One day, Sarah noticed Hagar’s son Ishmael playing, and she said to Abraham, “Get rid of that Egyptian slave woman and her son!
I don’t want him to inherit anything. It should all go to my son.” Abraham was worried about Ishmael.
But God said, “Abraham, don’t worry about your slave woman and the boy. Just do what Sarah tells you. Isaac will inherit your family name, but the son of the slave woman is also your son, and I will make his descendants into a great nation.”
Genesis 21 : 9 – 13 (Contemporary English Version)
“Let us not overlook the manner in which this family matter instructs us not to rest in outward privileges, or in our own doings.
And let us seek the blessings of the new covenant by faith in its Divine Surety. Ishmael’s conduct was persecution, being done in profane contempt of the covenant and promise, and with malice against Isaac. God takes notice of what children say and do in their play; and will reckon with them, if they say or do amiss, though their parents do not.
Mocking is a great sin, and very provoking to God.
And the children of promise must expect to be mocked. Abraham was grieved that Ishmael should misbehave, and Sarah demand so severe a punishment.
But God showed him that Isaac must be the father of the promised Seed; therefore, send Ishmael away, lest he corrupt the manners, or try to take the rights of Isaac.
The covenant seed of Abraham must be a people by themselves, not mingled with those who were out of covenant: Sarah little thought of this; but God turned aright what she said.”#
# Taken From Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary.
