And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!
Abraham was nearly one hundred years old when he uttered this plea. He had not yet grasped that Sarah herself would bear the promised son and that the covenant promise would be fulfilled through Isaac. Out of deep affection for Ishmael he clung to his son.
He expected Ishmael to be the heir through whom the promise of many nations and God's gracious purposes would be accomplished. His plea was that Ishmael might live on under God's favor, be accepted before God, and share as heir in the promise. In answer God made clear that Sarah would bear Isaac, with whom He would establish the everlasting covenant to continue with his descendants.
Abraham was nearly one hundred years old when he uttered this plea. He had not yet grasped that Sarah herself would bear the promised son and that the covenant promise would be fulfilled through Isaac. Out of deep affection for Ishmael he clung to his son.
He expected Ishmael to be the heir through whom the promise of many nations and God's gracious purposes would be accomplished. His plea was that Ishmael might live on under God's favor, be accepted before God, and share as heir in the promise. In answer God made clear that Sarah would bear Isaac, with whom He would establish the everlasting covenant to continue with his descendants.