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WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT ISHMAEL AND HIS DESCENDANTS

By Alan Yusko

In this article we will be looking at what the Bible says about the descendants of Ishmael. They have a place in prophecy and are related to the Jews by a common father, Abraham. The Arabs or descendants of Ishmael will one day come into a position of blessing. Currently they are in bondage to a false religion called Islam. However, God is in control and the day will come when they will be delivered and enter into a period of blessing. In this article we will look at their history and their relation to the nation of Israel and the descendants of Isaac.

Here is an introduction from Eastons commentary:
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Ishmael God hears.

Abraham's eldest son, by Hagar the concubine (Genesis 16:15; 17:23). He was born at Mamre, when Abraham was eighty-six years of age, eleven years after his arrival in Canaan (16:3; 21:5). At the age of thirteen he was circumcised (17:25). He grew up a true child of the desert, wild and wayward. On the occasion of the weaning of Isaac his rude and wayward spirit broke out in expressions of insult and mockery (21:9,10); and Sarah, discovering this, said to Abraham, "Expel this slave and her son." Influenced by a divine admonition, Abraham dismissed Hagar and her son with no more than a skin of water and some bread. The narrative describing this act is one of the most beautiful and touching incidents of patriarchal life (Genesis 21:14-16).

Ishmael settled in the land of Paran, a region lying between Canaan and the mountains of Sinai; and "God was with him, and he became a great archer" (Genesis 21:9-21). He became a great desert chief, but of his history little is recorded. He was about ninety years of age when his father Abraham died, in connection with whose burial he once more for a moment reappears. On this occasion the two brothers met after being long separated. "Isaac with his hundreds of household slaves, Ishmael with his troops of wild retainers and half-savage allies, in all the state of a Bedouin prince, gathered before the cave of Machpelah, in the midst of the men of Heth, to pay the last duties to the 'father of the faithful,' would make a notable subject for an artist" (Genesis 25:9). Of the after events of his life but little is known. He died at the age of one hundred and thirty-seven years, but where and when are unknown (25:17). He had twelve sons, who became the founders of so many Arab tribes or colonies, the Ishmaelites, who spread over the wide desert spaces of Northern Arabia from the Red Sea to the Euphrates (Genesis 37:25,27,28; 39:1), "their hand against every man, and every man's hand against them."

Copyright Statement
These dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.

BIBLE PROPHECY RELATED TO ISHMAEL

In this section we will look at what the Bible says about Ishmael and his descendants. It is interesting to note that God told Hagar what name to give the child. God named Ishmael and the choice of a name was not his mother's. Below are verses describing his birth:

Genesis 16
10 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.

Here is a promise to Hagar that her seed would be multiplied exceedingly. The descendants that will be born from her seed will be so many that they cannot be numbered. Today there are over 200 million Arabs who are descendants to Ishamel.

11 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.

Here God tells Hagar what name to give the child. God named him Ishmael.

12 And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.

Here in God's foreknowledge a description is given of the character of Ishmael and his descendants. Notice that he will be a wild man who has trouble getting along with others. These qualities have been passed down to the descendants of Ishmael today, the Arabs.

13 And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?
14 Wherefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.
15 And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son's name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael.
16 And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.

Another thing to notice is that Abram is the father of Ishmael. It was later when God changed Abram's name to Abraham. So Abraham is the father of the Arab people through Ishmael and he is the father of the Jewish people through Issac.

Here we continue and read about the birth of Issac.

Genesis 17
17 Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?

Abraham was very old and Sarah was barren and unable to have any children. Yet God told Abraham that Sarah would bear him a son.

18 And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!

At first Abraham didn't believe God because of his and his wife's advanced age. Abraham also loved Ishmael and he asked God to make Ishmael the child of the promise.

19 And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.

God had other plans. He told Abraham that Sarah would have a son and that Abraham was to name him Issac. God gave names for both Ishmael and Isaac. God also told Abraham that his everlasting covenant would be confirmed through Isaac and not Ishmael.

20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.

God also confirmed to Abraham that He heard his request of blessing for Ishamel. God answered and said that Ishmael would be blessed, he would be fruitful, and that he would be multiplied.

21 But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year

God gave a different set of promises to Isaac and Ishmael. Ishamel had the promise of growing to a great nation and to multiply exceedingly. Isaac had other promises from God. Isaac was the child of the promise through whom, one day, the Messiah would come. Isaac was heir to Abraham and God's covenant was established through Abraham and Isaac. Also through Isaac would come the people and nation of Israel. I've read where Ishmael represents the Law and Isaac represents grace in typology. Ishmael was born of the bondwoman and represents the Law. Isaac was born of the freewoman and represents God's grace.

Next lets read more about Isaac from the Bible.

Genesis 21
5 And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him.

Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born. Sarah was in her 90's. Through a miracle, God had turned back Sarah's internal clock and enabled her to have a child.

6 And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.
7 And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? for I have born him a son in his old age.

Both Abraham and Sarah were very happy about the birth of their son, Isaac. Next we will read about the first signs of conflict between Ishmael and Isaac. This conflict continues to this very day!

8 And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned.
9 And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking.

There was a celebration feast for Isaac. Ishmael had little respect of love for Isaac and he was caught mocking him by Sarah.

10 Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac.

Sarah was very angry and this anger was building over time. She was upset from years ago that she could not have a baby and that Hagar could. After Ishmael was born Hagar dispised Sarah in her eyes and looked down at Sarah. This also produced very bad feelings and conflict between Sarah and Hagar. Finally, the last straw was when Sarah caught Ishmael mocking Isaac at his feast. Sarah went to her husband and told him to send Hagar and Ishmael away.

11 And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because of his son.

Abraham loved Ishmael and at first he didn't want to do this. He took the matter to God in prayer and God answered him.

12 And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.

God confirmed that this was His plan and that Abraham should heed his wife's advise. God repeated to Abraham that Isaac was the child of promise and the heir and not Ishmael.

13 And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed.

God also confirmed to Abraham that he would take care of Ishamel and make him a great nation. Abraham was aware of all God's promises given for Ishmael. Abraham obeyed God and sent Hagar and Ishmael away.

14 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beer-sheba.
15 And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs.
16 And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.

Hagar and Ishmael were sent away with just some bread and water. They lived in the desert so their supplies were used up quickly. When they could go as far as they could go, Hagar cried out to God for help and deliverance.

17 And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.

God quickly answered Hagar. This whole episode would also confirm to Hagar that God's will was being done and that He was still caring for herself and her son.

18 Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation.

Again God re-affirms the promise he made about Ishmael that he would grow to a great nation. God then showed her a well of water so they could drink and be refreshed.

19 And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink.
20 And God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer.
21 And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran: and his mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt.

Ishmael grew up in the wilderness. This is fitting for his nature since God said he was a 'wild man'. When he grew older his mother got him a wife out of the land of Egypt.

ROOTS OF CONFLICT IN THE MIDDLE EAST

As we have read Ishmael and Isaac never learned to get along. God separated them and gave each of them different promises. Even Sarah and Hagar could not get along.

Today in the Middle East there is great conflict. The Arabs are very hostile against Israel and seek their complete destruction. The descendants of Ishmael think that all the land is 'theirs'. However, they were never given any promise of land. Re-read the promises to Ishmael above and you will see that there is no promise whatsoever of land. Instead they are promised to be a great nation and to be multiplied exceedingly. On the other hand, the land of Israel was given to Abraham through Isaac and his descendants. The people of Israel have been given the land and they are the true owners of the land of Israel. This is the center of the problems of the Middle East today.

Another problem in the Middle East is the false religion of Islam that has bound in chains of darkness the descendants of Ishmael. With the Koran, the Muslims are making ownership claims to the land of Israel. In reality it is not their land but their religion compels them to totally uproot Israel. The very integrity of their god, Allah, is at stake while Israel exists on so-called "Islamic land". The good news is one day God will deliver the descendants of Ishmael from this false religion of Islam. I don't know how God will do this but one day it will be done. As we have read, God has made many promises to Ishmael and his descendants. God will not destroy or cast them all away. Instead the day will come when they will be delivered from the false religion of Islam. One strong testimony against Islam is the Divine protection given to the nation of Israel. There have been several wars in Israel since they became a nation in 1948. Each time Israel was attacked with the goal of their complete destruction. However, each time God intervened and enabled the people of Israel to defeat their enemies. They won battles against tremendously impossible odds. All this is a slap in the face and an affront to the god of Islam, Allah. One day I would expect the Arabs to wake up and realize the god of Islam (Allah) is no match for the God of Israel. So far the god of Islam and it's followers have been very powerless against Israel. At some point this will shake up the faith of many Muslims.

PROMISE OF THE LAND TO ISAAC

Let's look quickly at some of the promises of the land of Israel. These promises were directed to Abraham and his seed through Isaac (not Ishmael).

Genesis 13
14 And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:
15 For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.
16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.
17 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.

Here we read of the land promise given to Abraham. God promises Abraham land and many descendants.

Below is the birth of Isaac and promises of the covenant between God and Abraham and Isaac.

Genesis 17
1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.
3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,
4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.
5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.
6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.
7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.
8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.
...
Genesis 17
21 But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.

Notice verse 21 above. The covenant and promise of the land is with Isaac (not Ishmael). This is the center of the current Middle East conflicts. The descendants of Ishmael think they have a right to the land but in reality they do not. The land of Israel is given to Abraham, Isaac and their descendants. The Arabs are wrong and have no Biblical basis for a claim for the land God has given to Israel!

JEWS ARE COMING HOME

Today we are witnessing the return of the Jews from all the nations of the earth from where they were scattered. They were scattered by God because of their sin, disobedience, and rejection of God. They were scattered, disciplined but not rejected or forsaken. The eternal promises given to Abraham, Isaac, and David still hold fast. God keeps His Word. Today we are seeing the results of God keeping His Word as the Jews return to their homeland of Israel!

The Jews are coming home from the four corners of earth. God is bringing Jews home to Israel from every nation of the world. Here is what the Bible says:

Notice in the above verses that the children of Israel will be brought back to the land of Israel from:

- Various nations (Isa 11:11)
- Islands of the sea
- Four corners of the earth

This didn't happen in the Babylon dispersion as they came back from one country, Babylon! But now since the 1900's God has been bringing back the Jews from all over the world to the land of Israel! We have a direct fulfillment of the Word of God going on in the world!

Hosea 3
4 For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and [without] teraphim:
5 Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.

Hosea is interesting. It sure describes Israel for the last 2000 years. They have been desolate with no Temple, no sacrifice for sin, and no king. We are living in the days of verse 5 (afterward) when God is bringing them back home to Israel. When will it occur....in the latter days (we are now in the latter days). They will also accept their Messiah at the end of the 70th week or the time of Jacob's trouble (the Tribulation period which occurs after the rapture) when the Lord Jesus returns to earth.

Where shall the children of Israel come from when they are restored to their land? From one nation (Babylon) as in the first captivity of Israel? No, they will literally come from the four corners of the world!

Isaiah 43
5 Fear not: for I [am] with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;
6 I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;

The Jews will come from all over the earth! From the north, the south, the east, and the west is where God will bring the returning Jew back to Israel. This is happening right now as God is calling the Jew back home. How many have eyes to see this direct fulfillment of Bible prophecy?

They are coming back home into the land that God gave to Abraham, Isaac and their descendants. The fact of Israel's existence is a testimony to the faithfulness of the promises of God. Right now many are back in the land of Israel in a state of unbelief toward God. The day is coming when Israel will be saved and become followers of the Lord Jesus. First, Israel will be restored but in a spiritual state of unbelief. Later, after the 7 year tribulation period, Israel will be restored spiritually as the receive and accept their Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ.

THE PALESTIAN'S CLAIM

Currently ,the whole world is in turmoil over the city of Jerusalem. Almost daily the news items of the day focus on the problems related to Israel and Jerusalem. This is a direct fulfillment of Bible prophecy found in Zechariah.

Zechariah 12
1 The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.
2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.
3 And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.

Such a tiny city and a tiny nation when compared to the world! Yet God says in the last days Jerusalem will become a major issue! This is happening right now before the eyes of the world! This is another direct fulfillment of Bible prophecy for all to see. But, how many have eyes to see?

JUDGMENT ON THE EDOMITES

Arafat and the current Palestinians (PLO) have made claims to the land of Israel. Arafat and the PLO however are not the descendants of Ishamel. Instead they are Edomites and are descended from Esau who was the older brother of Jacob. Esau is the man who rejected God and dispised his birthright by selling it to Jacob for a bowl of soup. Here is what the Bible has to say about the descendants of Esau:

Obadiah 1
18 And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble, and they shall kindle in them, and devour them; and there shall not be [any] remaining of the house of Esau; for the LORD hath spoken [it].
19 And [they of] the south shall possess the mount of Esau; and [they of] the plain the Philistines: and they shall possess the fields of Ephraim, and the fields of Samaria: and Benjamin [shall possess] Gilead.

So far the above prophecy has not been completely fulfilled. The house of Esau have never been completely destroyed. The current number one trouble-maker in the Middle East is an Edomite. That person is Arafat. The PLO children are raised to hate with a desire to kill and destroy the people and nation of Israel. These people are currently strapping on nail bombs and going into public places to blow themselves up hoping for maximum civilian carnage. They blow themselves up in public restaurants and market places. Innocent men, women, and children are murdered and maimed by these who do these things in the name of Allah. Then afterward their family celebrates the death of their martyred family member. This is evil and murderous behavior! This is another testimony to the world about the character of the god of Islam, Allah.

According to the Bible the destruction and judgment is coming to the Edomites. This destruction will come by the nation of Israel which God will use to judge the Edomites. When or how exactly the above verses in Obadiah will be fulfilled is only known by God. It could very well happen very soon as the Middle East heads into war in these last days.

Arafat and the Edomites have made several claims about ownership of the land of Israel. It is all based on lies and myth and fabrication. However, if a lie is repeated loud enough and often enough, soon people will start to believe it! This is certainly true concerning the Palestinian Myth.

Below is a quote of a portion of an article that addresses the Palestinian Myth. Quoted portion from:

The Palestinian's Myth By Jeff Jacoby December 16, 2001

Palestinian Myth:
There was the myth in a nutshell: Palestine used to belong to the Palestinians, who ruled it from their capital in Jerusalem until the Jews swarmed in and drove them out. That is the root of all the violence and grief and until the Palestinians can return to their homeland, the violence and grief will go on.

The truth is rather different.

The truth is that there was never an Arab country of Palestine and that Palestinian Arabs were never a nation. The truth is that Jerusalem was never the capital of any Arab state or province. The truth is that in all of recorded history, only one people has ever made Palestine west of the Jordan a sovereign nation-state with Jerusalem as its capital: the Jews. So closely was Palestine associated with Jews, in fact, that in the years before Israel's birth, those who spoke of "Palestinians" were usually referring to the region's Jewish residents. Arab leaders rejected the notion of a unique Palestinian Arab identity, insisting that Palestine was merely a part of "Greater Syria." Not that they saw Palestine as much of a prize in any case. Until the Zionist enterprise got underway, Palestine was stagnant and mostly barren. Its Arab population was small and declining. With Jewish development, however, came economic opportunity and better living conditions, which, in turn, attracted huge numbers of Arab immigrants from beyond Palestine's borders.

Yet, if the Arabs didn't consider themselves Palestinians, they nevertheless ended up with most of Palestine. When the Ottoman Empire was broken up after World War I, the Allies carved a raft of new Arab countries from its territory, reserving only Palestine to fulfill their promise of a Jewish national home. Then, in 1922, Great Britain severed the 77 percent of Palestine that lay east of the Jordan River and created yet another Arab country - today's Jordan. Three-fourths of historic Palestine is sovereign Arab territory, and has been barred to Jews for 80 years. Arabs displaced by war from one part of Palestine have always had the rest of Palestine to resettle in - if only their Arab brethren would permit it.

The Arab myth of an ancient homeland stolen by Jews is dramatic and affecting, but it is still a myth. The Jews, meanwhile - the real Palestinians - try to live on just the sliver of land that lies between the river and the sea. Yet even that is too much for their neighbors, who cannot abide a Jewish state of any size. On the day it was born, they tried to wipe it out. They have been trying ever since.
---- END OF THE QUOTE ----

Since the day God allowed the creation of the nation of Israel, May 1948, the Arabs have sought to destroy them. We are not talking about peaceful co-existence. We are talking about the complete destruction of the nation of Israel. Every time Israel has enlarged its borders has been a direct result of the victory in a war against those who seek their destruction.

The Palestinian Myth has been successfully used to change world opinion against Israel. It has also been used as a tool to unite the enemies of Israel with a common goal. Then throw in the religion of Islam with it's god, Allah, to add to the confusion. Israel is a thorn in the side of the Islamic religion because their existence is an insult to Allah and the Koran. The end result is severe problems in the Middle East that will not be easily solved.

Related to the Palestinian myth is the word "occupation". The Arabs claims Israel occupies Palestinian territory. On the news you always hear the word "occupied territory" or something related with the word "occupy" in it. Again this claim is related to the Palestinian Myth that they own all the land. They do not and they are in fact squatting on land that belongs to Israel. God is the true owner of the land and He has given it to the descendants of Abraham and Isaac. Israel has a legitimate right to be in their homeland. All others are in reality "occupying" land that belongs to Israel.

JORDAN IN PROPHECY:

The nation of Jordan is composed of three ancient tribes: Moab, Ammon, and Edom. The Moabites and Ammonites are the descendants of Lot's immoral daughters. The Edomites are the descendants of Esau who is Jacobs twin/God rejecting brother.

These people have always, historically, been at odds against Israel. One day Israel will possess the land of Jordan as its own land. How will that happen? Probably through another war in the region. In God's time it will certainly happen and Israel will again expand it's borders.

Here are some verses related to Israel and Jordan.

Jeremiah 49
1. Concerning the Ammonites, thus saith the LORD; Hath Israel no sons? hath he no heir? why [then] doth their king inherit Gad, and his people dwell in his cities?
2 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will cause an alarm of war to be heard in Rabbah of the Ammonites; and it shall be a desolate heap, and her daughters shall be burned with fire: then shall Israel be heir unto them that were his heirs, saith the LORD.

Isaiah 11
11 And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.
12 And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.
13 The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim.
14 But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines toward the west; they shall spoil them of the east together: they shall lay their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them.

JUDGMENT ON DAMASCUS

The nation of Syria will also be coming into judgment in the coming days. They have been anti-Israel since Israel became a nation in 1948. Here is what the Bible says:

Isaiah 17
1 The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.

The above prophecy has never been fulfilled. Damascus has never been completely destroyed. It still exists today as the capital of Syria. However, one day it will cease to be a city. The above description "be a ruinous heap" sounds like the damage that would occur with a nuclear blast. Again, this judgment will occur in God's time. But this prophecy could be fulfilled in the next regional Middle East war.

EGYPT IN PROPHECY:

What does the Bible say about Egypt in Prophecy? What will Egypt's role be in the last days. Read the following for some clues as to what will happen in the days ahead. Remember Ishmael married an Egyptian girl.

Isaiah 19
4 And the Egyptians will I give over into the hand of a cruel lord; and a fierce king shall rule over them, saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts.

The fierce king will be the antichrist who is yet to come on the world scene. He will be free to rise to power after the rapture of the Church.

5 And the waters shall fail from the sea, and the river shall be wasted and dried up.
6 And they shall turn the rivers far away; [and] the brooks of defence shall be emptied and dried up: the reeds and flags shall wither.
7 The paper reeds by the brooks, by the mouth of the brooks, and every thing sown by the brooks, shall wither, be driven away, and be no [more].
8 The fishers also shall mourn, and all they that cast angle into the brooks shall lament, and they that spread nets upon the waters shall languish.

The above verses indicate a judgment on the waters of Egypt. This can be done with the dam that is currently on the Nile.

9 Moreover they that work in fine flax, and they that weave networks, shall be confounded.
10 And they shall be broken in the purposes thereof, all that make sluices [and] ponds for fish.
11 Surely the princes of Zoan [are] fools, the counsel of the wise counsellors of Pharaoh is become brutish: how say ye unto Pharaoh, I [am] the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings?
12 Where [are] they? where [are] thy wise [men]? and let them tell thee now, and let them know what the LORD of hosts hath purposed upon Egypt.
13 The princes of Zoan are become fools, the princes of Noph are deceived; they have also seduced Egypt, [even they that are] the stay of the tribes thereof.
14 The LORD hath mingled a perverse spirit in the midst thereof: and they have caused Egypt to err in every work thereof, as a drunken [man] staggereth in his vomit.
15 Neither shall there be [any] work for Egypt, which the head or tail, branch or rush, may do.
16 In that day shall Egypt be like unto women: and it shall be afraid and fear because of the shaking of the hand of the LORD of hosts, which he shaketh over it.

Egypt will have troubled leadership. Fools for leaders who cannot lead or guide the nation in the way it should go.

17 And the land of Judah shall be a terror unto Egypt, every one that maketh mention thereof shall be afraid in himself, because of the counsel of the LORD of hosts, which he hath determined against it.

Israel will strike fear into the hearts of the Egyptians in the days to come. There will be more wars and Israel will literally become a terror to Egypt. Right now as this article is being written (2002), Egypt has counted itself among the enemies of Israel. It has already participated (and lost) in several wars against Israel.

Although there are dark days ahead for Egypt, they will eventually turn back to the Lord and enter into a time of blessing.

18. In that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt speak the language of Canaan, and swear to the LORD of hosts; one shall be called, The city of destruction.
19 In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD.
20 And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a saviour, and a great one, and he shall deliver them.
21 And the LORD shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and perform [it].
22 And the LORD shall smite Egypt: he shall smite and heal [it]: and they shall return [even] to the LORD, and he shall be intreated of them, and shall heal them.
23 In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians.
24 In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, [even] a blessing in the midst of the land:
25 Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed [be] Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.

Egypt will enter a day of great blessing. However, that will not occur until after the Lord Jesus returns. Before that time Egypt must go through very troubled days which lie ahead in the near future...

THE COMING RUSSIAN INVASION ASSISTED BY ISHMAEL

In the coming days the nation of Russia will mount a massive attack against the nation of Israel. Assisting them will be several nations including the descendants of Ishmael (Persia). Below is an account of this attack. It will occur at some point after the rapture when Israel is living in a time of peace and safety. Obviously those days of safety do not currently exist so I wouldn't expect this attack with the current problems in the Middle East. Here is a description from the Bible of the attack on Israel:

Ezekiel 38
2 Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him,
3 And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:
4 And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords:
5 Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet:
6 Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee.
7 Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them.
8 After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.
9 Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee.

As you can see above, Russia will have many allies when the attack on Israel occurs. What will be the result of this attack? The Lord Himself will defend Israel. In this battle Israel will have no need whatsoever for a military response. The Lord from Heaven will fight this battle. Below is a description of the Lord's response to this attack:

EZEKIEL 38
18 And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, that my fury shall come up in my face.
19 For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel;
20 So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.
21 And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord GOD: every man's sword shall be against his brother.
22 And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.

As you can see God will react quite violently to this attack on His land of Israel. Later the Bible indicates that 5/6 of the invading army will be destroyed. One possible outcome of this attack on Israel would be the end of the Islamic religion and it hold of bondage on the descendants of Ishmael.

GOD HAS A TIME

With the current Middle East conflict there will be attacks against Israel from the descendants of Ishmael and the Edomites. However, God has a time of judgment. As we read above the Edomites will be judged and wiped out as a people. The city of Damascus will be destroyed. One day Israel will expand her borders and encompass Jordan. Even Egypt will enter into a time of judgment with God for its murderous intentions against Israel. At some future time Russia will mount a massive attack against Israel which will be destroyed by direct intervention by God.

Right now (2002) the Middle East is literally a powder-keg waiting to explode. There are many rumors of impending war. The enemies of Israel have non-conventional weapons using chemical and biological agents. The USA has recently been casually talking about using nukes on an attack against Iraq.

Historically when the Arabs and enemies of Israel were ready to war against Israel, they did. We could very well see another war in the region in the coming days. The stakes are higher with the acquisition of chemical and biological weapons. This means Israel will be very quick to use their nuclear option. We could very well see the destruction of Damascus and some of the other above listed prophecies fulfilled.

ISRAEL WILL NEVER BE DESTROYED AS A NATION AND A PEOPLE

Amos 9
14 And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them.
15 And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the LORD thy God.

We are living in these days now described by the above verses. The children of the covenant with Abraham and Isaac (Israel) are being brought back into their homeland of Israel. They will never be destroyed. Israel still has a time of terrible tribulation during the 7 year reign of the antichrist to endure, but they will never be destroyed as a nation and a people.

CONCLUSION

In this tract we have looked at the promises given by God to Ishmael and to Isaac. We have seen that they are very different promises. Ishmael is blessed with many descendants but no land promise whatsoever. Isaac has the land of Israel as part of his promise and covenant with God. Isaac was also heir to Abraham and included in the covenant with God. The roots of the Middle East conflict can be seen by the claim of the descendants of Ishmael on the land God gave to Isaac.

Also the descendants of Ishmael are currently in bondage to the false religion of Islam. The existence of Israel is an insult to the god of Islam, Allah. Therefore, according to Islam, Israel must be removed from the land. This also is part of the current conflicts in the Middle East. We also mentioned that one day God will deliver the descendants of Ishmael from the religion of Islam and Allah.

We have also shown that God has given the land of Israel to the descendants of Abraham and Isaac. Today God has returned many Jews back to the land of Israel from all parts of the world. They will never be destroyed as a nation and as a people.

The descendants of Ishmael have promises from God and will not be destroyed as a people. One day the descendants of Ishmael will live in peace with the descendants of Isaac. That day will be when the Messiah, the Lord Jesus, returns to earth to rule and reign. Until that day of true peace is reached, there will be many dark and dangerous days ahead!

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