God’s Faithfulness to Ishmael
Genesis 25:12–18 (NASB95)
12Now these are the records of the generations of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s maid, bore to Abraham; 13and these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, in the order of their birth: Nebaioth, the firstborn of Ishmael, and Kedar and Adbeel and Mibsam 14and Mishma and Dumah and Massa, 15Hadad and Tema, Jetur, Naphish and Kedemah. 16These are the sons of Ishmael and these are their names, by their villages, and by their camps; twelve princes according to their tribes. 17These are 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. 18They settled from Havilah to Shur which is east of Egypt, as one goes toward Assyria; he settled in defiance of all his relatives.
I have a few questions that I would like to propose for each of you to consider.
Ishmael is someone we haven’t spent much time talking about during our consideration of Genesis. What do you know of Ishmael? What comes to your mind when you think about him and what you have been taught? Most people associate him with the Muslim faith. With that in mind, here are a couple more important questions. Do you think Ismael had God’s favor? Upon Ishmael’s death, was he ‘saved,’ to use our modern-day words? These are some questions that we will tackle in our February Theology for the Rest of Us.
But this set of verses does show us that God keeps His word. Genesis 25:12-18 records the family line of Ishmael, Abraham’s firstborn by Hagar. God promised Hagar that Ishmael would become a great nation. Here, God delivers. Ishmael fathers twelve sons. Each son becomes a tribal leader. Their names—Nebaioth, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah—stand as proof of God’s faithfulness.
The number twelve matters. It matches the twelve tribes of Israel. God’s blessing reaches beyond Isaac. Ishmael’s descendants spread from Havilah to Shur, near Egypt, all the way to Asshur. They fill the northern Arabian desert. God’s promise to multiply Ishmael’s line comes true. Ishmael lives 137 years. He dies and is “gathered to his kin.” This phrase honors him as a patriarch. God does not forget Ishmael.
Ishmael’s descendants live in tension with their relatives. God foretold this. Yet, they thrive. They become strong and independent. Their tribes shape the history of the region. God’s care extends even to those outside the chosen line. He blesses Ishmael’s family, just as He said He would.
God’s faithfulness stands out. He keeps His promises to all Abraham’s children. Ishmael’s story shows that God’s blessing is wide. He cares for those who seem overlooked. He honors His word, even when people do not expect it.
God’s faithfulness does not stop at the boundaries we set. He keeps His promises to all people. The church must remember that God’s love and blessing reach beyond our walls. We should honor every person’s place in God’s plan. God uses families, tribes, and nations for His purpose. Let us trust His faithfulness and see people as God sees people.