Bitter Fruit. Genesis 21:9-13

May the mumbling commence!

As we sow, so shall we reap.  The decision to “help” God along with the promise of many descendants continued to reap divisive fruit.  Read from Peterson’s The Message:

One day Sarah saw the son the Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham, poking fun at her son Isaac.  She told Abraham, “Get rid of this slave woman and her son.  No child of this slave is going to share inheritance with my son Isaac!”

The matter gave great pain to Abraham – after all, Ishmael was his son.  But God spoke to Abraham, “Don’t feel badly about the boy and your maid.  Do whatever Sarah tells you.  Your descendants will come through Isaac.  Regarding your maid’s son, be assured that I’ll also develop a great nation from him – he’s your son, too.”  (Genesis 21:9-13)

Now read the same passage from the NIV translation:

But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking, and she said to Abraham, "Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac." 

The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son.  But God said to him, "Do not be so distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.  I will make the son of the maidservant into a nation also, because he is your offspring."  (Genesis 21:9-13)

Jealousy is rearing its ugly head.  My mother calls it the green-eyed monster.  And it is a monster – scarier than anything Hollywood can come up with.

One thing that always impressed me about this passage is that Ishmael was never mentioned by name.  He was simply the boy or Hagar’s son.  His name was erased from the text to make it easier to send him away.  That’s why I was surprised that Peterson included his name.  He’s softening that blow.

The blow is also further softened by Peterson calling the nation that comes from Ishmael to be great.  That adjective is missing from the NIV.  Really, the blow should not be softened at all.

The blow is the outcome of the triangle of love and devotion amongst Abraham, Sarah and Hagar.  The fruit of this sowing is the bitter jealousy played out between Ishmael and Isaac.  Yes, we get in trouble when we try to “help” God along with His promises to us.  God’s timing is always the best.

When we refuse to wait on the Lord, we set ourselves up for much hurt and pain.  We’ll see more of these things as we continue on in chapter twenty-one of Genesis.

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out