Topical Bible: Citizens: Wicked: Ishmael

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Ishmael, the son of Abraham and Hagar, is a significant figure in biblical history, often associated with themes of conflict and disobedience. His account is primarily found in the Book of Genesis, where he is depicted as a complex character whose actions and descendants have lasting implications.

Birth and Early Life

Ishmael was born to Abraham and Hagar, Sarah's Egyptian maidservant, as a result of Sarah's impatience with God's promise of a son. In Genesis 16:11-12 , the angel of the LORD prophesies about Ishmael: "You are now pregnant and will give birth to a son. You shall name him Ishmael, for the LORD has heard your affliction. He will be a wild donkey of a man, his hand will be against everyone, and everyone's hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers."

Character and Actions

Ishmael's character is marked by conflict and rebellion, as foretold by the angel. His behavior is first noted in Genesis 21:9 , where Sarah observes Ishmael mocking Isaac, the son of promise. This act of mockery is significant, as it leads to Hagar and Ishmael being sent away from Abraham's household. The Apostle Paul later references this event in Galatians 4:29 , drawing a parallel between Ishmael's persecution of Isaac and the persecution faced by those born of the Spirit.

Legacy and Descendants

Ishmael's legacy is one of division and enmity, as his descendants become a source of conflict for the Israelites. Genesis 25:18 states, "His descendants settled in the area from Havilah to Shur, near the eastern border of Egypt, as you go toward Asshur. And they lived in hostility toward all their brothers." This perpetual hostility fulfills the prophecy given before his birth and underscores the ongoing tension between Ishmael's lineage and the chosen line of Isaac.

Spiritual Implications

From a spiritual perspective, Ishmael represents the works of the flesh and human attempts to fulfill God's promises through self-effort. His life serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of stepping outside of God's will and the enduring impact of such actions on future generations. The narrative of Ishmael highlights the importance of faith and obedience to God's timing and plan, contrasting with the fulfillment of God's promise through Isaac, the child of promise.

In summary, Ishmael's life and legacy are characterized by conflict, rebellion, and the consequences of human impatience. His account serves as a reminder of the importance of trusting in God's promises and the dangers of taking matters into one's own hands.

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Jeremiah 40:14-16
And said to him, Do you certainly know that Baalis the king of the Ammonites has sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to slay you? But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam believed them not.
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Jeremiah 41:1
Now it came to pass in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah the son of Elishama, of the seed royal, and the princes of the king, even ten men with him, came to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and there they did eat bread together in Mizpah.
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Library

Mormonites, or the Church of the Latter-Day Saints.
... of our intelligent, noble, and patriotic citizens to obey ... Lemuel, and the sons of
Ishmael, rebelled against ... a powerful nation, but extremely wicked; and their ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/mormonites or the church of.htm

The Antiquities of the Jews
... As Also What He Did For The Punishment Of The Wicked. ... Slain By Ishmael; And How Johanan
After Ishmael Was Driven ... Of The Jews And Made Them Citizens Of Those ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

On the Great Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria.
... For she, like Ishmael, [3277] fainting from her thirst ... of godliness, this precursor
of the wicked one, such ... the most illustrious of private citizens, not one ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxi on the great.htm

On the Baptism of Christ.
... once three men, who were notable men and citizens in the ... time, Isaac"the same for
whose sake Ishmael was driven ... of ill-omened name, as the wicked partner of ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/on the baptism of christ.htm

Palestine under Pagan Kings.
... is recorded the marriage of Ishmael to an ... years before Christ, while that wicked
Manassah was ... in previous conquests, and were useful, respectable citizens. ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/palestine under pagan kings.htm

John the Baptist's Person and Preaching.
... its name from Jetur, son of Ishmael (Genesis 25 ... all Jews would, therefore, be by
birthright citizens of his ... of hell, and doth not permit any wicked Israelite to ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xvii john the baptists person.htm

The City of God. Index of Subjects.
... the earthly, [362]285; the weakness of the citizens of, during ... and if so, can it
burn wicked spirits ... Isaac, and Ishmael, [886]285; a type, [887]286; the birth of ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books /the city of god index.htm

Faustus Denies that the Prophets Predicted Christ. Augustin Proves ...
... are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the ... say with the Psalmist;
"O Lord, the wicked have spoken ... 463] For if two men, Ishmael and Isaac ...
/.../faustus denies that the prophets.htm

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
... morality of the Puritans, Nonconformists, and the small classes of virtuous citizens
of other ... The gradations of a wicked man in that evil age, from his cradle ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... to the good government of its rulers and the industry of its citizens, had amassed ...
and the fishes of the sea, and the stumbling-blocks with the wicked; and I ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm