Two Sons (Galatians 4:22)

"For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman" (Galatians 4:22). While the Bible records Abraham having eight sons, only two are important for the Christian faith: Ishmael, born from Hagar the slave, and Isaac, born from Sarah the wife. These two form the divide between the nations that would be blessed by God through Abraham. Ishmael was the ancestor of the Arabs. Isaac was the ancestor of the Israelites and the Edomites. The struggles in the Middle East continue because of the division between these two sons. Abraham begged God that Ishmael might be God's blessed son. But God had planned that role for Isaac. Throughout their lifetime, Isaac and Ishmael avoided each other. They only came together to bury their father (Genesis 25:7-11). Otherwise they stayed away from each other. This estrangement continues today, as their descendants seek to occupy the same land. All because of their origins. Which was Abraham's true son? The question will be answered as we continue these devotions. Amen.