The story of Ishmael is one of the tragedies of the Bible and how Hagar was treated is a “text of terror.” Ishmael was born at the behest of Sarah and then is expelled from the family because she demanded it. The Bible tells us why: she didn’t want to share. She was guilty of what economists call “zero sum thinking” — that more for you means less for me. This seems to characterize our age as well where everyone jealously guards their little nest. But God is a God of abundance and not scarcity so Ishmael could be blessed as well s the child of the promise, Isaac. “I will make of him a great nation.” The Arab people claim him as their ancestor. Mohammed could thus name the followers of Islam as children of Abraham. All of which says — can we find a way to seek what unites us, what brings us together, instead of fearing that what I have or who I am in some way dimishes you.
JULY52023
By Church Staff
