Ek – So Hagar Bore Abram a Son and Abram Named Him Ishmael 16: 15-16

So Hagar Bore Abram a Son
and Abram Named Him Ishmael
16: 15-16

So Hagar bore Abram a son and Abram named him Ishmael DIG: What does this chapter tell you about ADONAI? About human nature? What lessons could Sarai, Abram and Hagar have learned from this experience?

REFLECT: What has been your experience when you have had to “help” the LORD discover His plan for your life?

So Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram gave the name Ishmael to the son she had born (16:15). After this experience, Hagar did return to Hebron, to Abram and Sarai, no doubt telling them about her experience with ADONAI. Without question there was a time of repentance and thanksgiving on the part of all three of them, and they apparently resolved to live together as amicably as they could with the LORD’s help. When the child was born, Abram, in obedience to the revelation received by Hagar, named him Ishmael and raised him as his son. For the next thirteen years Abram, Sarai, Hagar and, as he grew up, Ishmael, all believed he was the son of promise. It was only some fourteen years later that God appeared to Abram and told him Ishmael was the son of the flesh, and not the son of promise (15:5).

Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore him Ishmael (16:16). Moses notes important dates in the life of Abram under the direction of the Holy Spirit. This date will be important to identify the difference in the ages of Abram’s two sons.

As far as the Scriptures go, the next thirteen years would pass by in silence. It would have been easy to forget the LORD’s promise to Abram. He prospered financially, Ishmael grew into manhood and the Land was at peace. Abram had apparently given up all hope that he and Sarai would have a son of their own. One can only imagine how difficult those years were for Sarai. Had God forgotten her suffering? However, ADONAI had not forgotten. And in the fullness of time, He would bring Sarai a son.²⁷⁷