What did Ishmael's mocking of Isaac actually look like?
Ishmael, about eighteen, mocked five-year-old Isaac by relentlessly teasing and taunting him, treating the little child as a 'tail ender' and teasing him to death. It was not mere innocent play but an expression of the same rebellious and taunting attitude.
Les explains that when Isaac was five years old and weaned, Ishmael was about eighteen. At that point the same attitude of rebellion and taunt appeared again. Genesis 21:9 records that Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom Hagar had borne to Abraham, mocking. Les clarifies that this was simply Ishmael teasing that little five-year-old to death, much like teenagers can treat the 'little tail enders.' It was not a minor incident; it reflected the same rebellious and taunting attitude seen earlier when Hagar taunted Sarai, and it fits God's big-picture program, for Les emphasizes none of this comes by accident.
And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking.
More Questions
What does Genesis 21:9 say Sarah saw Ishmael doing?
Genesis 21:9 records that Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, Ishmael, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking.