Abraham and Isaac and the Sacrifice On Mount Moriah Part 1, The Accuser of the Brethren, The Assignment of Angels

In this account of Abraham sacrificing Isaac there are some very interesting details that surface in our historical writings that coincide with many biblical passages we tend to overlook.  Here we can see a very full picture of what took place before during and after that incident when we put all the records together.  This story is marvelous as it tells us so many interesting things about the character of Abraham and Isaac.  It also shows us the accuser in action. 

Gen 22:1-12 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

We see Abraham obeying Elohim, not questioning or doubting his voice. Jasher precedes this command by God with a little insight to Ishmael and Isaac.

Jasher 22:40And Isaac the son of Abraham was growing up in those days, and Abraham his father taught him the way of the Lord to know the Lord, and the Lord was with him.41And when Isaac was thirty-seven years old, Ishmael his brother was going about with him in the tent.42And Ishmael boasted of himself to Isaac, saying, I was thirteen years old when the Lord spoke to my father to circumcise us, and I did according to the word of the Lord which he spoke to my father, and I gave my soul unto the Lord, and I did not transgress his word which he commanded my father.43And Isaac answered Ishmael, saying, Why dost thou boast to me about this, about a little bit of thy flesh which thou didst take from thy body, concerning which the Lord commanded thee?44As the Lord liveth, the God of my father Abraham, if the Lord should say unto my father, Take now thy son Isaac and bring him up an offering before me, I would not refrain but I would joyfully accede to it.45And the Lord heard the word that Isaac spoke to Ishmael, and it seemed good in the sight of the Lord, and he thought to try Abraham in this matter.

First point here is if you verbalize something do not be surprised when it comes to pass.  Secondly remember God hears everything but so does the devil, who is ready to accuse. Thirdly, one up-man-ship doesn’t really work out to our advantage.

Jasher 22:46 And the day arrived when the sons of God came and placed themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with the sons of God before the Lord.47And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? and Satan answered the Lord and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.48And the Lord said to Satan, What is thy word to me concerning all the children of the earth? and Satan answered the Lord and said, I have seen all the children of the earth who serve thee and remember thee when they require anything from thee.49And when thou givest them the thing which they require from thee, they sit at their ease, and forsake thee and they remember thee no more.50Hast thou seen Abraham the son of Terah, who at first had no children, and he served thee and erected altars to thee wherever he came, and he brought up offerings upon them, and he proclaimed thy name continually to all the children of the earth.51And now that his son Isaac is born to him, he has forsaken thee, he has made a great feast for all the inhabitants of the land, and the Lord he has forgotten.52For amidst all that he has done he brought thee no offering; neither burnt offering nor peace offering, neither ox, lamb nor goat of all that he killed on the day that his son was weaned.53Even from the time of his son's birth till now, being thirty-seven years, he built no altar before thee, nor brought any offering to thee, for he saw that thou didst give what he requested before thee, and he therefore forsook thee.54And the Lord said to Satan, Hast thou thus considered my servant Abraham? for there is none like him upon earth, a perfect and an upright man before me, one that feareth God and avoideth evil; as I live, were I to say unto him, Bring up Isaac thy son before me, he would not withhold him from me, much more if I told him to bring up a burnt offering before me from his flock or herds.55And Satan answered the Lord and said, Speak then now unto Abraham as thou hast said, and thou wilt see whether he will not this day transgress and cast aside thy words.

Jasher 23:1At that time the word of the Lord came to Abraham, and he said unto him, Abraham, and he said, Here I am.2And he said to him, Take now thy son, thine only son whom thou lovest, even Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which shall be shown to thee, for there wilt thou see a cloud and the glory of the Lord.

I think Satan’s testimony of Abraham is very interesting, and while he’s using it as an accusation in the end, the facts are the true. Abraham witnessed to all the inhabitants of the earth, served God, and he erected altars to God.  Now lets look at the account in Jubilees.

Jubilees 17:15. And it came to pass in the seventh week, in the first year thereof, in the first month in this jubilee, on the twelfth of this month, there were voices in heaven regarding Abraham, that he was faithful in all that He told him, and that he loved the Lord, and that in every affliction he was faithful. 16. And the prince Mastêmâ came and said before God, "Behold, Abraham loveth Isaac his son, and he delighteth in him above all things else; bid him offer him as a burnt-offering on the altar, and Thou wilt see if he will do this command, and Thou wilt know if he is faithful in everything wherein Thou dost try him." 17. And the Lord knew that Abraham was faithful in all his afflictions; for He had tried him through his country and with famine, and had tried him with the wealth of kings, and had tried him again through his wife, when she was torn (from him), and with circumcision, and had tried him through Ishmael and Hagar, his maid-servant, when he sent them away.18. And in everything wherein He had tried him, he was found faithful, and his soul was not impatient, and he was not slow to act; for he was faithful and a lover of the Lord.

Jubilees18:1 And God said to him, "Abraham, Abraham"; and he said, "Behold, (here) am I."  And He said, "Take thy beloved son whom thou lovest, (even) Isaac, and go unto the high country,  and offer him on one of the mountains which I will point out unto thee."

References as in Jasher and Jubilees exist in Job where the Son’s of God (ben elohiym) come before Yahweh presenting themselves. We don’t exactly know why the sons of God do this but they do.  Some definitions describe this as responding and possibly stationing themselves above and around Yahweh. Telling, is Yahweh’s question to satan “What is thy word to me concerning all the children of the earth?” Yahweh is asking for a report from satan, and possibly the other sons of God as there were voices in heaven regarding Abraham. Satan gives an account of Abraham’s actions for the last 50 years. That is a long time to have to remember someone else’s actions when most of us can’t even remember what we ate for breakfast this morning. Satan brings up how Abraham worshipped and served until Isaac was born and weaned, and since that time, about 30 years, he hasn’t worshipped and built any altars to God.  Really? The guy is over 100 years old.  I find that Yahweh’s defense of Abraham is that he is perfect, upright, fears God and avoids evil, which is something we should take special note of.  Abraham’s walk, as a Melchizedek Priest, is perfect, upright, fearing God and avoiding evil.  That is our call as well. Job’s situation is one we don’t talk much about because we don’t understand why trouble comes upon the righteous.  Job’s account of this even as standing alone seems confusing, but with corresponding text from Jasher, it seems easier to understand. Obviously God wanted us to know about it otherwise it would not be written in the book of Job. Here we see Yahweh’s defense of Job as perfect, upright, fearing God and avoiding evil. 

Job 1:5-12 And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.7 And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.8 And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?9 Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.12 And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.KJV

Job 2:1-7 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the Lord.2 And the Lord said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.3 And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.4 And Satan answered the Lord, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.5 But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.6 And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.7 So went Satan forth from the presence of the Lord, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.KJV

We see again that the sons of God come before Yahweh a second time and again satan shows up to accuse Job.  This must be regular meetings between Yahweh and the angels and messengers of God. From the book of Enoch we have an interesting account of some of the responsibilities of the sons of God. These four angels have been given responsibilities over mankind.

Enoch 40:1. And after that I saw thousands of thousands and ten thousand times ten thousand, I saw a multitude beyond number and reckoning, who stood before the Lord of Spirits. 2. And on the four sides of the Lord of Spirits I saw four presences, different from those that sleep not, and I learnt their names: for the angel that went with me made known to me their names, and showed me all the hidden things.3. And I heard the voices of those four presences as they uttered praises before the Lord of glory. 4. The first voice blesses the Lord of Spirits for ever and ever. 5. And the second voice I heard blessing the Elect One and the elect ones who hang upon the Lord of Spirits. 6. And the third voice I heard pray and intercede for those who dwell on the earth and supplicate in the name of the Lord of Spirits. 7. And I heard the fourth voice fending off the Satans and forbidding them to come before the Lord of Spirits to accuse them who dwell on the earth. 8. After that I asked the angel of peace who went with me, who showed me everything that is hidden: 'Who are these four presences which I have seen and whose words I have heard and written down?' 9. And he said to me: 'This first is Michael, the merciful and long-suffering: and the second, who is set over all the diseases and all the wounds of the children of men, is Raphael: and the third, who is set over all the powers, is Gabriel: and the fourth, who is set over the repentance unto hope of those who inherit eternal life, is named Phanuel.' And these are the four angels of the Lord of Spirits and the four voices I heard in those days.

If these four presences or maybe Angels are given assignments over us then other sons of God have assignments as well.  In the book of Daniel we have the account of Daniel being visited by one of the sons of God and that messenger needed the help of Michael as they were battling the Prince of Persia. 

Dan 10:1-9 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.2 In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.4 And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;5 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:6 His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.7 And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.8 Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.9 Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.KJV

Some speculate this would be the angel Gabriel who was talking to Daniel, however prior to this incident, Daniel was visited by Gabriel twice and identifies him both times. Yet Daniel does not identify him in this battle as being the one who needed Michael’s help.  I would think the strength of one Archangel (our terminology not the bible’s) is superior to satan’s strength, however if the one getting the message through was a watcher or messenger, and not an Archangel the watcher may have less power and authority then the Archangels, thereby needing a hand to get Daniels message through.

Dan 8:15-19 And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man.16 And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.17 So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision.18 Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright.19 And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be.KJV

Dan 9:21-22 Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.KJV

 In chapter 20 of Enoch we find another grouping of Angels with their functions, some of which are functions in spiritual places as hell and paradise.  Interestingly we see that Gabriel is one of the holy Angels over the Cherubim.  Lucifer was an anointed Cherub therefore Gabriel has authority over him.  That would seem to make the messenger of Daniel 10, not Gabriel, but a being with lesser authority. 

Enoch 20:1. And these are the names of the holy angels who watch. 2. Uriel, one of the holy angels, who is over the world and over Tartarus. 3. Raphael, one of the holy angels, who is over the spirits of men. 4. Raguel, one of the holy angels who †takes vengeance on† the world of the luminaries. 5. Michael, one of the holy angels, to wit, he that is set over the best part of mankind ⌈⌈and⌉⌉ over chaos. 6. Saraqâêl, one of the holy angels, who is set over the spirits, who sin in the spirit. 7. Gabriel, one of the holy angels, who is over Paradise and the serpents and the Cherubim. 8. Remiel, one of the holy angels, whom God set over those who rise.

Fast forward now to David; we see something interesting. The anger of Yahweh was stirred against David’s actions.

2 Sam 24:1-10 And again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.2 For the king said to Joab the captain of the host, which was with him, Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, and number ye the people, that I may know the number of the people.3 And Joab said unto the king, Now the Lord thy God add unto the people, how many soever they be, an hundredfold, and that the eyes of my lord the king may see it: but why doth my lord the king delight in this thing?4 Notwithstanding the king's word prevailed against Joab, and against the captains of the host……….8 So when they had gone through all the land, they came to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days.9 And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people unto the king: and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew the sword; and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men.10 And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the Lord, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O Lord, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.KJV

Commentators speculate that this was a sin of pride, David being prideful wanted to know how many people he ruled over.  Some also believe that David’s intent was to start a draft in Israel rather than the volunteer army they had. Either idea fits however the Lord did not want Israel numbered at this time, Israel was numbered at other times, but this time Israel was not to be numbered.  Chronicles tells us that it was satan that provoked David to do this.  It seems that satan may have accused David before God and God said OK.  Yet David failed this test, and there had to be a price paid.

1 Chron 21:1-8 And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.2 And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beer-sheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it.3 And Joab answered, The Lord make his people an hundred times so many more as they be: but, my lord the king, are they not all my lord's servants? why then doth my lord require this thing? why will he be a cause of trespass to Israel?.....7 And God was displeased with this thing; therefore he smote Israel.8 And David said unto God, I have sinned greatly, because I have done this thing: but now, I beseech thee, do away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.KJV

Since there had to be atonement for David’s sin, God gave David a choice of three punishments. 

1 Chron 21:9-20 And the Lord spake unto Gad, David's seer, saying,10 Go and tell David, saying, Thus saith the Lord, I offer thee three things: choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee.11 So Gad came to David, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Choose thee12 Either three years' famine; or three months to be destroyed before thy foes, while that the sword of thine enemies overtaketh thee; or else three days the sword of the Lord, even the pestilence, in the land, and the angel of the Lord destroying throughout all the coasts of Israel. Now therefore advise thyself what word I shall bring again to him that sent me.13 And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let me fall now into the hand of the Lord; for very great are his mercies: but let me not fall into the hand of man.14 So the Lord sent pestilence upon Israel: and there fell of Israel seventy thousand men.

There were people that paid the price of David’s sin. Those people were not wrong or more wicked than anyone else, but there had to be a payment, similar to martyrdom. There needed to be shedding of innocent blood. Here we see Yahweh sending a messenger to carry out the punishment. I wonder how many times innocent people die for the sins of rulers and leaders.

15 And God sent an angel unto Jerusalem to destroy it: and as he was destroying, the Lord beheld, and he repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed, It is enough, stay now thine hand. And the angel of the Lord stood by the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.16 And David lifted up his eyes, and saw the angel of the Lord stand between the earth and the heaven, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders of Israel, who were clothed in sackcloth, fell upon their faces.17 And David said unto God, Is it not I that commanded the people to be numbered? even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed; but as for these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, O Lord my God, be on me, and on my father's house; but not on thy people, that they should be plagued.18 Then the angel of the Lord commanded Gad to say to David, that David should go up, and set up an altar unto the Lord in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.19 And David went up at the saying of Gad, which he spake in the name of the Lord.20 And Ornan turned back, and saw the angel; and his four sons with him hid themselves. Now Ornan was threshing wheat.KJV

David was heartbroken over the deaths of the Israelites, he was mourning along with the elders. He asks God for his hand to be on him and his father’s house instead of on the people. David was remorseful.  I think it is interesting to explore that the accuser accuses us before God day and night.  He is not resting, he is looking for ways to mess us up and God sometimes allows him to do it.  God sets parameters for satan and he must stay between the boundaries which God gives.

Rev 12:9-10 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.KJV

How will people during that time, the time when satan is cast down to earth overcome them? They will overcome satan by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony, and they are willing martyrs.

Rev 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.KJV

Since it is obvious that satan has not been cast down to earth yet and that he still has access to Yahweh’s ear as he accuses us, we should not be surprised when bad things happen.  Here are some words of encouragement for us today, we suffer being accused before God day and night, and we have to have a plan or a strategy to endure it just like Abraham did.  He totally submitted his ways to God, which is why he did not suffer loss. He developed a personal relationship with God as we have seen, he followed God wherever he was led, made disciples of all the people he lived around, and he trusted God through it all.  As for Job he did suffer loss, yet in Jobs case there may be another reason for his loss as we will explore later.  However in the end Job was restored. 

In the Book the Wisdom of Sirach, aka Ecclesiasticus we read:

Ecclus 2:1-11 My son, if thou come to serve the Lord, prepare thy soul for temptation.2 Set thy heart aright, and constantly endure, and make not haste in time of trouble.3 Cleave unto him, and depart not away, that thou mayest be increased at thy last end.4 Whatsoever is brought upon thee take cheerfully, and be patient when thou art changed to a low estate.5 For gold is tried in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of adversity.6 Believe in him, and he will help thee; order thy way aright, and trust in him.7 Ye that fear the Lord, wait for his mercy; and go not aside, lest ye fall.8 Ye that fear the Lord, believe him; and your reward shall not fail.9 Ye that fear the Lord, hope for good, and for everlasting joy and mercy.10 Look at the generations of old, and see; did ever any trust in the Lord, and was confounded? or did any abide in his fear, and was forsaken? or whom did he ever despise, that called upon him?11 For the Lord is full of compassion and mercy, longsuffering, and very pitiful, and forgiveth sins, and saveth in time of affliction.KJV

It says “believe in him, and he will help thee; order thy way aright, and trust in him.7 Ye that fear the Lord, wait for his mercy; and go not aside, lest ye fall. What was God’s testimony of Abraham and Job?  They were perfect, upright, feared God and avoided evil. These are some good things to think on regarding our personal walk.

1 Cor 10:12-13 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.KJV

Why is temptation common to man? Because the accuser of the brethren accuses us before Yahweh day and night and there are only so many things you can do to a human being.

1 Tim 6:6-11 But godliness with contentment is great gain.7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.KJV

What if satan also accuses nations? What if he has accused nations for national sins and set up a system for us to utterly implode?  What if we face a national crisis because satan accused our nation before God and God said, OK. Timothy tells us that people fall more so when they are rich and lustful but that we should be content with what we have.

James 1:12-15 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.KJV

If we endure we will receive a crown, one of five which are righteousness, glory, incorruptible, rejoicing, and a crown of life.  Why do we go through hard times? It is a trying of our faith, trust, and fear of God.  Yet sometimes we stray and that brings justified accusation. Just like satan said as recorded in Jasher, all the people remember Yahweh when they need something and when Yahweh provides they forget about Him.  Wow, that is a good reality check.  Is God like a vending machine to us? Do we run from evil and submit ourselves to Him? Do we die to self and take up our Cross?

Back to Abraham from Josephus’s perspective.

CONCERNING ISAAC THE LEGITIMATE SON OF ABRAHAM.
Josephus 13:1. Now Abraham greatly loved Isaac, as being his only begotten and given to him at the borders of old age, by the favor of God. The child also endeared himself to his parents still more, by the exercise of every virtue, and adhering to his duty to his parents, and being zealous in the worship of God. Abraham also placed his own happiness in this prospect, that, when he should die, he should leave this his son in a safe and secure condition; which accordingly he obtained by the will of God: who being desirous to make an experiment of Abraham's religious disposition towards himself, appeared to him, and enumerated all the blessings he had bestowed on him; how he had made him superior to his enemies; and that his son Isaac, who was the principal part of his present happiness, was derived from him; and he said that he required this son of his as a sacrifice and holy oblation. Accordingly he commanded him to carry him to the mountain Moriah, and to build an altar, and offer him for a burnt-offering upon it for that this would best manifest his religious disposition towards him, if he preferred what was pleasing to God, before the preservation of his own son.

Josephus notes that God used Abraham like an experiment to see his disposition toward God (who being desirous to make an experiment of Abraham's religious disposition towards himself). Would Abraham do what God wanted or attempt to preserve his son.  Would he negotiate with God for a better deal, or would he question God’s decision.  Abraham had total self abandonment. Abraham did what we should do. And if we live like Abraham then we can be called children of Abraham.

Abraham Visits Ishmael, Our Melchizedek Way, Abraham Spreads Out to Hebron, and Abraham’s Relatives.

We seem to believe that once Ishmael leaves Abraham’s house that he is never heard from or in contact with Abraham again.  But from the historical book of Jasher we see Abraham visiting Ishmael and Ishmael returning to Abraham’s house with his family.  This presents a change in our thinking.  If the children of Abraham through Ishmael lived with Abraham, they would have learned about God.  They may have been like Lot and his family, where they heard about God but then chose to not follow.  If this is where the Muslims believe they have descended we can see that the reason for contention against the children of Isaac is very strong.  However we see that man created a tradition where the oldest son was special and exalted, but God never did that.  The eldest son of Adam was mean and jealous, and became a murder.  Adam’s third son was favored and brought forth the earliest followers of God. Noah’s eldest son Japeth was not exalted by God instead the second son Shem carried the blessings of God on his linage.  Abraham was the third son of Terah. Then Isaac was exalted and later Jacob would be honored, then Joseph, the second to last son in Jacob’s family.  God is not concerned with our traditions and our ways.  Therefore, the eldest son is not prized in God’s eyes, only the one whose heart leans on God is lifted up.  It is that contention that the Muslims still quarrel with today, again, holding to traditions above God’s ways.  This has set them up for great deception as a nation and a religion.  We cannot tell the potter how to make us, we are clay, we should submit to the potter’s plan, not try and create ourselves in our own way. We, as clay, do not have the intelligence to accomplish anything above the master potter.   This issue becomes the root of all falsehood in religion.  We, the clay, decide this is what we think is right and we will do what we think, rather, the true sons and daughters of God allow Him to direct our ways. 

The bible skims this time period between Ishmael leaving and Abraham offering Isaac, but we have a period of 30 years or so.  Jasher fills in the goings on, although not significant to life or death, it is interesting to see that Abraham still lived in the land of the Philistines and he traveled around.  It is also noteworthy that Abraham had a run in with Abimelech’s men, who took a well that Abraham’s servants dug.

Gen 21:22 And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phichol the chief captain of his host spake unto Abraham, saying, God is with thee in all that thou doest:23 Now therefore swear unto me here by God that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son's son: but according to the kindness that I have done unto thee, thou shalt do unto me, and to the land wherein thou hast sojourned.24 And Abraham said, I will swear.25 And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water, which Abimelech's servants had violently taken away.26 And Abimelech said, I wot not who hath done this thing: neither didst thou tell me, neither yet heard I of it, but to day.27 And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech; and both of them made a covenant.28 And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.29 And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves?30 And he said, For these seven ewe lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that they may be a witness unto me, that I have digged this well.31 Wherefore he called that place Beer-sheba; because there they sware both of them.32 Thus they made a covenant at Beer-sheba: then Abimelech rose up, and Phichol the chief captain of his host, and they returned into the land of the Philistines.33 And Abraham planted a grove in Beer-sheba, and called there on the name of the Lord, the everlasting God.34 And Abraham sojourned in the Philistines' land many days.KJV

Jasher starts with Abraham visiting Ishmael.

Jasher 21:17And he and his mother afterward went to the land of Egypt, and they dwelt there, and Hagar took a wife for her son from Egypt, and her name was Meribah.18And the wife of Ishmael conceived and bare four sons and two daughters, and Ishmael and his mother and his wife and children afterward went and returned to the wilderness.19And they made themselves tents in the wilderness, in which they dwelt, and they continued to travel and then to rest monthly and yearly.20And God gave Ishmael flocks and herds and tents on account of Abraham his father, and the man increased in cattle.21And Ishmael dwelt in deserts and in tents, traveling and resting for a long time, and he did not see the face of his father.22And in some time after, Abraham said to Sarah his wife, I will go and see my son Ishmael, for I have a desire to see him, for I have not seen him for a long time.23And Abraham rode upon one of his camels to the wilderness to seek his son Ishmael, for he heard that he was dwelling in a tent in the wilderness with all belonging to him24And Abraham went to the wilderness, and he reached the tent of Ishmael about noon, and he asked after Ishmael, and he found the wife of Ishmael sitting in the tent with her children, and Ishmael her husband and his mother were not with them.25And Abraham asked the wife of Ishmael, saying, Where has Ishmael gone? and she said, He has gone to the field to hunt, and Abraham was still mounted upon the camel, for he would not get off to the ground as he had sworn to his wife Sarah that he would not get off from the camel.26And Abraham said to Ishmael's wife, My daughter, give me a little water that I may drink, for I am fatigued from the journey.27And Ishmael's wife answered and said to Abraham, We have neither water nor bread, and she continued sitting in the tent and did not notice Abraham, neither did she ask him who he was.28But she was beating her children in the tent, and she was cursing them, and she also cursed her husband Ishmael and reproached him, and Abraham heard the words of Ishmael's wife to her children, and he was very angry and displeased.29And Abraham called to the woman to come out to him from the tent, and the woman came and stood opposite to Abraham, for Abraham was still mounted upon the camel.30And Abraham said to Ishmael's wife, When thy husband Ishmael returneth home say these words to him,31A very old man from the land of the Philistines came hither to seek thee, and thus was his appearance and figure; I did not ask him who he was, and seeing thou wast not here he spoke unto me and said, When Ishmael thy husband returneth tell him thus did this man say, When thou comest home put away this nail of the tent which thou hast placed here, and place another nail in its stead.32And Abraham finished his instructions to the woman, and he turned and went off on the camel homeward.33And after that Ishmael came from the chase he and his mother, and returned to the tent, and his wife spoke these words to him,34A very old man from the land of the Philistines came to seek thee, and thus was his appearance and figure; I did not ask him who he was, and seeing thou wast not at home he said to me, When thy husband cometh home tell him, thus saith the old man, Put away the nail of the tent which thou hast placed here and place another nail in its stead.35And Ishmael heard the words of his wife, and he knew that it was his father, and that his wife did not honor him.36And Ishmael understood his father's words that he had spoken to his wife, and Ishmael hearkened to the voice of his father, and Ishmael cast off that woman and she went away.

It would seem that Ishmael and his mother Hagar were not teachers of God, as this woman did not seem to live as if she knew God at all.  It is interesting that Ishmael listened to Abraham and respected him, which would tell me that even if there were hard feelings regarding his exile, Ishmael must have known that he was wrong in his behavior toward Isaac. Also Abraham did not completely disown Ishmael, which shows forgiveness for Ishmael’s jealousy. It is also fascinating that Ishmael was the child of an Egyptian woman, and the love hate relationship Ishmael had with his family seems the same as the love hate relationship Israel and Egypt have today.

37And Ishmael afterward went to the land of Canaan, and he took another wife and he brought her to his tent to the place where he then dwelt.38And at the end of three years Abraham said, I will go again and see Ishmael my son, for I have not seen him for a long time.39And he rode upon his camel and went to the wilderness, and he reached the tent of Ishmael about noon.40And he asked40 And he asked after Ishmael, and his wife came out of the tent and she said, He is not here my lord, for he has gone to hunt in the fields, and to feed the camels, and the woman said to Abraham, Turn in my lord into the tent, and eat a morsel of bread, for thy soul must be wearied on account of the journey.41And Abraham said to her, I will not stop for I am in haste to continue my journey, but give me a little water to drink, for I have thirst; and the woman hastened and ran into the tent and she brought out water and bread to Abraham, which she placed before him and she urged him to eat, and he ate and drank and his heart was comforted and he blessed his son Ishmael.42And he finished his meal and he blessed the Lord, and he said to Ishmael's wife, When Ishmael cometh home say these words to him,43A very old man from the land of the Philistines came hither and asked after thee, and thou wast not here; and I brought him out bread and water and he ate and drank and his heart was comforted.44And he spoke these words to me: When Ishmael thy husband cometh home, say unto him, The nail of the tent which thou hast is very good, do not put it away from the tent.45And Abraham finished commanding the woman, and he rode off to his home to the land of the Philistines; and when Ishmael came to his tent his wife went forth to meet him with joy and a cheerful heart.46And she said to him, An old man came here from the land of the Philistines and thus was his appearance, and he asked after thee and thou wast not here, so I brought out bread and water, and he ate and drank and his heart was comforted.47And he spoke these words to me, When Ishmael thy husband cometh home say to him, The nail of the tent which thou hast is very good, do not put it away from the tent.48And Ishmael knew that it was his father, and that his wife had honored him, and the Lord blessed Ishmael.

After realizing Abraham’s approval of his second wife, Ishmael returns to the land of the Philistines. Having twelve sons, they probably needed a lot of room, which may be why it is noted Abraham moved to Hebron.

Jasher 22:1And Ishmael then rose up and took his wife and his children and his cattle and all belonging to him, and he journeyed from there and he went to his father in the land of the Philistines.2And Abraham related to Ishmael his son the transaction with the first wife that Ishmael took, according to what she did.3And Ishmael and his children dwelt with Abraham many days in that land, and Abraham dwelt in the land of the Philistines a long time.

Now the Conflict:

Jasher 22:4And the days increased and reached twenty six years, and after that Abraham with his servants and all belonging to him went from the land of the Philistines and removed to a great distance, and they came near to Hebron, and they remained there, and the servants of Abraham dug wells of water, and Abraham and all belonging to him dwelt by the water, and the servants of Abimelech king of the Philistines heard the report that Abraham's servants had dug wells of water in the borders of the land.5And they came and quarreled with the servants of Abraham, and they robbed them of the great well which they had dug.6And Abimelech king of the Philistines heard of this affair, and he with Phicol the captain of his host and twenty of his men came to Abraham, and Abimelech spoke to Abraham concerning his servants, and Abraham rebuked Abimelech concerning the well of which his servants had robbed him.7And Abimelech said to Abraham, As the Lord liveth who created the whole earth, I did not hear of the act which my servants did unto thy servants until this day.8And Abraham took seven ewe lambs and gave them to Abimelech, saying, Take these, I pray thee, from my hands that it may be a testimony for me that I dug this well.9And Abimelech took the seven ewe lambs which Abraham had given to him, for he had also given him cattle and herds in abundance, and Abimelech swore to Abraham concerning the well, therefore he called that well Beersheba, for there they both swore concerning it.10And they both made a covenant in Beersheba, and Abimelech rose up with Phicol the captain of his host and all his men, and they returned to the land of the Philistines, and Abraham and all belonging to him dwelt in Beersheba and he was in that land a long time.11And Abraham planted a large grove in Beersheba, and he made to it four gates facing the four sides of the earth, and he planted a vineyard in it, so that if a traveler came to Abraham he entered any gate which was in his road, and remained there and ate and drank and satisfied himself and then departed.12For the house of Abraham was always open to the sons of men that passed and repassed, who came daily to eat and drink in the house of Abraham.13And any man who had hunger and came to Abraham's house, Abraham would give him bread that he might eat and drink and be satisfied, and any one that came naked to his house he would clothe with garments as he might choose, and give him silver and gold and make known to him the Lord who had created him in the earth; this did Abraham all his life.14And Abraham and his children and all belonging to him dwelt in Beersheba, and he pitched his tent as far as Hebron.

This is interesting, from Gerar to Beersheba is about a mile, from Beersheba to Hebron is about 40 miles.  So Abraham spread out his family over 40 miles.  We can’t really understand that. Spreading out over forty miles, there must have been a lot of people.  They probably weren’t in a straight line either; they could have been a mile wide in places, maybe more. Next we see, Abraham’s family who lived in Haran, which is in southern Turkey, and they spread out as well, heading east towards Mesopotamia.

15And Abraham's brother Nahor and his father and all belonging to them dwelt in Haran, for they did not come with Abraham to the land of Canaan.16And children were born to Nahor which Milca the daughter of Haran, and sister to Sarah, Abraham's wife, bare to him.17And these are the names of those that were born to him, Uz, Buz, Kemuel, Kesed, Chazo, Pildash, Tidlaf, and Bethuel, being eight sons, these are the children of Milca which she bare to Nahor, Abraham's brother.18And Nahor had a concubine and her name was Reumah, and she also bare to Nahor, Zebach, Gachash, Tachash and Maacha, being four sons.19And the children that were born to Nahor were twelve sons besides his daughters, and they also had children born to them in Haran.20And the children of Uz the first born of Nahor were Abi, Cheref, Gadin, Melus, and Deborah their sister.21And the sons of Buz were Berachel, Naamath, Sheva, and Madonu.22And the sons of Kemuel were Aram and Rechob.23And the sons of Kesed were Anamlech, Meshai, Benon and Yifi; and the sons of Chazo were Pildash, Mechi and Opher.24And the sons of Pildash were Arud, Chamum, Mered and Moloch.25And the sons of Tidlaf were Mushan, Cushan and Mutzi.26And the children of Bethuel were Sechar, Laban and their sister Rebecca.27These are the families of the children of Nahor, that were born to them in Haran;

Rebecca, who later marries Isaac, was born in Haran, a daughter of Bethuel, youngest son of Nahor, Abraham’s brother.

and Aram the son of Kemuel and Rechob his brother went away from Haran, and they found a valley in the land by the river Euphrates.28And they built a city there, and they called the name of the city after the name of Pethor the son of Aram, that is Aram Naherayim unto this day.29And the children of Kesed also went to dwell where they could find a place, and they went and they found a valley opposite to the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there.30And they there built themselves a city, and they called the name at the city Kesed after the name of their father, that is the land Kasdim unto this day, and the Kasdim dwelt in that land and they were fruitful and multiplied exceedingly.31And Terah, father of Nahor and Abraham, went and took another wife in his old age, and her name was Pelilah, and she conceived and bare him a son and he called his name Zoba.32And Terah lived twenty-five years after he begat Zoba.

Pethor is where Balaam resided. We sometimes wonder how a prophet could be in this area, and we wonder why the prophet would be crooked and turn against Israel.  Here is why, in Haran Abraham’s family had learned about God.  Abraham made disciples of the people of Haran.  When they moved from Haran, they took their beliefs with them.  There was no written genealogy or history book at that time, Moses was still yet to come.  Therefore it would seem that although Balaam was a false prophet, and he was used by God to punish Israel, he was a relative of Abraham.

PETHOR [PEE thohr] (soothsayer) - a city in northern Mesopotamia in which Balaam lived (Num 22:5; Deut 23:4). Balak, king of the Moabites, sent to Pethor to summon Balaam (Josh 13:22) to curse Israel. Pethor has been identified with Tell Ahmar, about 19 kilometers (12 miles) south of CARCHEMISH.(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)

33And Terah died in that year, that is in the thirty-fifth year of the birth of Isaac son of Abraham.34And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years, and he was buried in Haran.35And Zoba the son of Terah lived thirty years and he begat Aram, Achlis and Merik.36And Aram son of Zoba son of Terah, had three wives and he begat twelve sons and three daughters; and the Lord gave to Aram the son of Zoba, riches and possessions, and abundance of cattle, and flocks and herds, and the man increased greatly.37And Aram the son of Zoba and his brother and all his household journeyed from Haran, and they went to dwell where they should find a place, for their property was too great to remain in Haran; for they could not stop in Haran together with their brethren the children of Nahor.38And Aram the son of Zoba went with his brethren, and they found a valley at a distance toward the eastern country and they dwelt there.39And they also built a city there, and they called the name thereof Aram, after the name of their eldest brother; that is Aram Zoba to this day.

Aram-Zobah was a land in Syria where later Saul and David had war with the kings of Zobah.

Zoba, Or Zobah (station), the name of a portion of Syria which formed a separate kingdom in the time of the Jewish monarchs Saul, David and Solomon. It probably was eastward of Coele-Syria, and extended thence northeast and east toward, if not even to, the Euphrates. We first hear of Zobah in the time of Saul, when we find it mentioned as a separate country, governed apparently by a number of kings who owned no common head or chief. 1 Sam 14:47. Some forty years later than this we find Zobah under a single ruler Hadadezer son of Rehob. He had wars with Toi king of Hamath, 2 Sam 8:10, and held various petty Syrian princes as vassals under his yoke. 2 Sam 10:19. David, 2 Sam 8:3, attacked Hadadezer in the early part of his reign, defeated his army, and took from him a thousand chariots, seven hundred (seven thousand,) 1 Chron 18:4, horsemen and 20,000 footmen. Hadadezer's allies, the Syrians of Damascus, were defeated in a great battle. The wealth of Zobah is very apparent in the narrative of this campaign. A man of Zobah, Rezon son of Eliadah, made himself master of Damascus where he proved a fierce adversary to Israel all through the reign of Solomon. 1 Kings 11:23-25. Solomon also was, it would seem engaged in a war with Zobah itself. 2 Chron 8:3. This is the last that we hear of Zobah in Scripture. The name however, is found at a later date in the inscriptions of Assyria, where the kingdom of Zobah seems to intervene between Hamath and Damascus.(from Smith's Bible Dictionary, PC Study Bible formatted electronic database Copyright © 2003, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

40And Isaac the son of Abraham was growing up in those days, and Abraham his father taught him the way of the Lord to know the Lord, and the Lord was with him.

Reviewing the basic tenets of the Melchizedek Priesthood of which we are called, we see that Abraham taught Isaac the way of the Lord.  Abraham made disciples everywhere he went, Ur, Babylon, Haran, Egypt, Canaan, and Philistia.  We are to teach the way of the Lord, not the way of the law.  Jesus was the fulfillment of the law as a king, and we are called as kings and priests, as Melchizedek (Shem) was. Under the law no one could be a king and a priest; the two lines were separated and not allowed to intermarry. This shows us we are free to follow God without the rules of others. Yet we are not to have our own plan on following God, but we are to submit to God, just as those people did who were before Abraham. As we have picked up understanding along this historical journey of how people followed God from the time of Adam to Abraham, one thing is overwhelmingly true, these people were submitted to God, not men.  Abraham was our greatest example, and he was not a Jew, as Judah was not born yet, and he was not a Levite, as Levi was not born yet, he also was not an Israelite as the nation was not established yet. He was not under the law, as the law was not given yet. He simply listened and obeyed God, all by himself, without a church, without routine and religion, without anyone overshadowing him. It is always safer to follow God, not men.

We have to remember that the Lord was with Ishmael as we saw last week, however if Ishmael did not submit his ways to the Lord, the Lord would not always be with him.  Many people get into trouble today, looking for fortunetelling prophets, or personal prophecies for their lives.  But the key is developing our own personal relationship with God so that we know his voice. It is never about what we want to do, it is about what He wants us to do, and therefore we can only know what he wants us to do by listening to Him. If you will talk to God, He’ll talk back.

Next we have to look at the most talked about event in the life of Isaac, when his father offered him as a sacrifice.  It is fascinating to see all the different aspects of this situation, obedience, accusation, greed and eventually blessing.

Isaac Is Born, Abraham and The First Feast of Tabernacles, Feelings Come and Go, Ishmael Leaves

Does God want you to feel good? It’s a trick question.  I think we have created an era for ourselves of pursuing feeling good as our predominant goal in life.  If we focus ourselves around feeling good, and we behave as if feeling good is our first priority, we will receive the result of our feel good behavior, which is to not feel good.  If you eat too much junk food you get sick.  If you smoke, drink, or do drugs, you die sooner, and with physical illness. A wise old preacher used to say “Feelings come and go but the word of God lives and abides forever”.  I like that. It’s simple.  Feelings do come and go.  But God does not arrange all heaven and earth so that we can feel good.  Whoever sold you that lie has some ocean front property in Colorado for you too.  We felt good about the “hope and change” we were promised a few years ago, regardless of the experience, voting record, and eligibility of the candidate who promised it to us, so we elected him. Now we are worse off than we were when we were hopeless and in a routine. Sometimes we may go to churches that manipulate our feelings so that we feel good, however we become worse off when we find out that God had a few rules for us to live by and that not every one that says to him “Lord Lord” enters into his kingdom.  Telling are the people who petition Jesus for entrance, as they start listing their deeds, as if those were qualifiers to heaven.  Yet he says depart from me I never knew you. The interesting word to look at here is iniquity, which means violation of law or illegal activity.  Why did Jesus use that word? Is there a law or a set of rules we should follow?  It doesn’t feel good to do what I don’t want to do, yet I am accountable to play by His rules if I wish to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  I didn’t write it, I am simply pointing out that life is not about feeling good. 

Matt 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.KJV

The reason I’m on the feel good kick is that I think of the hardships and harshness that our biblical forefathers went through and God didn’t seem to do anything to make them feel better.  Able wouldn’t have died and Cain wouldn’t have been cursed and exiled if God wanted them to feel good.  Plus Adam and Eve felt pretty badly when Able was murdered. Certainly more people would have been saved besides Noah and his family before the flood waters swallowed them up if God was concerned about how they felt as doom set into their hearts.  I’m sure Abraham would have felt better if he had Isaac when he was in his 30’s instead of his 100’s.  I think of Sarah, being married to two different kings without consummation.  I’m sure Sarah didn’t feel good wondering if either or both of the kings would sleep with her. I’m sure she wondered if she would ever see Abraham again. It is not a good feeling to be taken by others and to have no say about it. This is not a feel good church message, but it is the reality of life.  What we created for ourselves is a false world where we pretend that everything is wonderful, which then sets people up for depression when things go wrong.  The bible does not promise us heaven on earth, now, while we are living. God is not interested in our feelings; he is interested in our obedience.   If we are happy along the way that is our choice but it is not God’s primary focus and it should not be ours. Just because the Holy Spirit indwells you does not give you a “get out of jail free” card for your game of life. Therefore we should toughen up, and stop whining. We should stop seeking things to boost our feelings and start seeking our Master which set up a plan to live by so that we can have eternal life.

Yahweh visited Sarah and she conceived Isaac, just as he said he would while she and Abraham lived in the land of the Philistines. That is where Isaac was born and was circumcised.

Jasher 21:1And it was at that time at the end of a year and four months of Abraham's dwelling in the land of the Philistines in Gerar, that God visited Sarah, and the Lord remembered her, and she conceived and bare a son to Abraham.2And Abraham called the name of the son which was born to him, which Sarah bare to him, Isaac.3And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac at eight days old, as God had commanded Abraham to do unto his seed after him; and Abraham was one hundred, and Sarah ninety years old, when Isaac was born to them.4And the child grew up and he was weaned, and Abraham made a great feast upon the day that Isaac was weaned.5And Shem and Eber and all the great people of the land, and Abimelech king of the Philistines, and his servants, and Phicol, the captain of his host, came to eat and drink and rejoice at the feast which Abraham made upon the day of his son Isaac's being weaned.6Also Terah, the father of Abraham, and Nahor his brother, came from Haran, they and all belonging to them, for they greatly rejoiced on hearing that a son had been born to Sarah.7And they came to Abraham, and they ate and drank at the feast which Abraham made upon the day of Isaac's being weaned.8And Terah and Nahor rejoiced with Abraham, and they remained with him many days in the land of the Philistines.9At that time Serug the son of Reu died, in the first year of the birth of Isaac son of Abraham.10And all the days of Serug were two hundred and thirty-nine years, and he died.

SERUG [SIR uhg] (branch) - a son of Reu and the father of Nahor (Gen 11:20-23). Serug is listed as an ancestor of Jesus in Luke's genealogy (Luke 3:35; Saruch, KJV).(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)

Serug (branch), son of Reu and great grandfather of Abraham. His age is given in the Hebrew Bible as 230 years. Gen 11:20-23. ( B.C. 2180.)(from Smith's Bible Dictionary, PC Study Bible formatted electronic database Copyright © 2003, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

It is significant how the whole family came to visit Abraham at the time of Isaac’s weaning.  I can’t imagine how so many old people traveled such a long distance to visit.  I’m sure it didn’t feel good to travel that far. Shem and Eber came, they were probably the oldest and we do know that Shem & Eber lived in Salem, or Jerusalem. From Gerar that was abiut 66 miles or so. We know Terah and other family members lived in Haran and that is maybe 467 miles from Gerar. Neither of these locations was a short journey for people as old as they all were. A horse can travel about 20-30 miles in a day, and a camel can travel between 25-40 miles in a day.  That is not quick travel. 

Jasher 21:11 And Ishmael the son of Abraham was grown up in those days; he was fourteen years old when Sarah bare Isaac to Abraham.12And God was with Ishmael the son of Abraham, and he grew up, and he learned to use the bow and became an archer.13And when Isaac was five years old he was sitting with Ishmael at the door of the tent.14And Ishmael came to Isaac and seated himself opposite to him, and he took the bow and drew it and put the arrow in it, and intended to slay Isaac.15And Sarah saw the act which Ishmael desired to do to her son Isaac, and it grieved her exceedingly on account of her son, and she sent for Abraham, and said to him, Cast out this bondwoman and her son, for her son shall not be heir with my son, for thus did he seek to do unto him this day.16And Abraham hearkened to the voice of Sarah, and he rose up early in the morning, and he took twelve loaves and a bottle of water which he gave to Hagar, and sent her away with her son, and Hagar went with her son to the wilderness, and they dwelt in the wilderness of Paran with the inhabitants of the wilderness, and Ishmael was an archer, and he dwelt in the wilderness a long time.17And he and his mother afterward went to the land of Egypt, and they dwelt there, and Hagar took a wife for her son from Egypt, and her name was Meribah.

It seems like Ishmael was a troubled teenager; at the time he was 19 years old.  Since the parade of old people didn’t come visiting when he was born, I’m sure he felt threatened over Isaac. Isaac being 5 could have been an annoying little brother as well, we really don’t know, but I’m sure there wasn’t a halo over his head just because he was the child of promise. Sarah being a protective mom, did what she felt was right, and God agreed with her.

Jubilees records that the Lord came to Sarah and did what he promised, then the angels came and gave Abraham instructions. They also tell Abraham he would have six more sons, which he does after Sarah dies.

Jubilees 16:10 And in this month Abraham moved from Hebron, and departed and dwelt between Kadesh and Shur in the mountains of Gerar. 11. And in the middle of the fifth month he moved from thence, and dwelt at the Well of the Oath.12.  And in the middle of the sixth month the Lord visited Sarah and did unto her as He had spoken, and she conceived. 13. And she bare a son in the third month, and in the middle of the month, at the time of which the Lord had spoken to Abraham, on the festival of the first-fruits of the harvest,  Isaac was born. 14. And Abraham circumcised his son on the eighth day: he was the first that was circumcised according to the covenant which is ordained for ever. 15. And in the sixth year of the †fourth†  week we came to Abraham, to the Well of the Oath, and we appeared unto him [as we had told Sarah that we should return to her, and she would have conceived a son. 16. And we returned in the seventh month, and found Sarah with child before us]  and we blessed him, and we announced to him all the things which had been decreed concerning him, that he should not die till he should beget six sons more,  and should see (them) before he died; but (that) in Isaac should his name and seed be called:  17. And (that) all the seed of his sons should be Gentiles, and be reckoned with the Gentiles; but from the sons of Isaac one should become a holy seed, and should not be reckoned among the Gentiles. 18. For he should become the portion of the Most High,  and all his seed had fallen into the possession of God, that it should be unto the Lord a people for (His) possession  above all nations and that it should become a kingdom and priests and a holy nation.  19. And we went our way, and we announced to Sarah all that we had told him, and they both rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

Here we have Abraham celebrating the first Feast of Tabernacles.  Today we view Tabernacles as a thanksgiving feast where meals are to be eaten in a Sukkah outside under the stars. Abraham waited on God’s promise for a long time and then rejoiced with a seven day feast. Zechariah says we will all be celebrating Tabernacles in Jerusalem in the future.

Jubilees 16:20. And he built there an altar to the Lord who had delivered him, and who was making him rejoice in the land of his sojourning, and he celebrated a festival of joy in this month seven days, near the altar which he had built at the Well of the Oath. 21. And he built booths for himself and for his servants on this festival, and he was the first to celebrate the feast of tabernacles on the earth. 22. And during these seven days he brought each day to the altar a burnt-offering to the Lord, two oxen,  two rams, seven sheep,  one he-goat, for a sin-offering, that he might atone thereby for himself and for his seed. 23. And, as a thank-offering, seven rams, seven kids, seven sheep, and seven he-goats, and their fruit-offerings and their drink-offerings;  and he burnt all the fat thereof on the altar, a chosen offering unto the Lord for a sweet smelling savour. 24. And morning and evening he burnt fragrant substances,  frankincense and galbanum, and stacte, and nard, and myrrh, and spice, and costum; all these seven he offered, crushed, mixed together in equal parts (and) pure. 25. And he celebrated this feast during seven days, rejoicing with all his heart and with all his soul, he and all those who were in his house; and there was no stranger with him, nor any that was uncircumcised. 26. And he blessed his Creator who had created him in his generation, for He had created him according to His good pleasure; for He knew and perceived that from him would arise the plant of righteousness for the eternal generations, and from him a holy seed, so that it should become like Him who had made all things. 27. And he blessed and rejoiced, and he called the name of this festival the festival of the Lord, a joy acceptable to the Most High God. 28. And we blessed him for ever, and all his seed after him throughout all the generations of the earth, because he celebrated this festival in its season, according to the testimony of the heavenly tables. 29. For this reason it is ordained on the heavenly tables concerning Israel, that they shall celebrate the feast of tabernacles seven days with joy, in the seventh month, acceptable before the Lord--a statute for ever throughout their generations every year.  30. And to this there is no limit of days; for it is ordained for ever regarding Israel that they should celebrate it and dwell in booths, and set wreaths upon their heads,  and take leafy boughs, and willows from the brook.  31. And Abraham took branches of palm trees, and the fruit of goodly trees, and every day going round the altar with the branches seven times [a day] in the morning, he praised and gave thanks to his God for all things in joy.

I have always found it interesting that Jesus Tabernacled with us. 

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.KJV

Dwelt NT:4637 skenoo (skay-no'-o); from NT:4636; to tent or encamp, i.e. (figuratively) to occupy (as a mansion) or (specifically) to reside (as God did in the Tabernacle of old, a symbol of protection and communion):KJV - dwell.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Dwelt NT:4637 skeenooo, skeenoo;to fix one's tabernacle, have one's tabernacle, abide (or live) in a tabernacle (or tent), tabernacle(from Thayer's Greek Lexicon, Electronic Database. Copyright © 2000, 2003, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Josephus explains the practice of circumcision which the Arabians practice in a child’s 13^th year.

Josephus 12:2 Now in a little time Abraham had a son by Sarah, as God had foretold to him, whom he named Isaac, which signifies Laughter. And indeed they so called him, because Sarah laughed when God said that she should bear a son, she not expecting such a thing, as being past the age of child-bearing, for she was ninety years old, and Abraham a hundred; so that this son was born to them both in the last year of each of those decimal numbers. And they circumcised him upon the eighth day and from that time the Jews continue the custom of circumcising their sons within that number of days. But as for the Arabians, they circumcise after the thirteenth year, because Ismael, the founder of their nation, who was born to Abraham of the concubine, was circumcised at that age; concerning whom I will presently give a particular account, with great exactness.
3. As for Sarah, she at first loved Ismael, who was born of her own handmaid Hagar, with an affection not inferior to that of her own son, for he was brought up in order to succeed in the government; but when she herself had borne Isaac, she was not willing that Ismael should be brought up with him, as being too old for him, and able to do him injuries when their father should be dead; she therefore persuaded Abraham to send him and his mother to some distant country. Now, at the first, he did not agree to what Sarah was so zealous for, and thought it an instance of the greatest barbarity, to send away a young child and a woman unprovided of necessaries; but at length he agreed to it, because God was pleased with what Sarah had determined: so he delivered Ismael to his mother, as not yet able to go by himself; and commanded her to take a bottle of water, and a loaf of bread, and so to depart, and to take Necessity for her guide. But as soon as her necessary provisions failed, she found herself in an evil case; and when the water was almost spent, she laid the young child, who was ready to expire, under a fig-tree, and went on further, that so he might die while she was absent. But a Divine Angel came to her, and told her of a fountain hard by, and bid her take care, and bring up the child, because she should be very happy by the preservation of Ismael. She then took courage, upon the prospect of what was promised her, and, meeting with some shepherds, by their care she got clear of the distresses she had been in.
4. When the lad was grown up, he married a wife, by birth an Egyptian, from whence the mother was herself derived originally. Of this wife were born to Ismael twelve sons; Nabaioth, Kedar, Abdeel, Mabsam, Idumas, Masmaos, Masaos, Chodad, Theman, Jetur, Naphesus, Cadmas. These inhabited all the country from Euphrates to the Red Sea, and called it Nabatene. They are an Arabian nation, and name their tribes from these, both because of their own virtue, and because of the dignity of Abraham their father.

So that we understand who the Nabatenes were:
NABATAEA [nab uh TEE ah] — an Arabic territory situated between the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba. Nebajoth, son of Ishmael and brother-inlaw of Edom (Gen 25:13; 28:9), was possibly the ancestor of the Nabateans, although positive identification is impossible. Some time during the sixth century B.C. these peoples invaded the territory of the Edomites and Moabites. Their name first occurred in 646 B.C. when a people called the Nabaiate revolted against Ashurbanipal, king of Assyria. It took the Assyrians seven years to subdue these people.
In 312 B.C. Antigonus, one of the successors of Alexander the Great, sent an expedition against the Nabatean capital of PETRA. This rose-red city was situated more than 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of the Dead Sea in the wilderness and surrounded by mountains. Petra had only one entrance, a narrow passageway sometimes as little as eight feet wide, between the cliffs rising 60 to 90 meters (200 to 300 feet) above the road. The Greek army was unable to take the city.
At a later time the Nabateans took advantage of the turmoil of the Seleucid kingdom and extended their territory all the way to Damascus. During the  first century B.C. they engaged in a war with the Maccabaean King Alexander Jannaeus. An officer of the Nabatean King Aretas IV attempted to detain the apostle Paul at Damascus (2 Cor 11:32). Eventually the Romans, under Trajan, annexed Nabatea, and it became the province of Arabia in  A.D. 106.
The Nabateans controlled the desert highways south of the Dead Sea, demanding outrageous fees from caravans before they allowed them to pass. They developed an advanced civilization in the middle of the desert wilderness. Out of the red sandstone cliffs they carved beautiful obelisks, facades, and HIGH PLACES, or altars, at which they worshiped pagan gods. They also developed a beautiful, thin pottery that was decorated with floral designs. With the rise of Palmyra, the trade that formerly passed through Petra was diverted; and the Nabateans were absorbed into the surrounding Arab population.(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)

Gen 21:1-21 And the Lord (Yahweh) visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord (Yahweh) did unto Sarah as he had spoken.2 For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God (Elohim) had spoken to him.3 And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac.4 And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God (Elohim) had commanded him.5 And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him.6 And Sarah said, God (Elohim) hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.7 And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? for I have born him a son in his old age.8 And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned.9 And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking.10 Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac.11 And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because of his son.12 And God (Elohim) said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.13 And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed.14 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beer-sheba.15 And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs.16 And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.17 And God (Elohim) heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God (messenger of Elohim) called Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God (Elohim) hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.18 Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation.19 And God (Elohim) opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink.20 And God (Elohim) was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer.21 And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran: and his mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt.KJV

God was with Ishmael, not just Isaac.  Even though Isaac was the son of promise whose linage would bring forth the Messiah, Ishmael was still cared for by God.  If Ishmael was 19 years old when he left Abraham’s house, and he married and had 12 sons, and who knows how many daughters, it would be interesting to note that until they turned from God, God was with them. As we will see next week, Abraham visits Ishmael and it is obvious Ishmael needs some coaching.  Ishmael is not all knowledgeable about God at 19 so he lives as much as he knows. I’m sure it didn’t feel good to Ishmael to be hurt by the birth of a more important sibling.  It didn’t feel good for him to be sent from his father’s house or to have to have his mother give up on both of them living.  While life doesn’t always feel good, we can learn from our biblical examples and be overcomers of our feelings. We are not to be led by feelings but to do what is right in spite of our feelings.

End Notes

Jesus tabernacled among us

http://toequipthesaints.com/2010/07/31/the-word-became-flesh-and-tabernacled-among-us/

http://toequipthesaints.com/2010/08/04/the-word-became-flesh-and-tabernacled-among-us-part-2/

http://thisisrich.blogspot.com/2004/12/he-tabernacled-among-us.html