The Mystery of Ishmael

 Reading Genesis 21:8-14

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2021%3A8-14&version=ESV

Circulating around the Lord’s overarching and sovereign plan of Salvation, are the pitfalls and mistakes made by the wavering of Abraham and Sarah. Yet the Lord shows by his mercy towards Hagar and Ishmael, that he is sovereign even over these. 

In the midst of God’s sovereign plan, we will continually mess up: But rest assured, we will not mess up the Great and Sovereign plan of God. We know this, because he continually works out his plans through us and in the midst of us! Because he knows us and it is his delight to use us! 

Psalm 103:14 

For he knows our frame;

    he remembers that we are dust.

He has already finished the work of Salvation for us, and until that time when we reach the end, to see him face to face and be instantly transformed, his grace is absolutely sufficient for us; his strength is made perfect in all our abundance of weakness!

1Corinthians 15:50-58; 1John 3:1-3

2Corinthians 12:9

(As far as Ishmael’s descendants are concerned, we should be unwavering in our belief in and desire for their salvation. We are not required to think and behave like those who belong to this world, but rather, we must endeavor to pluck as many as possible out from the fire.)

Jude 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

Genesis 21:15 When the water in the skin was gone, she put the child under one of the bushes. 

16 Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot, for she said, “Let me not look on the death of the child.” And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept. 

17 And God heard the voice of the boy,

When a mother weeps for her child: 

Hagar’s tears are not for herself: They are for her child; so it is not the voice of Hagar’s tears that the Lord is hearing (although of course he did heard them) - but, because of Hagar’s tears for her son, the Lord causes Ishmael to cry out - and hears him! 

Here is a principal for every praying, weeping mother today!

Through our crying out, may the Lord stir the hearts of our children - that they would cry out!

…and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. 

18 Up! Lift up the boy, and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make him into a great nation.”

There are so many questions to be asked here:

What was the cry of Ishmael’s heart, from the depths of despair? Maybe it was that the Lord would spare them and not let them die...maybe that the Lord would reveal himself there in the wilderness, that they would have hope!

Whichever it was, the Lord heard Ishmael and answered.

And yet, maybe this prayer is yet to be fulfilled among Ishmael’s descendants. 

Is this “great nation” to be great in the eyes of God or men? 

Whichever it is, a great nation will require a great Salvation...a revelation of Jesus Christ in the wilderness:

Maybe this is what Ishmael cried out for.

I do not have an answer; except that, like Hagar, my cries and my tears for the descendants of Ishmael, are unending: That they would be saved!

19 Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. And she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink. 

20And God was with the boy, and he grew up.

2Peter 3:9