Two Sons

Imagine you’re Abraham. You’ve seen all your friends and family members having children but you’ve given up having any of your own. Then God promises you that you are going to have a son. Sure enough when you turn 86 years old God gives you a son named Ishmael. In the Bible names mean things and Ishmael’s name means “God hears”.

Then when you turn 100 years old God gives you a son from your 90 year old wife Sarah. His name is Isaac which means “laughter” because both Abraham and Sarah laughed when God promised them a son.

When Ishmael turns 14 years old and Isaac turns 3 years old, God tells Abraham he must turn Ishmael and his mother out. Abraham was “greatly distressed” at having to lose his oldest son… greatly distressed. After all this was his son! He rejoiced at his birth and rejoiced at being a Dad (and all that means) and now he had to say goodbye to him. I imagine part of his hurt was seeing how Ishmael was hurt.

I don’t guess that Abraham could predict that when his second son Isaac turned a similar age that God would ask him to kill and sacrifice him but that’s exactly what God did. Of course Abraham was a little prepared for that command. After all, God had already had him cut Ishmael loose but had assured Abraham that Ishmael would be all right and would father a great nation. So when it came time to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac… Abraham dutifully complied knowing somehow, some way, God would make everything all right. In fact, the author of Hebrews adds this… “Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead (Isaac).”

Abraham had two sons who he loved with all his heart, “God Hears” and “Laughter”, and was asked to give them up.

God also asks us to make some sacrifices. Don’t make the mistake of comparing whatever we have to sacrifice with the sacrifice Abraham had to make because it doesn’t compare. Just remember… do whatever God asks and God will take care of you and maybe, just maybe shower you with great blessings like he did for Abraham.