What did Abraham ask God about Ishmael in Genesis 17 and how did God answer him?
Abraham asked God that Ishmael might live before Him. God answered that Sarah would indeed bear Abraham a son, to be called Isaac, and God would establish His everlasting covenant with Isaac and his seed after him. The covenant promise centered on Isaac.
Les points back to Genesis 17:18, where Abraham said to God, “Oh, that Ishmael might live before thee.” But God said, “Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed, and thou shalt call his name Isaac.” Les emphasizes that this is a promise because God said “I will.” Even though Abraham and Sarah may have lost sight of it, God’s promise was going to happen. Les applies the same certainty to God’s promises concerning Israel: God has promised to return and be their king and give them the kingdom, and it will happen because God has said it. Man does not go on God’s timetable and gets impatient, but with the eternal God time means nothing. God also says He will establish His covenant with Isaac for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.
And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!
And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.
More Questions
Why did Abraham ask God if Ishmael could live before him?
Abraham's plea that Ishmael might live before God shows Abram coming back to the energy of the flesh.
What was God's promise to Abraham about Sarah bearing a son?
When God told Abraham that Sarah would bear a son and he would be called Isaac, that was a promise.