21st.: Hagar Revisited
Fourteen years after the birth of Ishmael, Isaac was born.
Hagar had mocked Sarah when Ishmael was conceived.
Hagar again mocked Sarah, now for Isaac's birth (Gen. 21:10&12) (The exact mocking was not listed).
Hagar and Ishmael were expelled from the Abraham's immediate household.
However, instead of hearkening to Hagar, God came because of Ishmael’s crying (Gen. 20:9-17).
Here, God remembered his promise to Abraham, that the blessing would come
through a son from Sarah. Yet God had also promised to bless Ishmael (Gen. 17:18-21)
So God 'could not' let Ishmael die right away.
Because of Ishmael's age, Hagar was also still primarily responsible for Ishmael's welfare.
For example, Hagar went on to find Ishmael a wife (Gen.21:21).
The end result, was that Ishmael and Hagar went on with their lives.
And God watched over them, because of God’s promise to Abraham (Gen. 21:13),
even though no indication is given that they sought the Lord, thereafter.
Sometimes, it is other people’s prayers that protect us, even in-spite of ourselves.
Let us be the one(s) whose prayers move God to protect others.
“God be merciful unto us, and bless us, and cause his face to shine upon us. Selah.
That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.” (Ps. 67:1-2)