The story of Hagar and Ishmael in the Book of Genesis is one of the most moving and often overlooked accounts in the Bible. Hagar, the Egyptian servant of Sarah, became the mother of Abraham’s first son, Ishmael. But jealousy and conflict within Abraham’s household led to their exile into the wilderness. Alone and in despair, Hagar cried out to God—and God answered. The Lord promised that Ishmael too would become the father of a great nation, proving that no one is ever forgotten by God.
This video narrates the full account of Genesis 16 and Genesis 21, exploring Hagar’s faith, her struggles, and God’s mercy. While the world remembers Isaac as the child of promise, the story of Hagar and Ishmael shows us God’s compassion for those who are cast aside.
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A long time ago, Abraham and his wife Sarai had no children. Sarai had a helper named Hagar
from Egypt. One day Sarai told Abraham, take Hagar so she can have a child for us.
Abraham agreed and soon Hagar knew she was going to have a baby.
When that happened, she began to feel proud and did not respect Sarai. Sarai became upset and
treated her harshly, so Hagar ran away into the desert. By a spring of water, the angel of the
Lord found her and said, Hagar, where have you come from and where are you going? She replied,
I am running away from Sarai. The angel told her, go back and obey Sarai. You will have a son and
you will name him Ishmael because the Lord has heard your troubles. Your son will live freely
and be strong and he will dwell near all his brothers. Hagar was amazed and said,
you are the God who sees me. Later she gave birth to a son and Abraham named him Ishmael.
Years later, when Ishmael had grown, Sarai saw him and was unhappy with his presence.
She told Abraham, send Hagar and her son away. He will not share the inheritance with my son.
This made Abraham very sad, but God said, do not be troubled. I will make Ishmael into a
great nation because he is your son. Early the next morning, Abraham gave Hagar bread and water,
placed them on her shoulder along with the boy and sent her away. She wandered in the desert
until the water was gone. Hagar placed Ishmael under a bush and walked away saying,
I cannot watch my boy die. She sat down and wept, but heard the boy's voice.
The angel of God called from heaven. God has heard the boy. Go lift him up and hold him tight
for I will make him a great nation. God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water.
She filled the skin and gave Ishmael a drink. God was with Ishmael as he grew up. He lived in
the desert of Paran, became a skilled archer. And Hagar found him a wife from Egypt. Ishmael
had 12 sons who became leaders of their own tribes. He lived to be 137 years old. Then he died
and was gathered to his people. And his descendants lived across the land from Havilah to Shur,
near all his brothers.
