And the child grew and was weaned and Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, laughing. 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.” And the thing was very displeasing to Abraham on account of his son. 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. And I will make a nation of the son of the slave woman also, because he is your offspring.” (21:8–13)
Once again, we are reminded that not doing things God’s way brings trouble. In this case, ongoing. Rather than looking to God and waiting on Him for the promised son, Sarah gave Abraham her maidservant to bear a child for her—it appears that was a practise of people in those days. But it caused ongoing trouble.
Abraham doesn’t want to cast out Hagar and their son, Ishmael. But God tells him to listen to Sarah on this. So, Abraham gives them some supplies and sends them away. Once their water was gone, Hagar “put the child under one of the bushes” and “sat down a good way off” (Genesis 21:15-16) because she didn’t want to see him die. Note that this “child” of hers, Ishmael, was by now sixteen or seventeen years old, as he was thirteen years old when Abraham was ninety-nine. Isaac was born when Abraham was one hundred years old (so Ishmael was fourteen) and now Isaac is weaned, so that would be around three years after that.
But despite not consulting God, resulting in a “rival” being born, God cares for these people. He hears the voice of the boy and promises Hagar that He will make her son a great nation. God provides water for them. Also: “God was with the boy, and he grew up” (Genesis 21:20).
We all would do well (me included) to develop the habit of consulting God instead of coming up with our own solutions. There is nothing wrong with having an idea of how to deal with a problem, but we should bring it to God and ask Him if this is something He wants us to pursue or whether He has a better way. My husband has often asked me, “Have you asked God?” when I tell him of my ideas or plans. It is a good reminder to me, as often I haven’t consulted God about the matter.
Prayer: As I have so often prayed, O God, help me not to just follow my own “good” ideas, but to consult You, and to be led of You! Thank you that even in my mistakes, You are gracious to me. But I would rather avoid the mistakes and their consequences. Please guide me away, from foolish mistakes. Amen.
