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We have now reached the point from within this account to where Isaac had grown to be older and now it was time for him to be weaned from the nursing of his mother. Now the Scriptures doesn't mention at what age Isaac was at this particular stage of his life? But there are some different viewpoints when it comes to the actual age that Isaac was when all of this had taken place. Some seem to think that he was three years old and others say he was five? But as for me, if the Scriptures doesn't take the time to discuss it... then honestly, why should I? But what is of importance is the next string of events that immediately takes place after the Scriptures mentioning of it. It's at this time from within the account, we are told about the great feast of joy that Abraham had held for his son Isaac, in honor of this weaning event. And it was during this event, that Sarah had saw Ishmael mocking his little half brother Isaac. After Sarah had witness this disrespectful behavior from Ishmael, she became highly upset and was quick to tell Abraham about how she felt: "Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac." Now Sarah's reaction to Ishmael behavior towards his younger half brother Isaac, I find to be very interesting? For this is what kids do...right? Now, the Scriptures doesn't go in great detail on why Sarah became so easily enrage. But if we went by the history of the problems that Sarah and Hagar had with each other, we could perhaps, come up with a reason to why Sarah acted the way that she did? First, I would like to point out; that Hagar was one of the many gifts that Pharaoh had given Abraham after the Egyptian ruler had taken Sarah and tried to make her to be his wife. (Genesis 12:10-20) Next we learn, that Sarah had become very impatient with waiting on the Lord to bless her with a child of her own. So she came up with a plan for Abraham to marry Hagar her Egyptian maidservant, so that she could build a family through her. Now this obviously wasn't God's plan? This was showing just how desperate Sarah had become when it came to having a child, that she decided to take matters into her own hands. The results of this plan, would indeed bring Abraham his first born son through Hagar. (Genesis 16:3-4) Soon after, Hagar would become very prideful of the fact that she was able to get pregnant by Abraham, and be in a position to provide him with is first born child. Because of this, she constantly treated Sarah with disrespect and teased her when it came to her condition of barrenness. (Genesis 16:5) In the meantime, Sarah would get permission from Abraham, when it came to her returning the same kind of treatment back towards Hagar? With Abraham's permission, Sarah began treating Hagar with great disrespect; and this treatment towards Hagar was so harsh... that the Egyptian maidservant would flee Abraham's household while she was still pregnant with his child. (Genesis 16:6) Because of this, Hagar would receive a divine visitation from the Lord. After the angel had reassured Hagar while she laid resting at a fresh water spring near a road that lead to -- The Wilderness of Shur. She would agree to return back to Abraham's house; and soon after, she gave birth to Abraham's first born son -- Ishmael. (Genesis 16:7-15) Now I went through that short history recap so that you could have an idea of why so many (including myself) believe this viewpoint that I'm about to share with you? The reason why Sarah had became upset so easily, is because she believed that it was Hagar who was instigating and encouraging her son Ishmael to mock his younger half brother Isaac. Even though Sarah had finally had a child to call her own, I believe that the competition between the two women although subtle, never really ceased. Which led to Sarah pulling rank on Hagar. But this time, Sarah wouldn't wait for Hagar to leave on her own, she would pressure her husband Abraham, to take action immediately and force Hagar and her son to leave. Because of this intense pressure that was being put on him, Abraham had become very distressed about the situation, for he loved Ishmael very much. After seeing how uneasy Abraham had become, God would come and visit Abraham in order to give him some reassurance when it came to the future of his son Ishmael. "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. I will make the son of the maidservant into a nation also, because he is your offspring." After Abraham had received this reassurance and consent from the Almighty, he would come to the conclusion, that perhaps, Sarah had a right to request the type of action that she was seeking from him. For if Hagar and her son Ishmael had acted well; and were respectful towards Sarah and Isaac... I just can't see God allowing them to be thrown out into the wilderness. So acting on the instructions of his wife and the confirmation from the Lord, we find that early the next morning, Abraham took some food and water and gave the items to Hagar. Abraham would place the food and water on her shoulders and then sent her and his son Ishmael out into the wilderness. Start at the Beginning: The Introduction of Abraham 16) Abimelech Angry with Abraham 18) <-CURRENT PAGE-> 19) Hagar the Mother of a Great Nation 20) Abraham & The Well of Oath 21) Abraham & The Great Sacrifice 25) Rebekah gets Permission to Leave 28) The Twelve Rulers of Ishmael  CrossDaily.com Web Search where you can VOTE FOR THIS SITE & other great ones. Christian search engine, directory & voting index. You'll find Bible, chat, churches, jobs, music, reviews, software, theology, & more. See the best sites!
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