Page 34 - Pure Life 39

Analysing Abraham’s Sacrifice in Genesis 22… A. M. Jacob (9
consoles him and tells him that since
Ishmael is his seed, God will make a
great nation out of him (Genesis 21: 13).
A promise similar to that of
Abraham is made to Hagar when she is
alone in the wilderness searching for
water for her thirsty child, the Angel of
God allays her fears and assures her
that God has heard the boy cry and he
will make him into a great nation
(Genesis 21:17-18). Also, we read that
Abraham is commanded to circumcise
himself and all the male members of
his household after the birth of
Ishmael, his firstborn (Genesis 17: 12).
After this, he gets the name Abraham
(from Abram) meaning the father of
nations (Genesis 17: 5), and he is
promised of a bountiful progeny.
Interestingly, this event takes place ten
years before the birth of Isaac. Therefore,
to make Isaac look better than Ishmael is
a great disservice to the Holy Bible.
Moreover, let us analyze the phrase
‘Whom you love’ to describe
Abraham’s son taken up for sacrifice.
Firstly, the use of the phrase ‘Whom
you love,’ is not a random remark but
rather an important distinguishing
factor for the son in question. Thus, we
cannot overlook this phrase while
analyzing Genesis 22.
Abraham’s affection for Ishmael is
evident throughout the narrative, even
when he learns of Isaac’s impending birth.
Despite his laughter at the news of Isaac
(Genesis 17: 17), Abraham’s immediate
concern is for Ishmael (Genesis 17: 18),
highlighting his love for his firstborn.
Thomas Nelson observes, “Abraham’s
plea shows his love for his son Ishmael”
(Nelson, 2018, p. 31).
Abraham’s love for Ishmael is
evident when Sarah requests Abraham
to expel Ishmael and his mother
(Genesis 21:10-11). Pfeiffer and
Harrison note, “This was very painful
for he loves his son Ishmael” (Pfeiffer
and Harrison, 1962, p. 56).
Charles Ward Smith observes,
“Casting out of Ishmael was grievous
in the sight of Abraham and he was
‘torn’ and ‘really hurt’ for he loved
Ishmael” (Jackson, 2006), Marcus
Dods asserts that Ishmael was
Abraham’s firstborn and the apple of
his eyes for many years thereby
occupying all his attention, also, he
loved his son Ishmael very much and
this attachment of Abraham had
become a source of insecurity for
Sarah (Dods, 1891, p. 5).
Daniel Denison Whedon says, “The
boy of thirteen has won a deep place in
his father’s heart, and notwithstanding
the promise of a son by Sarah, he yearns
to see Ishmael blessed by God” (Whedon,
1889, Vol.1, p. 199).
Albert Barnes observes, “This was
painful to Abraham” (Barnes, 1962,
p.319). John Gill observes that
Abraham’s petition -that Ishmael might
live under God’s commandments shows