Genesis Lesson 40: The Fruit of Impatience {The Conception of Ishmael}

Genesis 16:1-16 This is the sad account of the conception of Ishmael, and how Abraham wrongly heeded the suggestion of his wife to conceive an heir through her Egyptian handmade Hagar. In our discussion of this event, we look at: (1) The Scheme Proposed, (2) The Scheme's Problems (Hagar's pride, Sarah's anger, and Abraham's lack of leadership), and (3) the Servant Pursued (Hagar's wilderness encounter with the pre-incarnate Christ). This is an important lesson about waiting on God and not taking matters into our own hands, "in the flesh". This serious mistake committed by Abraham has consequences that still disrupt the peace of our world today in the on-going animosity between the sons of Ishmael and the sons of Isaac.