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Ishmael’s Rage

The Danish cartoons depicting the image of the Muslim Prophet Mohammad is just the latest ignition switch for the rage of the Muslim world against seemingly everyone else. However, as you read or hear the headlines about the daily torchings and fire-bombing of Western Embassies by Muslim mobs, do not fail to note the prediction of an all-knowing God about these latter day events during His creation of the Muslim lineage outlined in the first Book of the Bible: The angel of the LORD also said to her (Hagar - Abram’s wife's maidservant): "You are now with child and you will have 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 16:11-12; italics mine) So Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram gave the name Ishmael to the son she had borne. (Genesis 16:15)

Ishmael through Abram (who’s name God later changed to Abraham), was the father of today’s Muslim community.

It is with these next verses of scripture however, that the stage was being set by God, for the history of conflict that is continuing today to be played out in hostility all over the world: …And Abraham said to God, "If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!" (Genesis 17:18); Here is God's reply:…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 twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation. But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you by this time next year." When he had finished speaking with Abraham, God went up from him. (Genesis 17:20-22) God chose not to establish His covenant with the line of Ishmael despite Abraham’s understandable request for his first-born. God instead established His covenant with Isaac (the father of Israel through Abraham). Hence the centuries-old blood war between the Arabs and the Jews, through whom God sent the Savior of mankind – Jesus Christ.

A perfect brew of hostility through which Satan (Jesus’ paramount enemy) has worked, to bring the world to the brink of total destruction. However, read your Bible, there is so much more to come.

(All scripture courtesy of the NIV Bible)

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