and He alone could make the everlasting life possible.

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(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)