Have you ever considered your legacy?
I recently officiated a funeral for a disciple of Jesus. Family member after family member told his faith in Jesus. His children and grandchildren recited story after story about their dad/granddad, who told them of the Lord’s goodness to him. There was no doubt where he stood with Jesus. His legacy was lived through his life.
Genesis 25:1-11 records that Abraham had died after a long life. Isaac and Ishmael came together to honor him. The promise to Abraham included that his lineage would be countless. As we continue in Genesis 25, we read how this lineage unfolds through Ishmael in Genesis 25:12-18.
12 This is the account of the family line of Abraham’s son Ishmael, whom Sarah’s slave, Hagar the Egyptian, bore to Abraham.
Genesis 25:12-18, New International Version
13 These are the names of the sons of Ishmael, listed in the order of their birth: Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, 14 Mishma, Dumah, Massa, 15 Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish and Kedemah. 16 These were the sons of Ishmael, and these are the names of the twelve tribal rulers according to their settlements and camps. 17 Ishmael lived a hundred and thirty-seven years. He breathed his last and died, and he was gathered to his people. 18 His descendants settled in the area from Havilah to Shur, near the eastern border of Egypt, as you go toward Ashur. And they lived in hostility toward all the tribes related to them.
This is another one of those passages in the Bible where we’re tempted to turn the page while thinking, “Oh, that’s neat.” But we’d be missing some important truths behind this passage.
We find the Lord keeping His promise—even to the marginalized. The Lord promised Hagar (Ishmael’s mother) that Ishmael would be a great nation (Genesis 16:10 and 17:20). This passage demonstrated the Lord keeps His word.
We are also reminded that the Lord is King over all nations and over history. While Ishmael wasn’t the promised child to Abraham and Sarah, Ishmael’s descendants became significant nations.
We find the fulfillment of prophecy. The Lord said Ishmael and his descendants would live “in hostility toward all his brothers” (Genesis 16:12).
In a real sense, this passage sets the stage for ongoing conflict between Ishmael’s and Isaac’s descendants. We see this same conflict today.
This brief genealogy reminds us that everyone leaves a legacy. We will spend the rest of Genesis—nearly the entire Bible, really—seeing what happens to the descendants of Isaac. But this short passage gives us a glimpse into the descendants of Ishmael. Ishmael’s line became nations. His legacy far outlived him.
What we pass on, spiritually or physically, continues after us. Do we live with that realization? We’re passing on our values in our lives. We’re creating our legacy every day.
What kind of legacy are you leaving? Will it reflect trust in God, or conflict and independence?
Live with a vision beyond yourself. Leave a legacy of faith in the Lord.
Life Meets Theology 