Sibling rivalry: Isaac vs Ishmael

After Isaac is born he is circumcised. As the Notes say, the birth of the heir is the first step in the fulfilment of God’s promises. When Sarah sees the 17-year-old Ishmael playing with her weaned son she becomes concerned about Ishmael inheriting along with Isaac on Abraham’s death. Sarah tells her husband to cast out Hagar and her son.

In stark contrast to Genesis 16, in which Abraham callously told Sarah that she could do with the pregnant Hagar as she pleased, Abraham now experiences distress at the thought of casting out Hagar and his son. He also provides them with bread and water. God reassures Abraham, telling him that he will make nations of both Isaac and Ishmael, since both are Abraham’s offspring.

Nevertheless, Hagar still ends up “wander[ing] about in the wilderness of Beer-sheba”, in dire straits. She leaves Ishmael, now a small boy again, under a bush, so as not to witness him dying. God hears Ishmael’s crying, and speaks to Hagar, telling her that he will make a great nation of Ishmael. Hagar now sees a well of water, and their plight is over. When he grows up Ishmael becomes a bowman, and takes an Egyptian wife his mother finds for him.

In this chapter Hagar and her child are banished, whereas in Genesis 16 Hagar was banished while pregnant. In both she gets a divine message promising that her son will be a great nation. Ishmael’s name means “God heard” – in both stories God (or his angel) “hears” and acts. At least Abraham behaves compassionately in this version of the story, although he still banishes them.

Back home trouble raises its head when Abraham’s and King Abimelech’s servants clash about a well. Abraham complains to the King about the seizure of the well. A compromise is reached: Abraham gives the King some livestock, and a covenant is made between them. Abraham swears that he will never deal falsely with Abimelech, his offspring and his posterity. Abraham gives Abimelech seven ewe lambs so that the King can be a witness that the well was dug by Abraham. The well is dubbed Beer-sheba, “well of the seven” or “well of the oath”. Afterwards Abimelech returns to the land of the Philistines, where Abraham resides for many years as an alien.

Notes:

• Different sources must be used in the telling of the tale of Ishmael and Hagar’s banishment – Ishmael changes from teenager to small child in the space of a few lines.
• Abraham has already dealt falsely with Abimelech of course. See Genesis 20.

Image: Abraham Casting Out Hagar and Ishmael, by Il Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri) (1591 – 1666)

~ by tamfuwing on June 17, 2008.