Matthew 10:26–31 Genesis 21:8–21
The story of Hagar and her son Ishmael is one of the most remarkable stories in the Bible. Abraham and Sarah, promised parents of God’s chosen nation, are rich and established. They have flocks of sheep and goats; they have tents and servants. What Abraham and Sarah do not have is a son and that’s a problem if they’re going to be the parents of a great nation.
So, consistent with custom, Sarah suggests that her favorite servant Hagar, an Egyptian, might become the mother of Abraham’s son. That’s what happens. His name is Ishmael. But then something truly unexpected occurs. Sarah has a son and calls him Isaac.
One day Sarah sees Isaac and Ishmael playing together and a terrible thought occurs to her. Ishmael as Abraham’s oldest son might have a claim on the family’s patrimony instead of Isaac . Sarah knows exactly how to deal with the situation. She distances herself from her favorite servant , no longer even uses her name; dehumanizes, demonizes, and then concludes that there is no room for Hagar and Ishmael and they have to go
Abraham is reluctant but ultimately agrees. In a pathetic gesture gives Hagar a little bread and water and throws her out into the desert with her infant son. It is there in the desert , in time of abandonment, that Hagar cries out to God .
Dr. Willy L Mafuta, Ph.D, Th.D
Senior Pastor,
Hopewell United Methodist Church, Hopewell, NJ 08525