The Pulpit Commentary — Genesis — Section 342

htrn through Abr1Llrnm, for Abraham's eake. 'fhe course of Ishmael's life illustratr.~ the contrust between a truly religious career and one given up to natural impulse. Cf. Esau and Joseph'e brethren.-R. Ver. 19.-Hagar in the wilderness. "And God opened her eyes, and she eaw a well of water." Hagar in the wilderness. Why? She had no pleasure in her home; would not accept her position there. Hence lehmael's mocking. Compare working of pride in Eden-" Ye sha!l be as gods;" and its result-Adam and Eve driven out. Observe-a soul despising the position of a child of God is driven into the wilderness by its own act. Pride rebels against terms of salvation (Rom. x. 3)- o. free gift to sinners seeking it as such (Mark ii. 17). Hagar felt her misery, liko many who find no peace. "All is Yanity." She eat down and wept. Did she cry to God? He had met her there before. Past mercies should move to trust (Ps. xiii. 6). But pride and unbelief hinder prayer (Exod. xvii. 3-6). But God had not forgotten her ( cf. Matt. xviii. 11 ). "What aileth thee?" Compare our Lord's dealing with those he helped. 1. Himself taking the first step. 2. Requiring a confession of their want. 3. Rousing expectation (John iv. 14 ; vii. 37). I. TnE WELL WAS NEAR HER, BUT SHE SAW IT NOT. So is it with the water of life. Why are so many without peace? The well is beside them; the sound of the gospel is famili:u to them. The Bible is read in their hearing, but it speaks nothing to them (2 Cor. iii. 15). Christ died for all (2 Cor. v. 14). His blood the ransom for all (1 John i. 7). We have not to go to seek a Saviour (Rom. x. 6-8). No sin too deep for cleansing, no sorrow too great for comfort; nothing required to give a right to trust him (Isa. Iv. 1 ; Luke xv. 2). ,vby without peace? The eyes are closed to the truth (1 Cor. ii. 14). Human teaching cannot give life (Ezek. :x:xxvii. 8). What is wanted is not a new fountain, but opened eyes. And it is disbelief of thi~ that keeps so many in anxiety. To them the well is not there; they want God to give it. They look for something they nre to do to find 11 Saviour. Importnnt to know what is wanted-spiritual discernment. 'fo many this seems a mere fancy ; but they whose eyes nre opened know it to be a pnssing from darknesa to light (cf. 2 Tim. i. 10). Words often read become full of new meaning. II. Goo OPENED HER EYES. It is blindness that causes trouble; but as blind can- not see by bis own will, so neither can the nnspiritual. The wny of salvation id before him, but while it commends itself to his reaRon it brings him no joy. Are we then without effort to sit still? No; all is ready on God's part. "Wilt thou be made whole?" Want of will alone hinders. Often men would like to drink, but not at God's foWltain. Make an effort to believe, and power will be given. Ill. WHAT SHE SAW. The well of life ; the revelation of Jesus Christ to the soul -this is peace. Not our own powers or wisdom, not onr own holiness or advnnce in gruce; but trust in him. No more fears. True, the wilderness is there; the work l111s to be done, temptations overcome, sorrows borne, graces cultivated; but we eaµ do all through Christ. Now troubles become helps (Ps. lxxxiv. 6), for they make us flee to Christ (2 Cor. xii. 9). And who can count the blessings revealed to biru whose eyes are opened? A Father in everything-protection, teaching, guidance. Everytliing surrounding him, every event that happens to him, are inlets of ever- increasing knowledge of God, whom to know is life eternnl.-M. Ver. 20.-God:s care for Ishmael. "And God was with the lad." The enc11mp- ment of Abraham was the scene of joy and festivity on the occasion of the recog- nition of Isaac publicly as his heir. It is snid in Jewish lore that Abraham called a number of the patriarchs to the feast, and th11t Melchizcdek, Nabor, and even Nonh were present. Ishmael had been heir-presumptfre up to th11t time. He wns then put in the position of a subject to the son of Sarah. He nnd his mo.her despised the weakling and nursling. They "mocked.'' 'fhis roused the indignation of Sarnh, und she insisted on the banishment of both. Abruhnm was very unwilling to con- sent to the proposal, for he had gre11t affection for Ishmael. No wonder that be loved him, for he w11s, if not the child of promise, ut leost the son who first roused in his breast the pride and joy of paternity. He seems to have hoped that Ishmuel would be the one through whom th~ greut bleseinge promised to him would he hcstoweJ.  1.'1-IE BOO}{ OF GENESIS. [err. XXI. 15-2].