As we come to the end of the Abraham saga, we find a word that surprises us. Found in Genesis 25:8-9 the Word says, "Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age...His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him..." It is impossible not to wonder if the two sons had a relationship through the years and how their adult lives were impacted by their Father. Genesis 21:14 speaks of Hagar and his mother living in the region of Beersheba and after Abraham and Isaac came down from Mt Moriah, the Word speaks of them living in the same region. (Genesis 22:19) Though forced from the tent of Abraham, Ishmael was not in another world, but in an accessible region.
Though Isaac and Ishmael likely knew the whereabouts of the other, the influence of their father was different. One translation of the 18th verse of Genesis 25 suggests that Ishmael lived in opposition or with hostility to those around him. If such is the case, it might be true that he lived with anger and resentment about the way he was pushed away. Isaac, on the other hand, lived so under the influence of his father that he was not involved in selecting his own wife. Though a great man of faith, Abraham could have been a better father.
It seems noteworthy that both these sons came together at the death of their father. Even though pushed apart, they apparently had some kind of contact and relationship with each other through the years. Even though their family was imperfect, as all are, they seemingly managed to stay connected. Like these two brothers we are all put in a family. From the very beginning, the Creator God made it clear that family was important, thus, we always need to work at being connected to those who are a part of us instead of allowing something to separate us.
Though Isaac and Ishmael likely knew the whereabouts of the other, the influence of their father was different. One translation of the 18th verse of Genesis 25 suggests that Ishmael lived in opposition or with hostility to those around him. If such is the case, it might be true that he lived with anger and resentment about the way he was pushed away. Isaac, on the other hand, lived so under the influence of his father that he was not involved in selecting his own wife. Though a great man of faith, Abraham could have been a better father.
It seems noteworthy that both these sons came together at the death of their father. Even though pushed apart, they apparently had some kind of contact and relationship with each other through the years. Even though their family was imperfect, as all are, they seemingly managed to stay connected. Like these two brothers we are all put in a family. From the very beginning, the Creator God made it clear that family was important, thus, we always need to work at being connected to those who are a part of us instead of allowing something to separate us.
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