Paul and the Prophecy of Hagar’s Descendants

Genesis 21, verse 18, reads:
"Arise, lift up the boy and hold him in your hand; for I will make him a great nation."

Did Paul know the significance of the prophecy of Hagar’s descendants as Gentiles and what lies in store for them in future?

Paul the Apostle, a key figure in the New Testament known for his epistles and missionary work, does not specifically address the prophecy of Hagar's descendants as Gentiles in his writings. To understand this question, we need to break down several components:

1. Hagar's descendants: In the Book of Genesis in the Old Testament, Hagar is the Egyptian servant of Sarah, Abraham's wife. Hagar bears Abraham a son named Ishmael after Sarah herself is initially barren. God promises Hagar that he will make Ishmael's descendants into a great nation.

2. Gentiles: The term "Gentiles" traditionally refers to non-Jewish people. In the context of the New Testament and Paul's writings, Gentiles are often the audience of his missionary work, as he is known as the "Apostle to the Gentiles."

3. Paul's understanding of prophecy: Paul was well-versed in Hebrew scripture and often referenced Old Testament prophecies to support his teachings about Jesus Christ. However, he does not directly link the prophecy concerning Hagar's descendants with the future of the Gentiles in his epistles.

Paul, originally known as Saul of Tarsus, is often referred to as the apostle to the Gentiles—a title that reflects his unique role in early Christianity. Here’s an overview of what that means:

• Background and Conversion:
Paul began as a Pharisee committed to Jewish traditions and even persecuted early Christians. However, his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus transformed him into a passionate follower of Jesus. This experience convinced him that Christ's message was not solely for Jews but for all people.

• Mission to the Gentiles:
Unlike most of the original apostles, whose ministry initially focused on Jewish communities, Paul received what he understood to be a divine commission to preach the gospel to the Gentiles (non-Jews). He traveled extensively throughout the Roman Empire, establishing churches in cities across Asia Minor, Greece, and eventually reaching Rome itself. His missionary journeys are detailed in the Acts of the Apostles.

• Theological Contributions:
Paul’s writings—comprising many of the New Testament epistles—emphasize that salvation is offered through faith in Jesus Christ, not by adherence to the Mosaic Law. In letters such as Romans, Galatians, and 1 Corinthians, Paul argued that the gospel was a message of grace and inclusivity. This theological stance helped bridge the gap between Jewish and Gentile believers, fostering a more universal understanding of the Christian faith.

• Impact on Early Christianity:
By addressing issues of cultural and religious identity, Paul played a crucial role in shaping early Christian doctrine. His insistence that Gentile converts need not adopt all Jewish customs enabled the church to grow beyond its ethnic roots and become a global faith community. This shift was significant in establishing Christianity as a religion not limited by cultural or national boundaries.

In summary, Paul’s designation as the apostle of the Gentiles underscores his pioneering efforts to spread the message of Jesus Christ beyond Jewish communities. His life, journeys, and writings have had a lasting influence on the development of Christian thought and the expansion of the early church.

Paul, originally known as Saul of Tarsus, is often referred to as the apostle to the Gentiles—a title that reflects his unique role in early Christianity. Here’s an overview of what that means:

• Background and Conversion:
Paul began as a Pharisee committed to Jewish traditions and even persecuted early Christians. However, his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus transformed him into a passionate follower of Jesus. This experience convinced him that Christ's message was not solely for Jews but for all people.

• Mission to the Gentiles:
Unlike most of the original apostles, whose ministry initially focused on Jewish communities, Paul received what he understood to be a divine commission to preach the gospel to the Gentiles (non-Jews). He traveled extensively throughout the Roman Empire, establishing churches in cities across Asia Minor, Greece, and eventually reaching Rome itself. His missionary journeys are detailed in the Acts of the Apostles.

• Theological Contributions:
Paul’s writings—comprising many of the New Testament epistles—emphasize that salvation is offered through faith in Jesus Christ, not by adherence to the Mosaic Law. In letters such as Romans, Galatians, and 1 Corinthians, Paul argued that the gospel was a message of grace and inclusivity. This theological stance helped bridge the gap between Jewish and Gentile believers, fostering a more universal understanding of the Christian faith.

• Impact on Early Christianity:
By addressing issues of cultural and religious identity, Paul played a crucial role in shaping early Christian doctrine. His insistence that Gentile converts need not adopt all Jewish customs enabled the church to grow beyond its ethnic roots and become a global faith community. This shift was significant in establishing Christianity as a religion not limited by cultural or national boundaries.

In summary, Paul’s designation as the apostle of the Gentiles underscores his pioneering efforts to spread the message of Jesus Christ beyond Jewish communities. His life, journeys, and writings have had a lasting influence on the development of Christian thought and the expansion of the early church.

There is a belief that the prophecy of Hagar in Genesis 21, verse 18, holds more weight than Isaiah 60, verse 7, which is linked to and completes the former. How is this understanding conveyed?

The belief that the prophecy of Hagar in Genesis 21, verse 18, holds more weight than Isaiah 60, verse 7, which is linked to and completes the former, can be understood through a close examination of the biblical texts and their contexts. Here’s how this understanding is conveyed:

1. Genesis 21, verse 18 (The Prophecy of Hagar).

This verse is part of the story where God speaks to Hagar after she and her son, Ishmael, are sent away by Abraham. Hagar is distraught, fearing for her son’s life in the desert.

The verse reads: Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation."

This prophecy directly promises that Ishmael will become a great nation. This is a foundational promise, as it assures Hagar of her son’s future and his importance in God’s plan.

2. Isaiah 60, verse 7 (Completion of the Prophecy).

This chapter of Isaiah deals with the future glory of Zion, depicting a time of great prosperity and the gathering of nations to honor God.

The verse reads: "All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory."

Both Kedar and Nebaioth are descendants of Ishmael. This verse indicates the fulfillment and continuation of the promise given to Hagar, showing that Ishmael's descendants will play a significant role in the future worship and honor of God.

3. Interconnection and Weight:

The prophecy in Genesis 21, verse 18, is seen as having "more weight" because it is the initial divine promise regarding Ishmael, establishing his importance and future. It is a direct communication from God to Hagar at a crucial moment.

Isaiah 60, verse 7, is viewed as the completion or continuation of this promise. It confirms and elaborates on the fulfillment of God’s plan for Ishmael’s descendants, showing their eventual integration into the worship of God and their contribution to the glory of Zion.

The "weight" of Genesis 21, verse 18, lies in its foundational nature, while Isaiah 60, verse 7, provides a more detailed and expanded vision of the fulfillment of that initial promise.

This understanding is conveyed by recognizing that the original promise to Hagar is the cornerstone of the prophecy concerning Ishmael and his descendants.

The later prophetic vision in Isaiah builds upon this foundation, demonstrating the fulfillment of God's promise in a broader and more comprehensive way. Therefore, while Isaiah 60, verse 7 is significant in its completion of the prophecy, Genesis 21, verse 18, holds a primary and foundational weight in the narrative.

Some believe that Isaiah 60, verse 7, is related to the Hajj ritual, and is the fulfillment of Hagar’s prophecy regarding Ishmael in Genesis 21, verse 18. How is this interpretation presented?

This is an interesting question. The interpretation that Isaiah 60, verse 7, is related to the Hajj ritual and the fulfillment of Hagar's prophecy regarding Ishmael is based on the following assumptions:

The verse reads:

“All the flocks of Kedar will be gathered to you, The rams of Nebaioth will serve you; They will go up on My altar with acceptance, And I will glorify My glorious house.”

The flocks of Kedar and the rams of Nebaioth in Isaiah 60, verse 7, refer to the descendants of Ishmael, who was the son of Abraham and Hagar, and the ancestor of the Arabs. Kedar and Nebaioth were two of Ishmael's sons (Genesis 25, verse 13).

The altar and the glorious house mentioned in Isaiah 60, verse 7, refer to the Kaaba. The Kaaba is a sacred building in Mecca that has a cube shape. Muslims believe it was constructed by Abraham and Ishmael. It serves as the direction of prayer and is also the destination for the Hajj pilgrimage.

The acceptance of the offerings on the altar and the glorification of the house in Isaiah 60, verse 7, refer to Muslims performing their Hajj, known as the Feast of Sacrifice. This sacrifice is performed in remembrance of Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael and as a demonstration of submission to Allah's will.

Furthermore, it is a prophecy of God's acceptance and blessing of the Ishmaelites, who worship Him at the Kaaba in sincerity and submission, as He promised Hagar in Genesis 21, verse 18, "I will make him into a great nation."

This interpretation is presented by some Muslim scholars and commentators, who see it as a proof of the truth and validity of Islam and the Hajj ritual.

Significance of Kedar in the Bible

1. Kedar was the second son of Ishmael and grandson of Abraham (Genesis 25:13, 1 Chronicles 1:29). The name Kedar is used to refer to his descendants, a nomadic Arab tribe that lived in the northwest part of the Arabian peninsula.

2. The people of Kedar were known for their black goat hair tents, reflecting their nomadic lifestyle (Song of Songs 1:5). They were also skilled warriors and archers (Isaiah 21:16-17).

3. Kedar is mentioned several times in prophetic passages:

Isaiah uses Kedar as an example of a distant eastern country in contrast to Israel (Jeremiah 2:10).

Jeremiah and Isaiah prophesy the downfall and destruction of Kedar at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar and the Assyrians (Jeremiah 49:28-29, Isaiah 21:16-17).

Ezekiel notes that Kedar, along with Arabia, supplied lambs, rams and goats to the merchants of Tyre (Ezekiel 27:21).

4. In some passages, Kedar serves as a symbol:

Dwelling in the tents of Kedar represents living among hostile people far from the worship of God (Psalm 120:5).

The dark tents of Kedar are a metaphor for the beauty of Solomon's bride (Song of Songs 1:5).

5. Prophetically, Isaiah looks forward to a time when Kedar will worship God and be included in His kingdom (Isaiah 42:11, 60:7), signifying the universal scope of God's salvation plan.

6. In later times, the name Kedar came to be used more broadly for Arab peoples in general. Islamic genealogies trace Mohammed's lineage back to Ishmael through Kedar.

So in summary, Kedar was a prominent ancient Arabian tribe that had interactions with Israel and its neighbors. They are featured in prophecies of judgment as well as future blessing, and symbolically represent foreign peoples who will one day be brought into the worship of the true God. The references to Kedar give insight into the nomadic Arab cultures of Old Testament times.