Genesis 16-18

This is where things start to get complicated. Abram and Sarai get impatient and she passes Hagar off to him, whom he promptly impregnates (btw – it is surprising to me that Sarai is so quick to judge her husband's abilities later on) and creates the most difficult situation in the Bible. Isaac's children will have direct competition with his half-brother, Ishmael.

I also must say, I understand why Hagar left and see God fulfilling an obligation to Ishmael that perhaps was never meant to be fulfilled. He did say that Abram's son would be the father to a great nation. He did not have to carry that on through Hagar's son, but God is good and does things that make gasp at his goodness (this has some parallels to how Jonah felt in Jonah 4). Our God is matchless in mercy and grace – mighty to save and quick to listen. He is so mighty as to give promises to those that don't deserve them – even when He has no obligation to do so! I, as a Gentile (as far as I know I have no Jewish blood), receive God's good mercy even though my ancestors did not believe. I am blessed through Him and only Him, much like Ishmael – much like Isaac and Abram for that matter!

After this God renews his promise to Abram, names him Abraham ("exalted father" to "father of many nations") and gives Sarai the name Sarah. Isaac will be named Isaac (meaning "he laughs") because of Abram's chuckling to himself when told that he would have another son. God tells Abram that He was to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, and Abraham pleads with Him to save it on account of a few good men. Our headings in chapter 19 tell us that didn't go so well. What are you guys seeing in the reading? Ask questions in the comments and my crack squad of theologians will jump all over it!