Day 15: Incidents in Abraham's life

So the wait is nearly over for a legitimate heir for Abraham and Sarah. Abraham continues up and down, and I wonder what it was that God saw in him that made him the choice as father of a nation. Clearly God trusted him, shared his plans for Sodom and Gomorrah with him, and Abraham had the courage to debate with God. But was there anything that made him special? Perhaps not - which is reassuring in itself, meaning that God doesn't just choose the special ones among us, we don't have to be remarkable to catch his eye. Phew.

Lot's daughters give birth to sons

Genesis 19:30-38

Birth of Isaac

Genesis 21:1-7, 1 Chronicles 1:34

Isaac and Ishmael

Genesis 21:8-13

Hagar and Ishmael cast out

Genesis 21:14-21

Death of Shelah

Genesis 11:15

Ishmael's children

Genesis 25:12-18, 1 Chronicles 1:28-29

Abimelech's covenant with Abraham

Genesis 21:22-34

Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac

Genesis 22:1-19

Abraham learns of Nahor's family

Genesis 22:2024

Death of Sarah

Genesis 23:1-20

Chapter 19: This is the end for Lot - although the story tells us that his line continues, it does so in a shameful way and he is not to be part of God's plans for greatness.
Laughter and joy as Isaac is born. But there is jealousy and rancour between Sarah and Hagar, and Sarah doesn't deal with it well. Hagar is thrown out, despite Abraham's reluctance, and only God's mercy preserves them. This bitterness is never resolved, and its painful consequences endure. Ishmael's descendants lived in hostility towards their neighbours ever after.
Then we come to the remarkable story of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac. Having obeyed God and let Ishmael go, he's ready to obey God and let Isaac go as well. Even to the point of dispatching him himself. This is painful to read. Nothing would induce me to part with Michael, except that he's growing up and will leave of his own accord. But he will still be my son. Is this wonderful faith from Abraham, or unreasonable requests from God? You should never ask someone to do what you're not willing to do yourself, it is said, and God did not withhold his own son, but gave him up freely for us all.
Abraham's grief continues as he buries Sarah, but we don't hear about his sadness, just his honourable dealings as he buys her a burial place. It's a reminder that Abraham is a foreigner in the land, and also that he is highly regarded - a mighty prince among us, the Hittites say.