Who were the descendants of Ishmael?
Moses lists in Genesis 25 all the direct descendants of Ishmael and where they lived. Why is this relevant to today? They are Abraham’s descendants and clearly they were NOT in ISRAEL.
Preparing the Bride for GOD’s Story
How do we prepare as the Bride of Christ? One aspect is to learn GOD’S STORY. He created us in His image…. Piece by piece, and peace by peace, we learn to walk as He has walked. And we learn His perspective.
Genesis 25:12-18
“Now this is the genealogy of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s maidservant, bore to Abraham. And these were the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: The firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth; then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadar, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These were the sons of Ishmael and these were their names, by their towns and their settlements, twelve princes according to their nations. These were the years of the life of Ishmael: one hundred and thirty-seven years; and he breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people. (They dwelt from Havilah as far as Shur, which is east of Egypt as you go toward Assyria.) He died in the presence of all his brethren.”
When Hagar was sent away with her son, from Abraham and all the home comforts they were accustomed to, GOD promised Ishmael would live and thrive. He also said the tribes would never get along with others…
Here in Genesis 25, the lands given to Ishmael — the region and areas — are clearly indicated. Why would GOD do that? Well, I can think of many good reasons for the identity and region of Abraham’s eldest son’s homesteads be clearly indicated. The archeological and Biblical evidence can line up so the debate over Jerusalem and Israel can be proven not to belong to Ishmael so as to diffuse the issues surrounding “who’s land is this”, historically.
Evidence of GOD’s love and commitment
The listing of Ishmael’s sons and progeny further demonstrates GOD’s devotion to Abraham, to Hagar and to Ishmael. The names reveal GOD’s intention to protect and honour Ishmael and GOD’s covenant with Hagar.
An opportunity to let go of hate
The listing of the names and regions of Ishmael’s occupation can give conclusion and clarity to the modern debate that modern politicians like to raise about the land of Israel v Palestine, and to whom the land ought to belong based upon historic rights.
Clearly, there is no Biblical claim from Ismael’s direct descendants to an occupation of nor an ownership to the land known today as Israel (with parts of Jordan, Lebanon and Syria falling into that region as well).
So what does this mean about the current debate over rightful ownership of the land of Israel? Called Palestine for centuries by ruling factions such as Rome but never a homeland to Arabs as a state designed by GOD, it is crystal clear:
According to GOD the land of Canaan was an everlasting covenant with GOD to Abraham. The territory was re-named Israel just as GOD re-named Jacob Israel.
GOD protected and blessed Ishmael. He protected and blessed Isreal. Oh, that these two families would begin to get along, finally.