On a feast day, a day of celebrating that, after decades of barrenness, she has a son, Sarah looks around and sees Hagar's son. She demands of her husband, "Get rid of him. Get rid of his mother." Sarah is hard to like or defend at this point but not so hard to understand. Her son is her protection against the fears of her old age. Why shouldn't she worry about his inheritance?
What are we willing to do because of our own fears for our security? Who looks like a threat to our future? Who might expect a share of what seems barely enough for us?
Abraham isn't happy about Sarah's demand, but God assures him that Ishmael will be all right. What do we think would have been a better response by God to Abraham?
Would Ishmael have been better off left in Sarah's home? Would Sarah have grown more generous to Hagar as time went on?
Think about modern day examples of Ishmaels, unwanted children, children who have lost the protection of those controlling the resources. What part does God expect us to play in caring for these children?
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