Offering of Isaac: Test of Faith
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him.” “As for Ishmael,” He said, “Behold, I have blessed him, ... and I
will make him a great nation.”
Polygamy Brings Sorrow
The birth of Isaac filled the tents of Abraham and Sarah with
gladness, but to Hagar this event was the overthrow of her fondly
cherished ambitions. Ishmael had been regarded by all as the heir
of Abraham’s wealth and the inheritor of the blessings promised his
descendants. Now he was suddenly set aside. Mother and son hated
the child of Sarah.
The general rejoicing increased their jealousy, until Ishmael dared
openly to mock the heir of God’s promise. Sarah saw in Ishmael’s
turbulent disposition a perpetual source of discord, and she appealed
to Abraham that Hagar and Ishmael be sent away.
The patriarch was thrown into great distress. How could he banish
Ishmael his son, still dearly beloved? In his perplexity he pleaded for
divine guidance. Through a holy angel the Lord directed him to grant
Sarah’s desire; only thus could he restore harmony and happiness to
his family. The angel gave him the promise that Ishmael would not
be forsaken by God and he would become the father of a great nation.
Abraham obeyed, but not without keen suffering. The father’s heart
was heavy as he sent away Hagar and his son.
The sacredness of the marriage relation was to be a lesson for
all ages. The rights and happiness of this relation are to be care-
fully guarded, even at great sacrifice. Sarah was the only true wife of
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Abraham. Her rights no other person was entitled to share. She was
unwilling that Abraham’s affections should be given to another, and
the Lord did not reprove her for requiring the banishment of her rival.
An Example for All Generations
Abraham was to stand as an example of faith to succeeding gen-
erations. But his faith had not been perfect. He had shown distrust
of God in his marriage with Hagar. That he might reach the highest
standard, God subjected him to another test, the closest which man
was ever asked to endure. In a vision of the night he was directed to