Abraham’s Firstborn Son
Ishmael was the firstborn son of Abraham, born through his union with Hagar, the servant of his wife, Sarah. His story, recorded in the book of Genesis, reveals not only the family dynamics of Abraham but also God’s care for those involved in His promises, even amidst human choices and conflicts.
God’s Promise to Abraham
The Lord God made a transformative promise to Abraham, calling him to a journey of faith and blessings.
Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. (Genesis 12:1-3, KJV)
This promise established Abraham as the patriarch of a great nation, but initially, he and Sarah faced the challenge of Sarah’s barrenness, which prevented her from bearing children.
Human Decision and Ishmael’s Birth
Ten years after the initial promise, Sarah, still childless, suggested that Abraham build a family through her servant, Hagar, to fulfill the purpose of God’s promise.
And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. (Genesis 16:2, KJV)
Abraham agreed to the proposal, and Hagar conceived. However, Hagar’s pregnancy led to tensions, as she began to despise Sarah, her mistress.
And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes. And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge betwixt me and thee. (Genesis 16:4-5, KJV)
Abraham then permitted Sarah to deal with Hagar as she saw fit. Sarah treated Hagar harshly, causing Hagar to flee into the wilderness.
Hagar’s Encounter with God
In the wilderness, Hagar was found by the angel of the Lord, who brought her a promise of hope and multiplication of her descendants.
And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude. And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction. And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren. (Genesis 16:10-12, KJV)
Ishmael, meaning “God hears,” reflects God’s response to Hagar’s cry. She acknowledged God’s care, calling Him “Thou God seest me” and naming the place “Beer-lahai-roi” (the well of the Living One who sees me). Following the angel’s instructions, Hagar returned to Abraham and Sarah and gave birth to Ishmael.
The Reaffirmation of the Promise and Circumcision
Thirteen years after Ishmael’s birth, God renewed His covenant with Abraham, establishing circumcision as a sign and promising that Sarah, now called Sarah (princess), would bear a son.
And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be. And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her. Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear? And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee! (Genesis 17:15-18, KJV)
Abraham, with fatherly affection, expressed his care for Ishmael, but God clarified that the covenant would be fulfilled through Isaac, though Ishmael would also be blessed.
And God said, 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. And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation. But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year. (Genesis 17:19-21, KJV)
The Birth of Isaac and Ishmael’s Expulsion
The promise was fulfilled, and Sarah gave birth to Isaac when Abraham was 100 years old.
And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken. For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac. (Genesis 21:1-3, KJV)
When Isaac was weaned, around three or four years old, Sarah saw Ishmael, then about 17, mocking her son. Outraged, she demanded that Abraham expel Hagar and Ishmael.
Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac. (Genesis 21:10, KJV)
Abraham was deeply troubled, but God instructed him to follow Sarah’s request, assuring him that Ishmael would be protected.
And the thing was very grievous in Abraham’s sight because of his son. And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called. (Genesis 21:11-12, KJV)
God’s Care for Hagar and Ishmael in the Wilderness
Abraham provided supplies and water for Hagar and Ishmael and sent them away. In the wilderness of Beersheba, their resources ran out, and Hagar, in despair, distanced herself from Ishmael to avoid watching him die.
And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba. And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs. And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept. (Genesis 21:14-16, KJV)
God, however, heard Ishmael’s cry and intervened.
And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is. (Genesis 21:17, KJV)
The angel comforted Hagar, promising that Ishmael would become a great nation, and God opened her eyes to a well of water.
And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink. (Genesis 21:19, KJV)
Ishmael’s Legacy
Ishmael grew under God’s provision in the wilderness of Paran, becoming a skilled archer. Hagar secured an Egyptian wife for him, and Ishmael established himself as the leader of a great nation, fathering twelve princes, as God had promised. Though the messianic covenant was established through Isaac, God’s care for Ishmael demonstrates His grace and faithfulness.
Conclusion: The God Who Hears and Sees
Ishmael’s story reveals a God who hears the cries of the afflicted and sees those in need. Despite human choices that led to conflict, God never abandoned Ishmael, fulfilling His promises to both him and Abraham. May Ishmael’s journey inspire us to trust in the God who sees and guides us, even in the wilderness of life.
