Ishmael – Judy in the Sky

Read Genesis 25 – What really matters?

Abraham remarried Keturah after Sarah, and had 6 more sons. We are given their names, but they are never mentioned again.

Genesis is the story of Jesus Christ. People will be mentioned then just fade away because they are not a part of the Jesus story. Our lesson in this is that here and now, many will touch the story of Jesus. They will know who he is and that he offers salvation to all, but they do not take the gift. They too will fade out of the story. It is immensely tragic.

In verse :5 we read: “Abraham gave everything he owned to his son Isaac.” Isaac is the son of the promise. After Abraham dies, his sons Isaac and Ishmael bury him with Sarah.

In verses :12-18 we are given the descendants of Ishmael, but like the children born to Keturah, they are mentioned here then no more.

Now, Rebekah was barren like her mother-in-law, Sarah. Isaac pleaded with the LORD for her, and the LORD answered his prayer with twins. The twins were at war even in the womb. Rebekah asked God why and He responded with quite a pronouncement! Her sons are two rival nations…. Meet Esau and Jacob.

Esau was a manly man, a hunter and outdoorsman, and Isaac preferred him. Jacob had a quiet temperament and was favored by Rebekah. Before our chapter ends, the boys will have a childish encounter over some stew that will change everything!

Beloved, what is the LORD telling you in these verses? Where is Jesus in YOUR story?

Genesis 16 – What could go wrong?

God promised to give Abram a multitude of offspring, yet Sarai was barren, and she blamed God for her condition, saying, “Behold now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children.” (:2) She decided to help God keep His promise by giving her maid, Hagar, to Abram as a surrogate.

Once pregnant, Hagar looked on Sarai with contempt :4. Sarai then gets mad at Abram! He is the spiritual leader of the household, and he’s not leading. He didn’t lead when Sarai decided to help God, and he is not leading now.

Abram bows out and reminds her Hagar is her maid and tells her to do as she pleases. Sarai treats Hagar harshly, and Hagar flees.

An angel of the LORD finds pregnant, destitute Hagar by a spring in the wilderness and talks to her. First, he asks her to open up. He lets Hagar know she is heard and understood. He tells her to return to her mistress, and he gives her some great inside information about the child she is carrying. She calls the LORD, Beer Lahai Roi, the-God-Who-Sees-Me, and does as he says. Ishmael is born when Abram is 86 years old.

Now, jump back to Chapter 12 and recall when Abram took his family to Egypt. This is most likely where Hagar was acquired, and we see this deeper fall-out from not trusting God as it continues to ripple through the lives of Abram and his people.

Beloved, there are casualties to veering off course, yet still the LORD is with you, working all things out for your good and His glory. 💖👀🤰🙌👶👀💖