They instituted a custom, a seat of honor specifically for the "Messenger of the Covenant." And who is that messenger? None other than Elijah himself! The Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer tells us this is because Elijah is referred to as the "messenger of the covenant" in Malachi 3:1: "And the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in, behold, he cometh." It's a beautiful way to keep hope alive, a constant reminder of redemption.
Speaking of messengers and trials, let's delve into one of the trials faced by Abraham. This one involves his sons, Ishmael and Isaac. Remember, Abraham faced ten trials, each designed to test his faith and devotion to God.
This particular trial, the ninth one, is a bit unsettling. It all starts with Ishmael, who, as the Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer recounts, was born with the prophecy of the bow. And he grew up with it, becoming quite the archer. Genesis 21:20 tells us, "And God was with the lad, and he grew… and he became an archer."
Now, this isn't just about hunting for food. Ishmael, it seems, had darker intentions. One day, he saw Isaac sitting alone and took aim, shooting an arrow at him, intending to kill him! Can you imagine Sarah's horror when she witnessed this?
According to the Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, she immediately went to Abraham, relaying the terrible act Ishmael had committed. She then urged Abraham to write a will, ensuring that Isaac would inherit everything that God had promised him and his descendants. Sarah was adamant: "The son of this handmaid shall not inherit with my son, with Isaac," as she declared in Genesis 21:10, "Cast out this bondwoman and her son." This was a desperate act of protection, a mother's fierce love for her child in the face of grave danger.
It makes you wonder, doesn't it? What were the tensions simmering beneath the surface in Abraham's household? What drove Ishmael to such a violent act? And what kind of burden did this place on Abraham, torn between his sons and the divine promise? These ancient stories, they're not just history lessons. They're reflections on the complexities of family, faith, and the sometimes painful choices we have to make.