OCTOBER 24, Genesis 21:8-10

Before Isaac was born, Ishmael was the only child. For 14 years, he had the full attention of father. Both father and son spent a lot of time together. Abraham must have related to him all the adventures he had and taught him many things about God. It was no doubt that Abraham loved Ishmael very much. Ishmael loved his home and he had never imagined that one day he was forced out of home. That day was soon coming….

Trouble brewed on the day Isaac weaned. On that day of celebrations, instead of a happy occasion, an unhappy one took place. Ishmael was jealous of Isaac – he would not be the only son. At this important event, he mocked Isaac. To mock is to ridicule or make fun of. Instead of loving his younger brother, Ishmael was jealous and hated Isaac.

Sarah could see how jealous Ishmael was. She must do something about it because Ishmael may plot to do something evil to his half-brother. Sarah asked Abraham to “cast out” Ishmael and his mother, Hagar. They must be sent away from home. She did not want a wicked boy growing up with and potentially harming her son.

Was it a nice thing for Sarah to do – asking her husband to cast Hagar & Ishmael away? No. The wonder about the bible is that it gives the account as it is – without sugar-coating or saying nice things that are not true. While it is natural for Sarah to want to protect her son, it was not right to cast Hagar and her son away. Jealousy–that was in Ishmael’s wicked heart, and that caused other problems in his life. He brought disaster upon himself and his poor mother.

Are you jealous? Do you want mum and dad to love you more than your siblings? Do you secretly wish your family has more money, or can go for holidays every year? And if your family does go for holidays, are you jealous of other families that go to exotic places for holidays? And then when your own family goes to exotic places for holidays, do you wish your family can go to even more fun destinations. You see dear child, to a jealous person, nothing will satisfy him or her. As Christians, we seek satisfaction and joy in the things God gives us. Be contented; be grateful; do not be jealous.

Thought: Am I a jealous child?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, remind me that I should not feel jealous when friends have things that I don’t have or can do things better than me. Help me get rid of jealousy. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.