12. Seperation of two brothers - دو بھائیوں کی جدائی

written by Grandma Ida

Genesis 21: 1 - 21

It's the Word of God

told by teacher Arosa

written in the books of Moses

Do you remember when those angels came to visit Abraham?

Abraham and Sarah had prepared a delicious meal for the angels. But when they left, they said that Sarah would have a baby in a year. Abraham and Sarah knew that God had promised it, but they had grown so old. When you are that old, people don't receive children anymore. Sarah could hardly believe it, and then she had to laugh.

Now a year is gone. Abraham is one hundred years old and Sarah ninety. And Sarah is laughing again, for a little son has been born to Abraham and Sarah! It is truly a great miracle of God that such old people have a child. That little son is named Isaac, and that means “he laughs.” The little baby makes cheerful sounds, and mother Sarah answers with sweet words, and then the little child kicks his little legs. Sarah has made up a song. She sings, “God has made me laugh, and everyone who hears it will laugh with me!” Isaac does not yet understand the words his mother is singing.

Abraham looks at the little child; he thanks God! Those two old people, who live in a tent, how happy they are with their little child. God has done what He promised. How long they have had to wait, but now the child is truly born!

Yet there is also sorrow in Abraham's family. For there is a big boy in the tent too, and he is not very happy. He is 14 years old when Isaac is born. He was always Father's big boy, and now someone else is taking his place. He has black hair and his dark eyes look angry. His name is Ishmael. His mother is an Egyptian slave who helps Sarah with the housework. Hagar is not Abraham's first and true wife. But Ishmael is indeed a son of Abraham.

Small babies usually drink milk from their mother's breast. At that time it was several years that they were still drinking with their mother. But then the time comes when they no longer want that. The mother therefore has less and less milk.

Now they have to learn to live on bread, vegetables and meat. When the time comes, they will celebrate a party. Isaac is now going to be a big boy. But Ishmael is not happy at that party. He mocks Isaac. Things are not going well at all between those two brothers.

Then Mother Sarah said to Abraham: “I want you to send Ishmael and his mother away. They can't stand each other. God's promises are inherited from our marriage.” But Abraham became so sad, he said: “No, Sarah, we cannot do that; that is far too terrible. I love Ishmael too.”

But when Abraham was alone, he heard God’s voice saying: “Abraham, you do not need to be sad about your son. Just listen to what Sarah says. I am going to do something very beautiful. Through your son Isaac, there will be a very large, special family, with whom I will make a covenant. And listen carefully: I will not abandon your other son. I will take very good care of him too!”

Then, with a heavy heart, Abraham sends Hagar and Ishmael away. Hagar the slave is also sad. Why must she leave now with her son Ishmael? Life was so good with Abraham and Sarah in their home. To whom must she go? Abraham gives Hagar a large water bag, for it is very hot in the desert and one must drink a lot there. The journey toward Egypt is long and the water runs out. Ishmael is so thirsty and he is getting so tired. There is hardly any shade along the way. What now? Ishmael can hardly walk anymore, he is so tired and exhausted. Water would revive him, but there is no water left. The water bag Abraham gave them has long since run out. There is no water anywhere in the desert. Then Hagar lays her son down under some dry bushes and goes to sit a little further away. Must Ishmael now die of thirst?

But what is that……? Do you hear that? Hagar hears a voice in that lonely desert, but she sees no one…… “Hagar, why are you crying…… do' nt be afraid!” Who is calling her anyway…..? She sees no one. It's a voice from heaven that then says: “God has heard your son’s cry. Hagar, get up, take him by the hand. Ishmael, too, will become a great nation.” Hagar stands up; there is Someone who sees their distress, who comforts her. She looks around and what does she see…..?

Oh….. Just look, she is standing right next to a well! Where did that well suddenly come from? She hadn't seen it at all. They are happy and amazed by so much water; they could well live here, in the desert of Paran.

Water is so important for drinking, cooking, and washing! That is why people often settled near a water source or a well. And perhaps they stayed living there, for later it was the dwelling place of the Ishmaelites, the great nation that would descend from Ishmael.

Thought for the teacher: After Abraham let go of Isaac, (who was begotten not of the spirit but of the body) all of his hope would have had to be centered on a promise to come….that being the promise of the Messiah within his descendants of his marriage.

QUESTIONS:

🎈 Remember questions (Check if they paid attention)

How old were Abraham and Sarah when their little boy Isaac was born?
What does the name Isaac mean? And why did that name fit so well with how Sarah felt?
Why did Abraham and Sarah throw a big party for Isaac when he was a few years old?
For whom were the promises of God's covenant intended? For the descendants of Abraham and Sarah, or for Abraham and Hagar, the slave?
What did Hagar receive from Abraham for the long journey through the hot desert?

🤔 Thinking questions (To delve deeper into the story)

Ishmael was initially "Daddy's big boy," but then Isaac was born. How do you think Ishmael felt when all the attention went to the baby?
Have you ever experienced that yourself (for example, with a brother, sister, or friend)?
Abraham found it very difficult and sad to send Ishmael and Hagar away.
Who helped Abraham do what Sarah asked, and what did He promise Abraham?
Hagar laid Ishmael under the dry bushes because she thought he would die of thirst. Who heard the crying of the boy in the silent desert?

✨ Questions about Miracle and Faith (About God's care)

Hagar thought she was all alone in the desert. But the voice from heaven said: "Do not be afraid." What did Hagar suddenly discover right next to her when she looked around?
In this story, you see that two families are arguing and separating. How does God show in this story that He loves both boys (Isaac and Ishmael) after all and cares for them?

Ida