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Genesis 21 – Praying through the Bible #11 – A Prayer of a Teenage Boy
Life repeats itself, and Genesis is about real life. Life repeats itself, and uncontrollably the repetitions are often filled with pain, retribution, and goodbyes. Once before, Hagar left running away (16). Once again she leaves, pushed out and away (21). Once before, Hagar mistreated her mistress (16). Once again, Hagar’s son mistreats their mistress’ son. Once before, Sarah laughs at having a child (18). Once again someone laughs at her son, and pain is repeated (21.9). As if divinely intended, Ishmael’s “mocking” in Genesis 21.9 is the same word used of Abraham’s and Sarah’s laughing. Was she was mocking God’s promise? Life repeats itself, often hauntingly.
Sarah begs, demands, Abraham to “drive out this slave with her son” (21.10). The two are cast out, the language used for the original two driven out of Eden (3.24). Paternally, Abraham is distraught. But comfortably or uncomfortably, God intervenes, promising Ishmael will be blessed. The younger son replaces the older son, a repeating theme in Genesis. Abraham says a final goodbye to his son (21.14; 25.9); a personal heartache repeated with Isaac (22).
Driven away, the Egyptian slave of Sarah and her son wander, much like Isaac’s descendants will 400 years later out of Egyptian slavery. Cast off, the bread and water in this wilderness don’t last long (21.14). Despairingly, mother leaves sons under bush to die, unable to watch, crying (21.15-16). Life repeats itself and Hagar finds herself being found by God (21.16). Apparently the child is crying too, “God heard the voice of the boy” (21.17), which is the very meaning of Ishmael, “God hears.” Did Ishmael cry out to His covenant God (17.23)? Did the teenager cry out for his mother who couldn’t bear the pain? Were the sounds of his voice just uncontrollable despair?
Through Angels, this “prayer” of a child is answered. Once again God promises great things for Ishmael (31.13,18). Once again Hagar “sees” (16.13-1421.19). Once again God refreshes her and Ishmael with the water of life. There is a strange phenomenon within this chapter. Never is Ishmael’s name mention once, let alone repeated.
Prayer Challenge: As is the repeating pattern of life, we all have to say good-bye and relive our own mistakes. Let’s make sure our children know God, and don’t repeat our sins, so that they too can inherit His blessings; making our good-byes easier and preparing us all to say hello again in eternity.
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