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Jerusalem Blade · #8 (**permalink**) 11-22-2007, 08:20 AM

Hello Nicholas,

Well, even the OT saints noted in Hebrews 11 “received not the promise” (verse 39). The “promise” was Christ; the genealogical line through which the promise would come was from Abraham through Isaac, Jacob, etc. Yet it is written that “they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham” (Galatians 3:7), and it cannot be shown that Ishmael was not of faith. Paul himself persecuted the people of God, yet his heart was changed by the grace of God. I do not think the data shows that Ishmael’s mocking of the infant Isaac eliminated him from receiving the grace of God.

I believe the phrase “God was with…” is used only four other times in the Bible, besides its being written of Ishmael, “And God was with the lad…” Cf. 2 Chron 1:1 (of Solomon); 15:9 (of Asa); Acts 7:9 (of Joseph); and 10:38 (of Jesus).

The phrase “the LORD was with…” is used 17 times, in Genesis 26:28 (of Isaac); 39:2, 3, 21, 23 (of Joseph); Joshua 6:27 (of Joshua); Judges 1:19 (of Judah as a tribe); 22 (of “the house of Joseph); 2:18 (of the judges the LORD raised up); 1 Samuel 3:19 (of Samuel); 18:12, 14, 28 (of David); 1 Chron 9:20 (of Phinehas); 2 Chron 17:3 (of Jehoshaphat); Luke 1:66 (of John the Baptizer); Acts 11:21 (of the saints scattered after the death of Stephen, preaching in Antioch).

In every instance this term, whether with “God” or “LORD” or “Lord”, indicated that the Almighty was with them as their God and Savior. It is notable this very phrase was used of Ishmael.

Concerning Cain, the opposite was said of him: Cain said concerning God, “from Thy face shall I be hid” (Genesis 4:14); “And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD” (4:16).

I believe Ishmael – which name was given him of God, and means “God shall hear” – found favor with the God of His father, Abraham.

In Galatians Paul is speaking allegorically and symbolically, and yes, he uses Hagar and Ishmael as types of the flesh, which they were as concerns the Messianic line, and of Ishmael's mocking, which he did; yet this does not warrant terming him personally a reprobate. As a type, he was cast in a negative role; as an individual the Scripture appears to show him in a more favorable light.