Today, focus is on the account of GOD commanding Abraham to send away his wife Hagar and his son, Ishmael. Correctly understood, the holy writings focus upon the revelation of divinity through Jesus Christ, and transformation of the earth and all mankind to exist eternally as a new creation, and are not focused upon Arabs, Jews, Isaac, and Ishmael; upon current events and present-day conflicts being reported by the media; or upon the many accounts recorded as secular history. For Christian believers the active presence of divinity must come into view. Years before the child Isaac was born and alive upon the earth, GOD declared he would be an instrument for the fulfillment of divine promise and prophecy. Contrary to the custom of men, the firstborn would not be Abraham’s heir. In keeping with the divine practice and principle, “the elder shall serve the younger,” the second son would be chosen and promoted as the successor of Abraham. Many sacred events and divine operations are recorded among the accounts of Abraham that further reveal the authority, forbearance, longsuffering, and righteousness of GOD. Despite living as a nomad, and not being associated with any single nation or place upon the earth, Abraham is distinguished for being called “the Friend of GOD.” Abraham was a finite being upon the earth who maintained a covenant relationship with the Almighty through obedience, priesthood, sanctification, and good works (e.g., building altars; digging wells; leading worship for a family and household servants that may have numbered in thousands). The writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Katie” (Level 5 with 5,179 points, a member since June 14, 2013) posted the following:
Christians (and, I assume, Jews): Why in the WORLD did God basically tell Abraham to kick out Ishmael and his mom?
My dad (who is a Christian) says that the reason Arabs hate Jews is because Abraham kicked out Ishmael and his mom. According to my dad, Abraham's wife wanted him to do that. Abraham asked God what he should do and God told him to listen to his wife. Why did God say that? He's GOD, so he must have known what it would eventually lead to.
Update: Sorry for being dumb and not being able to remember Hagar's name.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband. Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free. (Galatians 4: 22-31, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Divine Inheritance and Resurrection? (07/06/2016); An Eternal Inheritance? (06/26/2016); Ye Are Abraham’s Seed (07/10/2015); Why the Jews Were Called Out? (06/15/2015); Blessing and Inheritance from Abraham? (06/05/2014); On Christians Executing Judgment (06/06/2014); Before Abraham Was… (03/14/2013); On Titles and Respect (03/15/2013)
“Katie”, all the accounts of Abraham (the “Friend of GOD”) that appear in the holy writings are intended as further revelation to make the Creator knowable and known to created beings and living creatures. The denial of Hagar and her son are to be understood as in agreement with specific eternal purposes of GOD before Creation; with the priesthood, proclamations, promises and prophecies established for Adam and continued by the Patriarchs; with the revelation of divinity that includes Deity appearing in flesh as the man, Jesus Christ; and with multiple devices and principles (e.g., birth-order, covenant, dynasty, inheritance) provided by eternal, immutable GOD to be in uninterrupted relationships with men on the earth who are subject to death. The marriage of Abraham and Sarah was in accordance with divine operations, sacred purposes, and the will of GOD, where the marriage to Hagar was in accordance with desires of the flesh, disbelief, lack of faith in GOD, lack of patience and presumption (i.e., exercising authority without lawful permission; stealing and taking control) through human self-will. As an Egyptian, Hagar represents spiritual confusion; and the circumcision of her son that established him as having status with GOD along with Abraham his father would always be opposed by his mother being outside of the divine covenant. Abraham was also required to “give up” his second son Isaac as a sacrifice upon the altar, and was answered by GOD for his demonstration of faith that proclaimed the divine power of resurrection. Consider again how some of this is stated using language from the Bible:
(1.) Hebrews 11: 17-19, King James Version (KJV): 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
(2.) Galatians 3: 16-19, KJV: 16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. 18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. 19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
(3.) Galatians 3: 21-24, KJV: 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. 22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
(4.) Romans 4: 13-18, KJV: 13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: 15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. 16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, 17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. 18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (5.) Galatians 3: 26-29, KJV: 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Washington, DC
