God promised that Ishmael would be exceedingly multiplied, become a great nation, and beget twelve princes.
In Genesis 17:20 God tells Abraham, 'I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.' Les Feldick teaches that this prophecy was fulfilled, noting that Arabs outnumber Jews 50 to 1 and possess the world's oil. However, God also made clear that His covenant would be established with Isaac, not with Ishmael.
Genesis 17:20 — This verse is the direct prophecy God gave concerning Ishmael's descendants—multiplication, a great nation, and twelve princes.
Genesis 17:21 — This verse clarifies that God's covenant was established with Isaac, distinguishing Ishmael from the line of promise.
In Genesis 17:20, God responds to Abraham's plea for Ishmael and says, 'Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.' This is the clearest prophecy about Ishmael's descendants: they are to be numerous, organized under twelve tribal leaders, and form a great nation. Immediately following, in Genesis 17:21, God distinguishes Ishmael's blessing from His covenant: 'But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.' Thus, while Ishmael receives a promise of earthly greatness, the covenant line continues through Isaac.
Les Feldick emphasizes repeatedly that Ishmael was born after the energy of the flesh. Abraham and Sarai, impatient for the promised son, used Hagar as a surrogate, and so Ishmael is 'the natural son' but not 'the son of promise.' Despite that, God graciously dealt with Ishmael. Les quotes Genesis 17:20 and says God did what He promised: 'Twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.' He points to the modern Arab world as evidence, saying Arabs outnumber Jews 50 to 1 and possess the world's oil. Les also explains that this creates the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The Arab world claims to be the true children of Abraham because the Koran places the covenant promises on Ishmael rather than Isaac. Yet Les stresses that the covenant was deeded to Israel through Isaac. He further notes that Paul uses Ishmael and Isaac as an allegory in Galatians 4, with Ishmael standing for law and legalism, and Isaac standing for grace.
God said, 'I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation' (Genesis 17:20). Les Feldick quotes this verse directly and stresses that God did exactly that.
No. God said, 'But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year' (Genesis 17:21). Les Feldick points out that Ishmael was the son of the flesh, while Isaac was the son of promise, and this distinction runs all the way through Scripture.
Yes. Les says the Arab world claims to be the true children of Abraham and therefore the rightful owners of the Holy Land, because the Koran puts the covenant promises on Ishmael rather than Isaac. He also notes that Israel's land is promised and deeded to the nation of Israel. Meanwhile, he acknowledges that the Arabs have been blessed by God—they outnumber the Jews and have vast oil wealth.
Who is the Angel of the Lord? Genesis 16 Bible Study
have you ever noticed that always He comes back and answers with a question? And I think we can learn from that. When you're talking to people, instead of just simply hitting them with something, put them on the soapbox by asking a question. And then you'll start getting feedback, and it's amazing what you'll find out. And so the Lord does that over and over. You remember He did it with Adam.
Abraham's Impatience and Ishmael's Birth
Les explains that Ishmael came from Abraham and Sarah's impatience and that the Arab world today claims the covenant promises belong to Ishmael, fueling the Middle East conflict.
Ishmael Born After the Flesh
Les shows that Ishmael was the result of the energy of the flesh, not the son of promise, and that this distinction must not be lost throughout Scripture.
God's Promise Concerning Ishmael
Les quotes Genesis 17:20 and says God promised to multiply Ishmael exceedingly, make him a great nation, and give him twelve princes—and God did.
Israel's Title Deed
Les says the land is promised and deeded to the nation of Israel, even though he empathizes with the Arab people who now call it home.
Ishmael Sent Away
Les notes that Ishmael would not live under the same roof as Isaac, and Paul uses this as an allegory: Ishmael stands for legalism, Isaac for grace.
Ishmael as the Energy of the Flesh
Les clarifies that Ishmael was born in response to fleshly wishes, never commanded by God, and is always the picture of human effort.
God's Blessing on Ishmael
Les quotes God's words to Abraham about Ishmael being blessed, made fruitful, multiplied exceedingly, and becoming a great nation, and says God has fulfilled this.
Genesis 17:20: And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.
This is the direct prophecy answering the question about Ishmael's descendants.
Genesis 17:21: But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.
This clarifies that God's covenant promise goes through Isaac, not Ishmael.
God told Abraham that He would bless Ishmael, make him fruitful, multiply him exceedingly, and that twelve princes would beget from him, resulting in a great nation (Genesis 17:20).
Yes. Les points out that the Arabs outnumber the Jews 50 to 1 and possess the oil wealth of the world, showing that God blessed and multiplied Ishmael's descendants as promised.
No. Les Feldick teaches that Ishmael was born after the flesh because Abraham and Sarah were impatient. Isaac was the son of promise, and God's covenant was established with Isaac, not Ishmael.
Watch the Teaching: Who is the Angel of the Lord? Genesis 16 Bible Study