Genesis 21:17-18 NIVUK
17 God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, ‘What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. 18 Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.’
From time to time I hear people share the well known saying ‘charity begins at home’. I’ve always struggled with that one. Yes, of course we’re called to care for our family, but it often feels like an excuse not to show concern for others who are not our family. This is not how God is. Here he hears the cries of Abraham’s son by his slave Hagar. God’s people will be those descended not from Abraham via Ishmael, but Isaac, Sarah’s son, they will be the people of the covenant. Despite this, God hears Ishmael’s cries and shows him compassion and much more. Is this, I wonder, a challenge to us to show extravagant compassion and generosity to those not in our family, not in the church?
Who is the Ishmael I’ve not heard crying? Show me and stir me into action today.
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