Isaac Mocked by Ishmael

    Nothing could be more natural to the situation than the conduct of Ishmael, in mocking the pretensions and prospects of Isaac, on the occasion of the feast of weaning. He was the first-born, and would, of course, expect that he should have the pre-eminence. He would feel a sense not only of injury but of insult. His haughty soul could not bear that such honours should be conferred on his younger brother. He saw himself degraded, and stripped of what he considered his just honours in his father's house. He vented his feelings in mocking the pretensions of the favourite son.

    The matter, however, was directed by Providence. Ishmael's mocking of Isaac was necessary as a type of the carnal son mocking the spiritual seed. In this light it is viewed by Paul in the Epistle to the Galatians. "But, as then, he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now." The Providence of God provided an emblem of the persecution of his spiritual children by those who depend on carnal descent; and the Spirit of inspiration treasured it up in the divine records, to be expounded in due time by an apostle of Christ. This shows the necessity of inspiration, even in the most trifling historical events. What could less need inspiration than the record of Ishmael's mocking? The wisdom of this world would ask, what need of inspiration in recording such a fact? But an uninspired historian might have omitted the fact altogether, while it was necessary as a shadow of a peculiarity in the kingdom of Christ. Man is no competent judge with respect to what is necessary to be recorded in Scripture. This can be known only to the wisdom of God.

    This mocking was necessary, also, to give occasion to the excitement and demand of Sarah. If Sarah's demand was necessary as a figure of the gospel, that which occasioned her demand must also have been equally necessary. And, if the mocking by Ishmael, and the demand of expulsion by Sarah, were necessary, so also must have been the weaning-feast which gave occasion to all. There is here a chain, every link of which is of Providence.

    Yet Ishmael's mocking was his own sin, in which Providence had no share. The fact is obvious; the explanation of it is beyond the power of human intellect. It is our duty to recognise the ways of God as far as he has manifested them; it is as vain as it is impious to attempt to explain what the unsearchable wisdom of God has concealed.