[/quote]Now, depending on one's interpretation of how much God was revealing to Abraham about Ishmael's faith-condition, or eternal destiny, in Gen 17, God may have been telling him that Ishmael wasn't among the elect at all, but God was clearly telling Abraham Ishmael was neither the Elect (Christ) or his forebear). It is in this detail that God declares Isaac is the elect son, the one by whom the line of Messiah will be propagated.

Regardless, Ishmael was a party to the worldly administration of Abraham's covenant. "In that respect" he was in the covenant. He had a duty to find himself in the "tents of Isaac," and not chasing his own glory and ends. If he had, then he would have given us much more hope of his election in the one (Isaac) or One (Christ) with whom the covenant was made.[/QUOTE]

It sure was gracious of God to bless Ishmael the way he did! Esp. if in fact Ishmael was not forgiven of his sins...what do you think about that?
The idea of God being so gracious to those who are in covenant with him, but are not forgiven. Does this have anything to say about hypocrites in the church (entire question here based the surmise that Ishmael was unforgiven).

__________________
sincerely,
mark
member 1st Christian Reformed Church (don't freak out on me, now)
Grand Haven, MI
www.vanallsblog.blogspot.com
Question: How do you know which eye of John Murray's was the glass eye?
Answer: It was the one with the most compassion.