Genesis 21:8–14 (ESV)
God Protects Hagar and Ishmael
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.
I go back to what I had said a few days ago, when Sarah told Abraham that he should
sleep with her servant… he should have known better! Jealousy has hit! Sarah tells Abraham to give Hagar and Ishmael their walking papers. Abraham is hurt because Ishmael is Abraham’s son. God basically says to not worry
about it… “I will make a nation of the son of the slave woman also because he is your offspring.” Ishmael goes on to be the father of the Arabian tribes. Ishmael goes on to be known as the Father of Islam.
I pray: O heavenly Father, help me to listen to you and to trust your ways, even if they don’t make sense to me. Help me to walk according to your ways.
Forgive me when I fail. Amen.