The story of Abraham banishing Ishmael is found in Genesis 21:14, which states “So Abraham rose early in the morning and took bread and a skin of water and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away. And she departed and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.” To understand why this happened, we need to look at the full context surrounding this event.
Background on Abraham, Sarah and Hagar
Abraham was originally called Abram. God had promised him that he would become the father of a great nation (Genesis 12:2). However, his wife Sarah was barren and unable to conceive (Genesis 11:30). After living in the land of Canaan for ten years with no child, Sarah decided to offer her Egyptian servant Hagar to Abraham in order to bear a child through her (Genesis 16:1-2). This was a common ancient practice when a wife was unable to have children. Abraham agreed and Hagar became pregnant with Ishmael (Genesis 16:4).
However, this created tension and jealousy between Sarah and Hagar (Genesis 16:4-6). Hagar fled into the wilderness but was told by an angel to return and submit to Sarah. She returned and gave birth to Ishmael when Abraham was 86 years old (Genesis 16:11-16). Thirteen years passed and when Abraham was 99, God appeared again to Abraham, promising that Sarah would have a son and his covenant would be established through this child, not through Ishmael (Genesis 17:15-21). A year later, when Abraham was 100, Sarah miraculously conceived and gave birth to Isaac (Genesis 21:1-7).
Sarah’s Demand to Banish Hagar and Ishmael
Isaac’s birth further increased tension between Sarah and Hagar. When Isaac was weaned, likely around 3 years old, Sarah witnessed Ishmael “mocking” or “playing with” Isaac (Genesis 21:8-9). This upset her greatly. She told Abraham to banish Hagar and Ishmael, declaring “the son of this slave woman shall not be heir with my son Isaac” (Genesis 21:10).
This demand displeased Abraham, as Ishmael was his son too. But God told Abraham to listen to Sarah because his covenant would be established through Isaac, not Ishmael (Genesis 21:12-13). God also promised to make Ishmael into a great nation, even though Isaac was the son of promise through whom Abraham’s offspring would be reckoned (Genesis 21:13).
Abraham Sends Hagar and Ishmael Away
The next morning Abraham brought provisions and sent Hagar and Ishmael away into the wilderness (Genesis 21:14). Abraham was troubled by this, but God reassured him that Ishmael would become a great nation (Genesis 21:13, 18).
Hagar and Ishmael eventually ran out of provisions and were desperate for water in the wilderness of Beersheba. As Ishmael lay dying, Hagar weeped and cried out to God. God heard them and provided a well for them to drink from, and they survived (Genesis 21:15-19). God was with Ishmael as he grew up in the wilderness and became an expert archer. He settled in the wilderness of Paran and his mother got him a wife from Egypt (Genesis 21:20-21).
Why Did Abraham Agree to Banish Ishmael?
There are several reasons Abraham agreed to banish Ishmael from his household:
- God had made it clear that Isaac was the promised son through whom his offspring would be reckoned, not Ishmael (Genesis 17:19-21, 21:12).
- Sarah demanded Ishmael’s banishment and as Abraham’s wife, he had to respect her wishes.
- There was tension and rivalry between Sarah and Hagar over whose son would be heir.
- Ishmael was “mocking” the young Isaac, seen as persecuting the child of promise.
- God reassured Abraham that Ishmael would also become a great nation and be blessed, easing his concerns (Genesis 21:13,18).
- Abraham trusted God’s promise to care for Hagar and Ishmael and provide for them.
So while it grieved Abraham greatly, he obeyed God’s clear direction and sent Hagar and Ishmael away per Sarah’s demand. Yet God graciously cared for them both in the wilderness.
Why Did Sarah Demand Ishmael’s Banishment?
Sarah’s demand to banish Hagar and Ishmael seems harsh, but here are some explanations:
- Sarah was jealous that Hagar had given Abraham an heir (Genesis 16:5).
- There was rivalry between her and Hagar over whose son would be heir.
- She wanted to remove any threat to her son Isaac’s inheritance rights.
- Hagar and Ishmael’s presence was a reminder of Abraham’s polygamy and Sarah’s infertility.
- She was angry and upset over Ishmael “mocking” Isaac (Genesis 21:9-10).
- Sarah did not want Isaac influenced by Ishmael, who was older.
- As a legal wife, Sarah exercised her rights in the household.
While painful, the banishment fulfilled God’s promise that only Isaac would inherit the covenant blessings. Sarah’s motives likely mixed legitimate family concerns with jealousy and pride. Yet God used it to fulfill His divine purposes.
How Does This Point to Christ?
This story ultimately points to Jesus Christ in several ways:
- Isaac was the promised son of Abraham, born miraculously, foreshadowing Christ as the promised Son of God.
- Ishmael’s persecution of Isaac foreshadows the persecution of Christ by the unbelieving Jews.
- Isaac carrying the wood for his sacrificial offering points to Christ carrying the wood of the cross.
- The ram provided in place of Isaac parallels Christ the Lamb of God as a substitutionary sacrifice.
- Isaac and Ishmael’s reunion to bury Abraham hints at future reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles through faith in Christ.
God used this family crisis to put His ultimate plan of redemption into motion. The Messiah would come through Isaac’s lineage to be the Savior of both Jews and Gentiles, fulfilling God’s covenant with Abraham (Galatians 3:16).
Lessons We Can Learn
Here are some key lessons we can take away from this account:
- God is sovereign and His purposes will be accomplished even through difficult circumstances.
- God cares for all people involved in challenging family dynamics.
- Trust God even when you don’t understand why something painful is happening.
- Parenting matters, as Abraham struggled from having an heir by two different women.
- Avoid jealousy, rivalry and harming others due to pride or family favoritism.
- God can bring future good even from painful family separations if we trust Him.
While Abraham struggled to understand this family crisis, he chose to obey God’s direction. We too can trust God’s sovereignty and care even amidst family turmoil and rely on Him to somehow work it for good (Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28).