I’m still in the story of Abraham having to send Ishmael and Hagar away. But I’m back at the beginning of it all. We don’t know exactly what Ishmael said to Isaac or if he’d mocked his half-brother before. But we do know that he teased Isaac, and Sarah was close enough to witness it. And because she saw and heard it, that changed everything.
God allowed Sarah to hear it and not Abraham. If Abraham had witnessed it, he might not have volunteered to send the boy and his mother packing. But Sarah was the right one – God knew who needed to be a witness to the taunting. Everything and everyone are positioned where they are supposed to be. God used that incident to separate Isaac, so he would be the heir, as God said He was.
Who would have thought Ishmael teasing his brother would be “the incident” that forced swift changes? I’m sure if Ishmael had known Sarah was watching and listening, he wouldn’t have teased Isaac. And he certainly didn’t expect to experience such extreme measures for mocking him. But it was designed by God!
Remember Penninah and her abusive mouth? She had kids running around her feet but made sure to take time to mock Hannah for being barren. She’d been in this situation for years, and Penninah rubbed that fact in her face. Surely, she didn’t bank on God hearing Hannah’s prayer for a child. But, there came a “last time for that.” God heard Hannah’s plea for a child, and life quickly shifted. God caused Samuel to show up! He didn’t run Penninah out of town. He just shut her mouth by opening Hannah’s womb. The opportunity for Penninah to diss Hannah dried up.
I thank God for reminders that He hears and sees it all. He’s not lost, late, or overlooking anything. Sometimes, it’s just not time yet for the solution to be unveiled. But there is coming a day when that will be “the last time for that!”
Take heart: God heard what was said, how you feel about it, and He has a plan to address it all! He will work it out in His way and in His time.
In the Master’s Service, Author/Pastor Michele D Robertson Rest4awearysoul.com
9And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking. 10 Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac. 11 And the thing was very grievous in Abraham’s sight because of his son.12 And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called. Genesis 21: 9-12 (KJV)
1 Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite:2 And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.3 And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there.4 And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions:5 But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the Lord had shut up her womb.6 And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the Lord had shut up her womb.7 And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.8 Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?9 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the Lord.10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore.11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.12 And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli marked her mouth.13 Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.14 And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.15 And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord.16 Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.17 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him. I Samuel 1:1-17 (KJV)