Many Crickets and One Elephant
Many Crickets and One Elephant Ishmael, the son of Abraham, is a more interesting character than first meets the eye. In fact, for Gentiles, he is perhaps a more important figure, a more central figure, than even Jacob the grandson of Abraham. Consider these questions that arise from the scant details that we have of Ishmael’s life. 1-Ishmael was named by God before he was born. (OC Genesis 7:26) That is exceedingly rare in scripture and puts Ishmael in the company of men like John the Baptist and the Lord Himself. And of course the name Ishma-el suggests that he is part of the El. Even Abraham had to go through, and pass, certain earthly trials before being given a name by God. But Ishmael came pre-named. Does this suggest that he had already achieved a certain standing or relationship with God in a previous cycle of existence? 2-Both Jacob and Ishmael had twelve sons. Nowhere else in scripture do we read of a man thusly blessed. But both the son and grandson of Ab...