Tragedy of the Middle East

Readings: Genesis 21:8-21

Tragedy of the Middle East here refers to events that happened in Abraham's family ± 4000 years ago in the Middle East. Unfortunately, a tragedy that continues until today.

What actually happened in Genesis 21:8-21 was motivated by the birth of Isaac, who preached in Genesis 21:1-7. Isaac's birth is a great joy for Abraham and his wife Sarah, for God's promise to them (Genesis 15:4-5) have been fulfilled. However, the initial excitement of Abraham and Sarah also means the beginning of grief for Hagar and her son Ishmael.

It is said that Sarah saw Ishmael playing with Isaac (Genesis 21:9). Then Sarah said to Abraham: "Get Rid of That the slave woman and her son, for that slave woman's son will of never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac." (Genesis 21:10, NIV) Looks like Sara's overprotective of Isaac, and perhaps also a spiteful.

Abraham who heard the words that just annoyed at the request of Sarah to expel Hagar and Ishmael. For Abraham, Ishmael was also his biological child. Divine intervention occurs, God said to Abraham, “Do not be so distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.”(Genesis 21:12, NIV). It turns out God is Sarah, so our bad thoughts on Sarah must be immediately removed. Then why did God take sides Sarah and ordered Abraham to obey Sarah's request?

A key issue here is the word מצחק mitsacheq which can be translated into multiple meanings. Text from Complete Jewish Bible mention "Sarah saw Yishma'El making fun of Yitz'chak, New International Version text called “Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking,”

The Apostle Paul describes the treatment of Ishmael against Isaac in Genesis 21:9 mitsacheq this by understanding the word is synonymous with the Greek word: εδιωκεν ediooken which means persecuting (Gal 4:29). My opinion, this mitsacheq words may be taken to mean that Ishmael was playing with Isaac, but the game leads to the element of "persecution".

And then tersebutlah promise of God, “because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned” (Genesis 21:12, NIV). Hagar and Ishmael were expelled from Abraham's tent. As a father, Abraham, of course experienced a deep sadness, a feeling that the fair experienced by fathers who have lost all or part with her own child, let alone his own son who had to drive it out of his house.

During this time, we see that the child is sacrificed to the God of Abraham was Isaac, through the events 'aqedah Yitshaq (binding of Isaac) in Qubatush Shakrah (Dome of the Rock) on Mount Moriah; ritual' aqedah Yitshaq also still held every Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah) on a month Tishri. We forget that before Abraham was to sacrifice Ishmael in Beer-Sheba desert because of the love and obedience of Abraham to God. Ishmael even really be a sacrifice, because he really leave his father and must grow up without a father's presence. But God kept His promise to Abraham, God guard Ishmael, God became Father of Ishmael in the wilderness, God made Ishmael and his descendants a great nation today is the Arab nation.

The next event, when Ishmael (or in many translations: Hagar) "crying with a loud voice" (Genesis 21:16), then what happens then “God heard the boy crying (Ibrani: וישׁמע אלהים wa yishma Elohim)” Ishmael sadness will always be heard by God, as his name: ישׁמעאל yishmâ‛ê'l, which means: God will hear.

READING LIST

- Abraham Mittch and Zhawa Glaser, The Fall Feast of Israel (Chicago: Moody Press, 1987),
- David Stern, Complete Jewish Bible (Maryland-USA, Jerusalem, Israel: Jewish New Testament Publications, 1998)
- Gordon D. Newby, A History of the Jews in Arabia (Columbia: University of South Carolina Press, 1988)

Note: With deep regret for what happened in the vessels Mavi Marmara. There is should be no blood, which is poured out, in the Holy Land.