The story of Ishmael and Hagar being sent away by Abraham is a poignant narrative found in the book of Genesis, specifically in chapters 16 and 21. This account is not just a tale of familial discord but also a reflection of faith, divine promises, and human frailty. To understand the events that led to their departure, we must delve into the broader context of Abraham's life, the promises God made to him, and the dynamics within his household.
Abraham, originally named Abram, was called by God to leave his homeland and journey to a land that God would show him. God made a covenant with Abraham, promising him that he would become the father of a great nation (Genesis 12:1-3). This promise was reiterated several times, with God assuring Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky (Genesis 15:5). However, there was a significant challenge: Abraham's wife, Sarah, was barren, and they were both advancing in age.
In Genesis 16, we see the first seeds of the conflict that would lead to Hagar and Ishmael's expulsion. Sarah, desperate for a child and perhaps doubting the fulfillment of God's promise, suggested that Abraham take her Egyptian maidservant, Hagar, as a concubine to bear a child on her behalf. This was a culturally acceptable practice in the ancient Near East, though it was fraught with potential complications. Abraham agreed to Sarah's proposal, and Hagar conceived a child.
Once Hagar became pregnant, tensions arose. Hagar began to despise Sarah, likely because her status in the household had been elevated due to her pregnancy. In response, Sarah treated Hagar harshly, causing Hagar to flee into the wilderness. It was there that an angel of the Lord appeared to Hagar, instructing her to return to Sarah and submit to her authority. The angel also delivered a promise that Hagar's descendants through her son, Ishmael, would be too numerous to count (Genesis 16:10).
Hagar returned and bore Abraham a son, Ishmael. For a time, it seemed that Ishmael might be the heir through whom God would fulfill His promise to Abraham. However, God had other plans. In Genesis 17, God reaffirmed His covenant with Abraham and promised that Sarah would bear a son, Isaac, through whom the covenant would be established. This promise was fulfilled when Sarah gave birth to Isaac when Abraham was 100 years old (Genesis 21:1-5).
The birth of Isaac marked a turning point in the narrative. As Isaac grew, Sarah's concerns about Ishmael's presence in the household intensified. Genesis 21:8-10 describes a pivotal moment during a feast celebrating Isaac's weaning. Sarah observed Ishmael, who was about fourteen years old at the time, mocking Isaac. This incident, coupled with the cultural implications of inheritance rights, led Sarah to demand that Abraham send Hagar and Ishmael away, stating, "Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that woman's son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac."
Abraham was deeply distressed by Sarah's demand, as Ishmael was his son and he loved him. However, God intervened, reassuring Abraham that he should listen to Sarah because Isaac was the child of promise. God promised Abraham that Ishmael would also become a great nation because he was Abraham's offspring (Genesis 21:12-13).
Following God's guidance, Abraham sent Hagar and Ishmael away with provisions. They wandered in the desert of Beersheba, where their situation became dire. When their water supply ran out, Hagar, in despair, placed Ishmael under a bush and moved away, unable to watch her son die. In this moment of desperation, God heard Ishmael's cries and sent an angel to comfort Hagar, reminding her of God's promise to make Ishmael into a great nation. God then provided a well of water for them (Genesis 21:17-19).
The narrative of Hagar and Ishmael's departure concludes with Ishmael growing up in the wilderness of Paran and becoming an expert archer. Hagar found him a wife from Egypt, and his descendants indeed became a great nation, fulfilling God's promise (Genesis 21:20-21).
This story is rich with themes of faith, promise, and the complexities of human relationships. It highlights the tension between human attempts to fulfill divine promises through their own means and the fulfillment of those promises in God's timing and manner. The narrative also emphasizes God's faithfulness and care for all His creation, as seen in His provision for Hagar and Ishmael even after they were sent away.
Christian theologians often view the story of Ishmael and Isaac as an allegory of the old and new covenants. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, uses the story to illustrate the difference between the covenant of law, symbolized by Hagar and Ishmael, and the covenant of grace, symbolized by Sarah and Isaac (Galatians 4:21-31). This interpretation underscores the broader biblical theme of God's grace and the fulfillment of His promises through faith.
In summary, the events leading to the expulsion of Ishmael and Hagar are a tapestry woven with human emotions, divine promises, and the unfolding of God's plan. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the importance of trusting in His promises, even when circumstances seem to suggest otherwise.