[Coach]

TM,

>For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave
>woman and the other by the free woman. His son by the slave
>woman was born in the ordinary way; but his son by the free
>woman was born as the result of a promise.
>But what does the Scripture say? "Get rid of the slave woman
>and her son, for the slave woman's son will never share in the
>inheritance with the free woman's son." Therefore, brothers,
>we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free
>woman.
>Gal 4:22,23,30,31

Free woman or not, Hagar was the LEGAL wife of Abraham (PBUH) and was given to him by his wife (Genesis 16:3.). Genesis 16:3 tells us that she was a LEGITIMATE wife and the Bible also says that one should NOT discriminate among his children ...

"If a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated, and they have born him children, both the beloved and the hated; and if the firstborn son be hers that was hated:

"Then it shall be, when he maketh his sons to inherit that which he hath, that he may not make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of the hated, which is indeed the firstborn:

"But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his." (Deutronomy 21:15-17.)

What do we learn from these verses? That...

- If a man has two wives, one hated and one loved and the hated one has the older son then her son should get DOUBLE inheritance because he is "the neginning of his strength, the right of the first-born is his".

We all know that the OT is older than the NT and that Galatians was letters written by Paul. OT which deals with teh story of Abraham PBUH tells us that one should not discriminate but Paul who wrote the Galatians tells us that the child of a slave woman is not worth the same as the child of a free woman. Which carries more weight in your eyes?

TM, tell me here for I am a bit confused...part of the Bible (the same OT) says that one SHOULD NOT DISCRIMINATE and you just posted a part that says that one SHOULD DESCRIMINATE, which is the right one to follow?



PS: The Bible also says that Sarah and Abraham PBUH are from ths ame father (of blood relation), what is this about, can you explain further? Does Christianity allow two people from the same father to get married?




>
>>2. Which of the sons of Abraham (Ishmael or Isaac) was to be
>>offered as sacrifice according to the Christian faith?
>
>Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you
>love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a
>burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."
>Gen 22:2


Now that you've quoted the above verse, how is one to concile it with the verses that say that Isaac was not even born when the covenant was made and the males were circumsiced? How do you explain this (Read below)?

"And Abraham was ninety years old and nine when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. In the selfsame day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael his son. And all the men of his house, born in the house, and bought with money of the stranger, were circumcised with him." Genesis 17: 24-27

- Abraham 99 years
- Ishmael 13 years
- Covenant and circumcision took place


If you read further at Genesis 21:4-5 you will see taht Isaac was born a year after the covenant was mady and aftert eh circumcision of the males of Abraham's household had taken place...

"And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him. And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him."

- Abraham 100 years
- Ishmael 14 years
- Isaac just born and was circumcised later when he reached 8 years old



Abraham was also told regarding Ishmael in Genesis 21:18...

"Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation."



Galatians actually goes against OT because God is said to have blessed Ishmael with twelve princes and bring forth a great nation...

"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." (Genesis 17:20.)