Yes, Isaac is the promised son because God explicitly chose him, declaring that Sarah would bear him and that His covenant would be established with Isaac.
Genesis 17 records God's direct promise that Sarah would bear a son named Isaac, and that God's covenant would be with Isaac, not Ishmael. Les Feldick emphasizes that Ishmael was born from Abraham and Sarah's fleshly impatience, not from God's promise, and that God's sovereign 'I will' statements make Isaac the son of promise.
Genesis 17:19 — This verse directly records God's declaration that Sarah will bear Isaac and that the covenant will be established with him, not Ishmael.
According to Genesis 17:15-19, God changed Sarai's name to Sarah and promised, "I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her." When Abraham laughed and asked that Ishmael might live before God, God replied, "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." God's covenant is explicitly established with Isaac, not Ishmael. Genesis 17:20-21 further shows that while God blessed Ishmael—making him fruitful and a great nation—the covenant was to be with Isaac, whom Sarah would bear at a set time.
Les Feldick teaches that Isaac is the son of promise because he was born through God's direct promise, while Ishmael was a result of Abraham and Sarah's impatience and fleshly reasoning. After 50 years of waiting, they turned to the pagan custom of using a surrogate (Hagar), leading to Ishmael's birth. Les emphasizes that Ishmael is after the flesh, but Isaac is the son of promise. God's repeated "I will" statements in Genesis 17 are promises that cannot fail, regardless of Abraham and Sarah's ages. Les also notes that God did not cast off Ishmael—He blessed him and made him a great nation—but the covenant promises were placed on Isaac alone.
Les explains that after about 50 years of waiting for God's promised son, Abraham and Sarah became impatient. Sarah suggested following the pagan custom of using a surrogate mother, and Abraham quickly agreed. This led to the birth of Ishmael through Hagar, the slave girl. Les notes this was a fleshly idea, not the fulfillment of God's promise.
In Genesis 17:15-19, God promised that Sarah would bear a son named Isaac, and that He would establish His covenant with him for an everlasting covenant. Les highlights that this was a repeated promise—God kept saying "I will"—and even though Abraham and Sarah lost sight of it, God's promise was certain.
Yes. In Genesis 17:20, God promised to bless Ishmael, make him fruitful, multiply him exceedingly, and make him a great nation. Les points out that the Arabs outnumber the Jews 50 to 1 today, showing God's blessing. However, in verse 21, God clarifies that His covenant would be established with Isaac, not Ishmael.
Background: Abraham and Sarah's Impatience
Les explains that after 50 years without a child, Abraham and Sarah turned to the pagan custom of using a surrogate, leading to Ishmael's birth.
Ishmael After the Flesh, Isaac the Son of Promise
Les teaches that Ishmael was born after the energy of the flesh, while Isaac was the son of promise, because God kept promising and every 'I will' was a guarantee.
God's Promise to Sarah and the Choice of Isaac
Les walks through Genesis 17:15-19, showing that God changed Sarai's name to Sarah, promised her a son, and explicitly said the covenant would be with Isaac, not Ishmael.
The Sovereign God's Covenant with Isaac
Les emphasizes that God is sovereign and declares He will establish an everlasting covenant with Isaac and his seed, not with Ishmael.
Abraham's Plea for Ishmael
Les explains that Abraham asked for Ishmael to live, fearing God would take his life, but God responded by reaffirming that Sarah would bear Isaac.
God's Blessing of Ishmael and Covenant with Isaac
Les teaches that God blessed Ishmael greatly and made him a great nation, but the covenant was established with Isaac alone.
The Birthright Explained: Why God Chose Jacob Over Esau
My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year. And He left off talking with him, and God went up from Abraham. Now let's jump back to chapter 25, not losing sight of the fact that only through Isaac will the covenant promises be valid.
God's 'I Will' as a Promise
Les underscores that when God says 'I will,' it is a promise that will happen regardless of circumstances, citing God's promise of Isaac as an example.
Genesis 17:19: 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.
This verse explicitly names Isaac as the son through whom the covenant will continue, directly answering the question.
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 shows God's blessing on Ishmael, yet it is separate from the covenant promise.
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 reinforces that the covenant is with Isaac, not Ishmael.
No, Isaac is the promised son because God specifically chose him in Genesis 17:19, declaring that Sarah would bear him and that the covenant would be with him. Ishmael was born first but was not the child of promise.
Yes, God blessed Ishmael and promised to make him a great nation (Genesis 17:20). However, the covenant promises were established only with Isaac (Genesis 17:21).
Watch the Teaching: Jacob Becomes Israel — What Romans 9 Says About True Faith