Isaac and Ishmael: Two brothers

News From Jerusalem

by Tom Brennan,

The story of Abraham, Sarah and the people who would be as numerous as the stars is amazing for its conflicts with what we consider the “normal”. Abraham was not a Canaanite; he was from northern Iraq, Ur. He was born a pagan, a worshipper of idols. Abraham was descended from Shem one of Noah’s three sons. From the time after Noah the world slipped back into idolatry and G-d called Noah apart to make a new covenant to go with that which He had made with Noah. Abraham was to take his wife, herds and flocks and leave Ur and go to a place which he would be shown. Abraham and Sarah had reached advanced ages, their nineties, and Sarah had no son. Abraham was obliged to pass on leadership of the clan to his servant. Sarah feared for Abraham’s clan and legacy and urged that he take a concubine, her Egyptian servant Hagar. In the Middle East this was an acceptable way for a patriarch to guarantee an heir who would bear the birthright. The birthright was the mantle of clan leadership, usually the firstborn. The birthright granted the duty to offer sacrifice, lead the clan, stewardship of the property, flocks and office of leadership. Abraham’s only other choice was for that to pass out of his line, his family name would end.

Sarah had been told she would bear a son, but she found it hard to believe. Hagar was young and could bear the surrogate. Abraham gave in to her urgings and took Hagar as concubine. A son was born, his name was Ishmael. Hagar nursed and raised him. Eventually Hagar began to feel superior to Sarah, the legitimate wife. A rivalry ensued. Then a miracle occurred, Isaac. The promised son, the legitimate heir to the birthright was born. The rivalry continued. Sarah demanded that Abraham cast Hagar and Ishmael out where they would pose no danger to her first and only born son. Once again, Abraham conceded to his wife’s demands and ordered mother and son out. But Abraham knew the Almighty was not merciless and would provide. Hagar and Ishmael were protected in the wilderness by an angel and Ishmael went on to father a nation as well. Today we recognize Isaac as the heir upon we now see Israel. Ishmael is seen as the founder of the Arab peoples. Ishmael was never condemned, he was an antagonist to be sure, but still from the same father.

The civil war in the Middle East, the forces of ISIS and Iran are Ishmael divided against itself. The abandonment of the United States and Europe of Israel and the Arab States in favor of Iran has cast Israel back into a testy relationship with Saudi Arabia and other former sworn enemies. Are we seeing a reuniting of Abraham’s family? The birthright of Isaac/Israel and the firstborn status of Ishmael coming together to guard against a common enemy that plans their destruction? ISIS and Iran are now gathering from the north and south. The nations of the world, America and Europe are turning against Israel. Are Abraham’s sons settling their differences before Armageddon (near Golan)? More miraculous things have happened before. How many ninety year old couples have babies? Wait and see and wonder and have faith. Stand with Israel while The Almighty confounds the plans of men and nations.

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