The Birth of Ishmael and the Hagarenes

Here is a vital part of the history, prophecy, and principles of the scriptures. It deals with the birth of Ishmael and the Hagarenes, subsequently. Let’s look at the story: Sarai was Abram’s wife, but she did not have any children. She possessed an Egyptian handmaid named Hagar.

Sarai told Abram, “The Lord has not allowed me to have children, so sleep with my slave. Maybe she can have a son, and I will accept him as my own.” Abram did what Sarai said.

So after living ten years in the land of Canaan, Sarai gave her Egyptian slave to Abram as a second wife. Abram laid with Hagar and she became pregnant. When Hagar realized this, she became very proud and began to feel that she was better than Sarai her owner.

Sarai Did Not Like the Results

Then Sarai said to Abram, “My handmaid now hates me, and I blame you for this. I gave her to you, and she became pregnant. Then she began to feel that she is better than I am. I want the Lord to judge which of us is right.” But Abram said to Sarai, “She is your slave. You can do anything you want to her.” So Sarai was cruel to Hagar, and Hagar ran away.

The angel of the Lord found Hagar near a spring of water in the desert. The angel said, “Hagar, Sarai’s handmaid, why are you here? Where are you going?” Hagar replied, “I am running away from Sarai.”

Then the angel of the Lord said, “Hagar, you are now pregnant, and you will have a son. Name him Ishmael because the LORD ALMIGHTY has heard you were treated sorely. Ishmael will be wild and free like a wild donkey.

At Odds Against Others

He will be against everyone, and everyone will be against him. He will move from place to place and camp near his brothers.” So Hagar returned and gave birth to Abram’s son, and Abram named the son Ishmael. Abram was 86 years old when Ishmael was born from Hagar.

History: Abraham, the father of the faithful had an affair with his wife’s maidservant, named Hagar. Not an adulterous affair, but by permission of his wife who aimed to give her husband a child. The Arab nations today come from this union between Abraham and Hagar’s son Ishmael.

Principle: Patience, we must be patient and consult the ALMIGHTY in all things. King David asked the LORD what he should do in all things that are recorded in his historical chronicles. However, concerning Bathsheeba, Uriah the Hittite’s wife, he did not consult the LORD.

Also, concerning building a Temple to the LORD, he went on without directly consulting the LORD. Abram did not consult the ALMIGHTY but listened to his wife in the matter. And while the LORD turned what could have been a disaster into offspring for Abram, it still had its downfalls and troubles.

Prophecy: Ishmael will become a wild man with his hand against every man and every man’s hand against him. People who know what the angel of the LORD said regarding Ishmael are not surprised by his cultural behavior today (the good and the bad).

This event, Hagar and Abram’s affair at the permission of Sarai, presents a conflict as it pertains to the previous post in the HPP series. The conflict will be does the covenant go to Ishmael. Stay tuned!

Selah

Thank you for joining us today. It’s always a pleasure to have you as we talk about the LORD the King, His Kingdom on the Earth, and His Royal Family.