8The child grew and was weaned, and on the day Isaac was weaned Abraham held a great feast. 9But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking, 10and she said to Abraham, “Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac.”...17God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. 18Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.” 19Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.
(Genesis 21:8-10, 17-19)
Thoughts: Ishmael was being inhospitable toward Isaac so Sarah became inhospitable toward Ishmael and his mother Hagar. It is a sad scar on the face of the family of faith that Sarah let the inhospitable mocking of a young boy get under her skin. But then to send them off into the desert to die is an extra evil.
There are times when we will all be tempted to be mean or inhospitable toward others. There are other ways out of such temptations. We should always look around for a way of grace toward those who have done wrong if we can. The animosity between the descendants of Ishmael and Isaac continue to this day- with little grace and lots of remembering of sin toward each other.
The good news is that God made up for the inhospitable actions of Sarah. He promised hope to Ishmael and Hagar, and gave them water to survive. When people treat us with meanness or inhospitality- we rely on God to help us. So the cross came to Jesus- but the resurrection tells us who wins in the end.
Prayer: Lord, when I am tempted to be mean toward another- let me remember the grace you show to me.
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