The Pulpit Commentary — Genesis — Section 379

HOmLETICS. Yers. 12-18. -The gene?·ations of IslimG£-l, or the biograp/iy of a prince. I. THE l'RINCE's NA.ME. Ishmael. 1. The si,gniji,cance of his name. "God hears." It was thus a perpetual reminder to its bearer of a grand religious truth, that God is essentially a hearer of prayer, and that he is never far from any of his intelligent and needy creatures. 2. The occasion of his getting it. (1) Before his birth, because the Lord had heard the affliction of his mother. (2) At his birth, because his father believed the report of Hagar conceming the instruction of the angel. 3. The vei·i- ji,cation of his name. When he lay beneath-the shrub God heard the voice of his distressful cry ( eh. xxi. I 7). II. THE PRINCE'S LINEAGE. Abraham's son. That-(1) Proclaimed Ms dignity. Though not a prince in the Church, he was a prince in the world, being Abraham's immediate descendant. Grace runs not in the blood, earthly rank does. (2) Bespoke hi.s privilege. Jehovah reckoned it a great thing for Ishmael that he was Abraham's seed. To be the offspring of those who are exalted in earthly station is a special honour, though not so great an honour as to be descended from those who are eminent in grace. (3) Implud his Te&J!Onsibility. Degrees of rank in society are of God's ordaining, and involve the recipients thereof in corresponding obligations (Luke xii. 48). Ill. THE PRINCE'S FAMILY. 1. Princdy in rank. This quality they received by birth, being lshmael's sons. 2. Many in number. They were twelve princes, and as such they developed into large and flourishing tribes and nations. This charac- teristic was due to grace, God having promised that kings and nations should spring from Hagar's son. 3. Influential in power. The twelve princes mentioned were powerful chieftains of as many clans. IV. THE PRINCE'S DEATH. 1. The time. At 137 years. 'l'he days of all, even of princes, in this life are numbered. 2. The manner. " He expired." "There is no man that hath po,ver over the spirit to retain the spirit" in the day of his death. 3. The result. "He was gathered unto his people,'' passing to the company of tliose who were like-minded with himself in the unseen world, as Abraham went to enjoy the society of those who were of kindred spirit with him. V. THE PRINCE'S DOMINIONS. "His lot was cast in the presence of all his brethren," i. e. liis empire was-I. Outside of Canaan. He had no part or lot in the inherit- ance of Issac. Neither have the world's princes as such any share in the horitago of heaven's peers. 2. Among the tribes of earth. And so the worldly man's portion is of the earth, earthy. . , . . . . See-I. llow comparatively ummportant the worlds b1ograph1es are m the JU?g• mcnt of the Spirit. 2. How the children of the wicked often o_utnumber the offsprmg of the pious. 3. How it is appointed unto all men once to die, though not to all to die alike. 4. How certain it is that the wicked and the good shall be sepurated after death, since at death both are gathered unto their respective peoples. 5. llow clearly and minutely Gou fulfils the promises he makes to wicked men no loss than to good. C:11. XXV. 10-26.] TIIE BOOK OF GE~ESIS. 317