Pre Intro: I once belonged to a large family via my mothers lineage - she had been one of 12 children. Her youngest sister became like a surrogate mom to me at times. It was a large family as you can imagine - but once Ma had married Pa and had three kids she almost ignored her sister and their kids and just focused on what would be best for her 'new' family. So although our families remained civil and sociable we were also independent and self-developing in the same city.
I often equate the relationships that great father Abraham had with his family and how it sorta mimicked mine. His long suffering wife at an old age produced a son finally ; being named Jacob and his wifes long suffering maidservant produced Abraham another son before his wifes son in fact, called Ishmael ; and the two boys played happily together as I did with my cousins!!
However there was of course simmering resentments and jealousies ; couldn't see it in my families but there are clearly enunciated in Abrahams. And so much to the disagreement from Abraham his wife insisted that her maidservant and child be cast out of their camp - as they were [ it's all in your bible as it is in mine] with the Lord God comforting Abraham with promises that they would be well cared for - as they were.
And thus our bible tells us were the two great nations formed - Jewish and Islamic - what an amazing family story - two loving brothers forced apart to take different parts?
I often equate the relationships that great father Abraham had with his family and how it sorta mimicked mine. His long suffering wife at an old age produced a son finally ; being named Jacob and his wifes long suffering maidservant produced Abraham another son before his wifes son in fact, called Ishmael ; and the two boys played happily together as I did with my cousins!!
However there was of course simmering resentments and jealousies ; couldn't see it in my families but there are clearly enunciated in Abrahams. And so much to the disagreement from Abraham his wife insisted that her maidservant and child be cast out of their camp - as they were [ it's all in your bible as it is in mine] with the Lord God comforting Abraham with promises that they would be well cared for - as they were.
And thus our bible tells us were the two great nations formed - Jewish and Islamic - what an amazing family story - two loving brothers forced apart to take different parts?