The Blessing Given to Hagar

Here's my $.02. I think Hagar's blessing was to reward her obedience and, though in ignorance, her faithfulness. Hagar's blessing appear to me to be more of a tool that God uses to keep Abraham in check. I think the original intent of God was that Ismael was to begat the Arab people. But, somewhere along the way, Ismael's decendents strayed from God's intend for them. That shouldn't come as any surprise, since scripture is filled with numerous examples of the Jews doing that on a regular basis, finally culminating in their refusal to see Jesus as their Messiah (heck, even the Muslims see Jesus as the Messiah). Indeed, to this day, the Muslim people have, imo, been a tool that God uses to keep us in check. Today, it seems we're kept in check by by many non-christian religions, including Muslims and Jews.

Again, just my $.02. There's no scripture that speaks to those things.

 

hmmm I would hate to be around when you announced that (heck, even the Muslims see Jesus as the Messiah) to my little 'friends' in Gitmo. The scream obscenites using Jesus' name. Nice lot they are. Not.

Having seen the middle East, I would have to say it reminds me of what my imagination would tell me that the edge of hell looks like. It appears that God has made his mark on the land and on the people many times over, but they keep denying His word. They are still humans, and can still give up all that nonsense and seek God through Jesus Christ, so I have not given up all hope. Peace in the middle East? Perhaps just not in my lifetime.

 

I believe it is very likely that Hagar, and later (Gen. 21) Ishmael both knew the worship of the Living God. They each were members of the household of Abraham of whom God declares in Gen. 18 that "He knew him" that he would teach his house after him to worship and obey God. Then we learn that Ishmael mocked Isaac (the child of the promise). This shows the hearing of the word was not mixed with faith in the child of the bondwoman.

I think, imho, this episode is given to us and experienced by Abraham to point us all to the true seed, to show us all the casting out of the bondwoman and her son (representing the bondage of the law) see Gal.4.

The experience of Abraham from Genesis 15-22 persuade me this is the primary purpose. The child of the bondwoman was the result of Abraham's own weak faith, disobedience and anxiety toward the fulfillment of the promise. Then consider the law serves the purpose of revealing to ourselves the inability to please God according to righteousness except through Christ.

See how God is a hearing God? Gen. 21.17
Who does he hear? Those calling for mercy, cast upon the bondage of the law, unable to sustain life (spiritually), how does He answer? Is it through increased bondage? NO, but rather through mercy, godliness, and righteousness (Ps. 4; 5).

What does this point all of us (unbeliever and believer as well, for we each have need of mercy and Grace from God daily) John 1.29; 14.6.

Do we have an assurance of God hearing our pleas for mercy from bondage under the law?

John 11.42; Heb. 10.19-25.

Just some thoughts I have had regarding the experiences of Abraham.

May God Bless,
Bro. Dallas