“So Abraham got up early the next morning, prepared food and a container of water…
Then he sent her away with their son…” (Ishmael) Genesis 21:14
“The next morning, Abraham got up early…He took his son, Isaac...built an altar and arranged the wood on it. Then he tied his son, Isaac, and laid him on the altar on top of the wood.” ( Isaac) Genesis 22:3, 9
Abraham was asked to give up not just one, but TWO sons. There are priceless lessons embedded in the tales his boys could tell.
Ishmael and his mother wandered in the wilderness until their water was gone, but God heard the desperate cry of a thirsty boy. Isaac and his father carried no lamb with them as they climbed the mountain to offer a sacrifice. But, when the knife was raised to slay Isaac as the lamb, God heard the desperate cry of a daddy’s heart.
In each situation, an angel of the Lord called from heaven at the boys’ greatest point of anguish. For Ismael: “Hagar, what’s wrong? Do not be afraid! God has heard the boy crying…go to him and comfort him…” For Isaac: “Abraham, Abraham, don’t lay a hand on the boy!…Now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son…”
At those precise moments, God opened tear-filled eyes to discover a miracle! Hagar saw a well full of water for Ishmael, Abraham saw a ram in the thicket for Isaac. The tale of these two sons unfolds a synonymous truth…their Jehovah Jireh came through for them at just the right time…...And that same tale can be yours!
