[Music] [Music] have you ever wondered why the Middle East the birthplace of many great civilizations has been a place of almost constant conflict for thousands of years why do countries like Israel and Palestine along with many Arab nations continue to fight with little hope of peace why do Sunni and Shia Muslims who share the same faith often struggle with deep divisions and hostility why do Muslim nations seem to be always at war the answers to these questions are found in an ancient prophecy a message from God recorded in the Bible that still influences the world today to understand this we must travel back in time thousands of years ago to a dry and barren desert where a young woman named Hagar lived she was not a princess or a queen but a servant in the household of Abram and Sarai later known as Abraham and Sarah sarah was unable to have children which was a source of great sadness and frustration for her in those days having children was very important especially for continuing a family's name and legacy so Sarah gave her servant Hagar to Abraham to have a child on her behalf this was a common practice back then though it often led to complicated feelings hagar became pregnant but instead of joy her pregnancy caused jealousy and bitterness in Sarah haggar was treated harshly and felt unwanted in her pain she ran away into the wilderness a harsh and empty place where survival was difficult and uncertain but in that vast wilderness where the horizon seemed endless and hope thin a divine encounter forever changed the course of human history an angel of the Lord appeared to Hagar beside a spring of water and spoke words heavy with destiny and mystery return to your mistress and submit to her i will increase your descendants so much that they will be too numerous to count then came a prophecy that was as haunting as it was revealing you are now pregnant and you will give birth to a son you shall name him Ishmael for the Lord has heard of your misery he will be a wild donkey of a man his hand will be against everyone and everyone's hand against him and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers genesis 16:11 to2 pause for a moment and let those words sink in a wild donkey of a man what does that mean in the ancient world wild donkeys symbolized untamed freedom fierce independence and a spirit unwilling to be broken or bound unlike domesticated animals that live under human control the wild donkey roamed freely unpredictable often stubborn and prone to causing trouble to call Ishmael a wild donkey of a man was to mark him and by extension his descendants as people destined to live beyond the boundaries of settled civilization fierce in their independence often causing trouble wherever they go and frequently defiant then comes the more troubling part his hand will be against everyone and everyone's hand against him this was not a mere description of personality but a prophetic outline of a life lived in conflict and tension ishmael and his descendants the prophecy suggests would constantly find themselves in opposition engaged in battles disputes and struggles that would span generations it is as though the very bloodline born from this moment would carry a legacy of unrest troubled souls and finally he will live in hostility toward all his brothers this phrase pierces the heart of the narrative ishmael's brothers refers directly to Isaac and his descendants the children of Abraham through Sarah isaac's lineage would become the foundation of the Jewish people and through them Christianity and Islam would also trace their spiritual roots the relationship between these brothers is not simply familial it represents the deeper centuries long rivalry between peoples faiths and nations that would come to define much of Middle Eastern history this divine prophecy spoken in the dust and heat of an ancient desert is the seed from which the complex often painful story of the Middle East has grown it is a spiritual truth that transcends politics and ethnic divisions pointing to a cosmic drama of identity destiny and divine purpose but who was Ishmael really why does his story matter so deeply and how has this ancient pronouncement echoed through the corridors of time to shape the conflicts we see today to answer these questions we must first step beyond the surface of history and scripture into the realm of meaning symbolism and the enduring human quest for belonging ishmael was the firstborn son of Abraham chosen patriarch of three of the world's largest religions Judaism Christianity and Islam yet Ishmael was born not of Sarah Abraham's wife but of Hagar a servant woman this difference between child of promise and child of the servant carved a gap that history has struggled to bridge when Isaac was born a miracle in the lives of Abraham and Sarah it became clear that God's covenant the sacred promise to Abraham that his descendants would become a great nation would be fulfilled through Isaac not [Music] Ishmael this decision by God introduced a divine selection that would impact families tribes and nations forever the tension between Ishmael and Isaac their mothers and their descendants is not just a family drama it is the foundation for a profound historical and spiritual conflict it is the invisible thread that weaves through wars religious divisions and territorial disputes it is the echo of a prophecy that continues to shape lives today and yet within this prophecy lies a paradox though Ishmael is destined for struggle and conflict God does not abandon him he promises to bless Ishmael to make him the father of a great nation to hear the cries of the lonely servant woman and her son this mix of blessing and difficulty promise and trouble freedom and conflict is where the story of the Middle East begins as we begin this journey prepare to see the familiar history of the Middle East through new eyes eyes that see the spiritual roots beneath the surface the divine whispers behind the roar of conflict and the ancient truths that still pulse beneath the sands of time the story of Ishmael and Isaac is more than a tale of two brothers it is a profound narrative about destiny legitimacy and the unfolding of God's covenant with humanity to understand why conflict has shadowed their descendants for thousands of years we must journey deep into the heart of this ancient family drama a drama that shaped not just bloodlines but the spiritual and geopolitical landscape of entire civilizations imagine the tent of Abraham in the vast desert plains a place where divine promises met human weakness abraham was a man chosen by God to be the father of many nations his name itself means father of a multitude the promise God made to Abraham was staggering from him would spring nations as numerous as the stars in the sky and through his descendants the world would be blessed genesis 17:4-6 but this promise was not without its challenges and complexities it came with the blessing of Isaac his son by Sarah the woman of his covenant and the birth of Ishmael his son by Hagar the servant the birth of Ishmael while a product of human desperation and cultural customs was nevertheless a divine act god heard Hagar's cries and blessed her son promising a great nation from his lineage yet Ishmael was not the child of the covenant isaac miraculously born to Sarah in her old age was the chosen heir the son through whom God's covenantal blessings would flow this distinction planted the seeds of an eternal rift and enmity to the natural eye Ishmael was the first born the rightful heir according to tradition but spiritually and covenantally Isaac held the birthright the tension between these two realities would manifest not just in family disputes but in the fate of nations the biblical narrative portrays a moment of divine instruction filled with painful clarity god told Abraham "Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned." Genesis 21:12 abraham's heart must have wrestled with this truth his firstborn son would not carry forward the covenant rather it would be the son born through his wife Sarah sarai's jealousy and the harsh treatment of Hagar were a reflection of this tension a visible expression of the invisible spiritual and emotional gap and division ultimately Abraham was commanded to send Hagar and Ishmael away into the wilderness this separation was not a rejection but a necessary act in the divine plan one that would set Ishmael's descendants on a separate often troubled path but the story does not end with separation it is crucial to understand that Ishmael's destiny was not one of abandonment or curse on the contrary God reassured Hagar in the desert "I will make him into a great nation." Ishmael's descendants though apart from the covenant were to become a powerful numerous people a promise that echoes in the vast Arab tribes and peoples who trace their lineage back to Ishmael this family rift between covenant and birthright blessing and exclusion became the blueprint for centuries of struggle and rivalry the descendants of Isaac through Jacob later named Israel would form the Jewish people keepers of the covenant and the land promised by God the descendants of Ishmael who are the Arab people would spread across the Arabian Peninsula and beyond and never to know peace this division was never merely about territory or politics it was a spiritual and existential division a clash of identities forged in the fire of divine promise and human choices it is a rift that religion culture and history have magnified and complicated judaism views Isaac and his descendants as the chosen people carrying the legacy of the covenant christianity emerging from Jewish roots also reveres Isaac's line as central to God's unfolding plan of salvation islam tracing its spiritual heritage to Ishmael through Abraham holds Ishmael and Hagar in deep reverence recognizing Ishmael as a prophet and ancestor of the prophet Muhammad yet this spiritual kinship has not prevented the tensions and conflicts that arise from competing claims and interpretations this ancient birthright dispute is a key to understanding why peace remains elusive in the Middle East and many Islamic nations the legacy of Ishmael and Isaac is one of intertwined blessing and rivalry a legacy that permeates religious narratives cultural identities and geopolitical realities the struggle between Ishmael and Isaac's descendants is not just recorded in dusty ancient scrolls it is alive today in the enduring conflict between Israel and its Arab neighbors in the sectarian divisions between Sunni and Shia Muslims in disputes over sacred lands and contested histories but beneath the politics and religion lies a deeper story one of human longing for recognition justice and divine favor each side carries wounds from centuries of hurt a profound sense of identity shaped by promises and perceived betrayals this profound family drama between Ishmael and Isaac sets the stage for the unfolding history of nations a history written in blood faith and hope echoing the divine prophecy spoken over Hagar centuries before the story of Ishmael and Isaac begins as a family tale but grows into a large history that is tied to faith and destiny the prophecy given about Hagar's son was not just a private message it became a plan that shaped many peoples and civilizations to understand the roots of the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and many Islamic countries we need to follow how these old promises turned into nations empires and lasting legacies ishmael's children born while he was living in the wilderness grew in number and spread across the Arabian deserts the Bible says Ishmael had 12 sons who became leaders of great tribes genesis 25:13-16 these tribes form the base of the Arab people diverse proud very independent and often organized by tribe the wild donkey spirit describes their nomadic way of life free roaming self-reliant and often in conflict with their neighbors and even among themselves at the same time Isaac's family line through Jacob later called Israel became the 12 tribes of Israel chosen to inherit the promised land their story told in holy scriptures is about their special relationship with God full of struggles exile and hope for return the two families Ishmael and Isaac grew into nations with different paths but shared history their lives crossed many times sometimes peacefully but often with fighting as both work to survive and find their place history shows many fights as the prophecy said "His hand is against everyone and everyone's hand is against him." Ishmael's tribes often fought each other the Bible tells many stories of battles betrayals and changing friendships showing this difficult background over the centuries new religions grew from these old roots judaism kept its special bond through Isaac christianity grew from the same background focusing on Jesus Christ and Islam began by tracing its roots through Ishmael seeing him as a prophet and ancestor islam started in the 7th century CE and changed the religious map but old rivalries did not disappear the Arab tribes came together under Islam and spread quickly across lands still divisions appeared inside Islam especially between Sunni and Shia Muslims disagreements that reflect deep religious and political conflicts and mirror the old tensions between relatives the Middle East became a place where empires and faith met persians Romans Bzantines Ottomans and Europeans all ruled parts of it each added to the complicated and ongoing conflicts jerusalem holy to Jews Christians and Muslims became a key place of struggle symbolizing the long-standing brotherly fights spoken of long ago in modern times these struggles grew stronger the fall of the Ottoman Empire European control the creation of Israel and the displacement of Palestinians added new wounds on old ones many wars happened arab-israeli wars civil wars in Arab countries sectarian violence and conflicts involving world powers still despite the violence and pain Ishmael's prophecy is both a blessing and a struggle his descendants became a large strong nation with rich culture but their history is full of conflict inside and outside they have never known peace the prophecy is more than history it speaks about a people connected by fate and choice freedom and limits pride and pain the wild donkey spirit means not just fighting but also survival a stronghold on identity and hope for respect and peace as we look further we will see how these old prophecies still affect today's politics identities and hopes of millions standing at the intersection of history in the present moment we see the powerful and often painful legacy of the ancient prophecy spoken to Hagar still unfolding across the Middle East and much of the Islamic world the image of Ishmael as the wild donkey once a symbol of fierce independence and untamed freedom now often reveals itself in ongoing conflicts deep-seated divisions and complex political struggles these conflicts are not merely disputes over land or power they are struggles over identity faith and the unresolved tensions passed down through thousands of years one cannot discuss these modern conflicts without turning first to the heart of the controversy the Israeli Palestinian conflict jerusalem a city sacred to Jews Christians and Muslims alike stands as the spiritual and political epicenter of this struggle both Israelis who trace their heritage to Isaac and Palestinians who are traditionally seen as descendants of Ishmael claim this land as their rightful inheritance but their claims are far more than territorial they are about faith history and a sense of belonging that is deeply woven into the identity of both peoples the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948 marked a turning point for many Jewish people it was the fulfillment of an ancient promise a return to their ancestral homeland after centuries of exile and persecution yet for Palestinians and many Arabs it resulted in loss displacement and a deep sense of injustice the wars of 1948 1967 and the conflicts that followed have created an ongoing cycle of violence and mistrust the suffering on both sides loss of life homes and security is immense and often overshadowed by political rhetoric and deep historical wounds this conflict is the clearest modern expression of the prophecy ishmael's descendants living with their hand against everyone particularly in opposition to their brother's descendants it is a painful fulfillment of the divine word spoken millennia ago a legacy of conflict passed from father to son but the story of conflict extends far beyond Israel and Palestine across the Middle East civil wars sectarian violence and political upheaval have shaped the lives of millions the Syrian civil war which began in 2011 devastated a nation creating a humanitarian catastrophe and turning the country into a battleground for various factions and foreign powers the sectarian divisions at the heart of this conflict between Sunni rebels and the Shiialled government reflect the ancient tensions that began with disputes over leadership and faith within Islam itself the war in Yemen is another tragic example there fighting between the healthy rebels largely Shia and a Saudiled Sunni coalition has resulted in one of the worst humanitarian disasters of the 21st century millions face famine disease and displacement as this proxy war between regional powers drags on these conflicts fueled by political ambitions religious differences and historical grievances carry the imprint of the ancient family feud amongst the descendants of Ishmael the divisions are not only external but internal fighting within the Arab world itself between different religious sects and political factions often with devastating consequences the Sunni Shia split one of the most significant religious divisions in Islam originated over disagreements about who should lead the Muslim community after the death of Prophet Muhammad this division remains a source of intense rivalry and violence in many countries from Iraq and Lebanon to Bahrain and Pakistan it exemplifies the prophecy's warning that Ishmael's descendants would have their hand against everyone even their own brothers the question remains can the generations living now and those to come overcome the divisions foretold so long ago can the children of Ishmael and Isaac set aside hostility and embrace their common humanity though the prophecy spoke of conflict it also leaves room for hope a hope that peace is possible that reconciliation can heal old wounds and that a new chapter can be written after tracing the long and often painful journey of Ishmael and Isaac's descendants from ancient desert prophecy to modern-day conflicts we arrive at a question that resonates deeply with all who seek understanding and hope is there a way beyond this cycle of hostility can peace ever truly be achieved between these peoples whose histories are so intertwined and yet so divided the answer lies within the same divine narrative that revealed the struggle in the first place while the prophecy given to Hagar foretold conflict and hardship it also contained the seeds of blessing and hope god did not abandon Ishmael nor his descendants in Genesis 17:20 God tells Abraham "As for Ishmael I have heard you i will surely bless him i will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers he will be the father of 12 rulers and I will make him into a great nation as we reflect on the long and difficult history between the descendants of Ishmael and Isaac we recognize the deep spiritual roots that have shaped their journey one marked by blessing struggle and longing yet beyond the conflict of division lies a greater hope one that points to the transformative power of Jesus Christ the promised savior of all humanity the descendants of Ishmael many of whom follow Islam have experienced centuries of hardship conflict and spiritual confusion the divisions and hostilities that have persisted for so long are painful reminders of the brokenness in the world but God's desire has never been for his children to remain divided or lost in conflict the Bible tells us that Jesus Christ came to bring salvation peace and reconciliation to all people he is the prince of peace isaiah 9:6 who offers a new life one free from the chains of hatred fear and spiritual darkness the call of the gospel is for every person including the descendants of Ishmael to turn away from their sins to receive forgiveness and to embrace Jesus as their Lord and Savior we hold the prayerful hope that one day many among the descendants of Ishmael will recognize the truth of Christ's love and sacrifice that they will come to know him personally finding peace that surpasses all understanding this salvation is not about rejecting heritage or culture but about receiving new life in Christ becoming part of God's family and sharing in his eternal promises in Jesus the old divisions between peoples are overcome he unites all believers as one body breaking down walls of hostility and creating a new humanity reconciled to God and to one another the hope of the gospel is that the descendants of Ishmael and Isaac alongside all peoples might walk together in the light of Christ's peace and love this is the true fulfillment of the ancient promise a future not defined by conflict but by unity in Christ where former enemies become brothers and sisters and the wounds of history are healed may this hope inspire us all to pray work and share the love of Jesus so that the day will come when peace reigns in the Middle East and throughout the world