The Calling of Abraham (37)

Rev. J.B. Zippro, Beckwith Avenue, Grand Rapids, MI

The promise concerning Ishmael

We noted in our last message that Abraham fell on his face before the Lord and laughed with joy when, by faith, he saw in the promise of the birth of Isaac the promise of the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Shortly after this blessed event, Abraham said unto God,“0 that Ishmael might live before Thee!” (Genesis 17:18). How was that possible? Who can here explain the heart of Abraham? It is sometimes said of the heart that it is a vessel of contradictions. The commentators say of this statement that it was spoken in weakness. Anyone who has a little knowledge of his own heart will understand it a bit. In true conversion man receives knowledge of himself, and when he is brought a little further on the way, he will find more and more abominations. There can be so many things that go on in his heart at the same time, or following each other, that they can even contradict each other. When we have received a little self-knowledge, perhaps we can understand something of what Abraham says,“0 that Ishmael might live before Thee!”

In the leadings of the Lord with a soul there are moments that one can believe. There are moments that a soul can be filled with unspeakable joy, that he would laugh and joy in the Lord. There can be other moments when love is missing. Then it becomes impossible, and one may ask, “Oh, how can that be fulfilled, Lord? How shall that be, Lord?” We can read something similar of Mary when the angel came to her with the message of Christ’s birth. She also inquired, “How shall this be?” This was not spoken in unbelief as it was in the life of Zacharias but in confusion and true concern of soul. Such a soul can be filled with questions when he says, “Lord, how is that possible?”

Abraham’s proposal is made out of weakness. He looks at Ishmael who is already thirteen years old and wonders if that can be a possible solution. God wants to make room for Isaac, but Abraham approaches God with Ishmael. Isn’t that the way it often goes in the life of God’s people? When God wants to make room for Christ, then the sinner can come with many excuses which he has within himself and which he desires to present before the Lord. Here the Lord is going to make room for Himself and for His covenant, for His everlasting faithfulness, and for His everlasting promise when He gave His only begotten Son. Then the sinner says, “But, Lord,” and tries to present something of himself.

That is how it is in the heart of Abraham when he says, “O that Ishmael might live before Thee!” This prayer for Ishmael is uttered out of weakness. “Lord, is it possible that he can be the son of promise?” This may also be the case with us when we pray for our children. It may be that we have an eye on one of them and have a special prayer for her or him. If it is right, however, we will mention all our children in prayer. I once heard a minister say that we should pray for all our children by name.

The Lord does not argue with Abraham; He only repeats what He had said earlier, “Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac; and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him” (Genesis 17:19). This is the first time that the name of that son, Isaac, is revealed. Isaac is a Hebrew name which means “he that laughs.” Would Abraham not laugh? Did he not laugh because of that great unspeakable revelation? He is filled with joy in the Lord. When the people hear that a child has been born to a man one hundred years old, it will make them laugh and exclaim, “How is that possible?” It is also revealed that, later on, in the tent of Abraham much mockery took place there because of Hagar and Ishmael. Isaac was despised in their eyes, but in the heart of a true child of God, there will be unspeakable joy because of the mysterious ways in which the Lord fulfills His promises.

Is there, then, nothing left for Ishmael? Oh yes, the Lord will also bless Ishmael in that he will be a father of a great nation and multiply and beget twelve princes. Notice, however, the difference when it is said of Isaac that the Lord will make nations of him and kings shall come from him. Of Ishmael it was said that He would make of him a great nation, in the singular, and not nations, in the plural, like Isaac! There is a difference! The Lord would not forget Ishmael, however. Ishmael means “he that hears.” That child of Hagar, and even those at the edge of the covenant, would not be forgotten by the Lord, and they would also be blessed in an outward way.

It was a lesson for Abraham that this was not a spiritual eternal blessing. Abraham did not yet understand it, but the Lord will explain it to him. This was the great difference between Ishmael and Isaac, and that difference should also serve as a lesson for us. Today there are people who underscore that we are covenant children but negate the necessity of regeneration; they forget something which God’s Word says is very serious and important. We hope to discuss this further in the next installment, D.V.

— To be continued —

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