By choosing Isaac over Ishmael, God confirms that all people born of faith ( as Isaac was born in faith of God’s promise to do the impossible ) are truly children of Abraham and heirs of the promise.
Here is the problem as I understand it. Remember, in the beginning, that Abraham is the father of two nations, the Arabs and the Jews. Ishmael is viewed as the father of Islam. Ishmael is also viewed as the spiritual father of Mohammad. Ishmael is also viewed by those of the Islamic faith as “The true heir of the promise” because he was born first.
Here is the reality from God’s Word and perspective. Ishmael, born through Hagar, Sarah’s maidservant, was born “the son of Abraham and Sarah’s disobedience. ” God still blessed them. However, Isaac was born second ‘out of obedience’ and was the fulfillment of God’s promise of an heir. Abraham loved Ishmael as his firstborn. I believe his faith waivered as Sarah was over ninety years old and was without “the promised blessing of a son.
Reference Genesis 16: 10-12 and on for mote details.
God told Hagar that Ishmael will be born “a wild donkey of a man, with his hand against everyone, and everyone’s hand against him,” and he will live among his relatives.
So, as we look at the radical ideology of the Islamic faith, we look back to this ancient story and see Ishmael and what happened. We see the continuing never-ending conflict between Arabs and Jews. Jerusalem is the prize. In my opinion, there can not and will not be a “two state solution” to the problem of Arabs and Jews in the Middle East. This fight is to the end. Finally, humanity must understand that God is all about family, faith, and obedience. If we deviate, there are dire consequences. Frankie The Earthman.
Frankie The Earthman 