Siblings

Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. Isaac grew, and on the day of the child's weaning Abraham held a great feast. Sarah noticed the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham playing with her son Isaac; so she demanded of Abraham: "Drive out that slave and her son! No son of that slave is going to share the inheritance with my son Isaac!" Abraham was greatly distressed, especially on account of his son Ishmael.

But God said to Abraham: "Do not be distressed about the boy or about your slave woman. Heed the demands of Sarah, no matter what she is asking of you; for it is through Isaac that descendants shall bear your name. As for the son of the slave woman, I will make a great nation of him also, since he too is your offspring."

Early the next morning Abraham got some bread and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar. Then, placing the child on her back, he sent her away. As she roamed aimlessly in the wilderness of Beer-sheba, the water in the skin was used up. So she put the child down under a shrub, and then went and sat down opposite him, about a bowshot away; for she said to herself, "Let me not watch to see the child die." As she sat opposite Ishmael, he began to cry.

God heard the boy's cry, and God's messenger called to Hagar from heaven: "What is the matter, Hagar? Don't be afraid; God has heard the boy's cry in this plight of his. Arise, lift up the boy and hold him by the hand; for I will make of him a great nation." Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. She went and filled the skin with water, and then let the boy drink. God was with the boy as he grew up. (Genesis 21:5, 8-20)

I suspect most of us forget about this part of Genesis even when thinking and reading about foreign affairs, especially those pertaining to Judaism and Islam.  According to Genesis, God favored both faiths originating from Isaac and Ishmael.  God would make both nations and their faiths great. So why the centuries of conflict between these two monotheistic faiths with so much in common? Stupidity, cruelty, and rampant injustice are three reasons.  Throw in evil intentions, revenge, and intense competition for land and resources to make six.

Sometimes I wonder if God had a change of heart.  I suspect not.  God has patience with sibling jealously and conflict.  God also has patience with Christians who treat Jews and Muslims with contempt.  Too much patience in my opinion.

Deacon David Pierce