“Abraham married another wife, whose name was Keturah. She gave birth to Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. Jokshan was the father of Sheba and Dedan. Dedan’s descendants were the Asshurites, Letushites, and Leummites. Midian’s sons were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. These were all descendants of Abraham through Keturah. Abraham gave everything he owned to his son Isaac. But before he died, he gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them off to a land in the east, away from Isaac. Abraham lived for 175 years, and he died at a ripe old age, having lived a long and satisfying life. He breathed his last and joined his ancestors in death. His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, near Mamre, in the field of Ephron son of Zohar the Hittite. This was the field Abraham had purchased from the Hittites and where he had buried his wife Sarah. After Abraham’s death, God blessed his son Isaac, who settled near Beer-lahai-roi in the Negev. This is the account of the family of Ishmael, the son of Abraham through Hagar, Sarah’s Egyptian servant. Here is a list, by their names and clans, of Ishmael’s descendants: The oldest was Nebaioth, followed by Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These twelve sons of Ishmael became the founders of twelve tribes named after them, listed according to the places they settled and camped. Ishmael lived for 137 years. Then he breathed his last and joined his ancestors in death. Ishmael’s descendants occupied the region from Havilah to Shur, which is east of Egypt in the direction of Asshur. There they lived in open hostility toward all their relatives.”
Genesis 25:1-13, 15-18 NLT
Abraham was a very successful man. This is true by both worldly standards and godly standards. This is also apparent in the life that he lived and what he had to give. In the end. Despite being a relatively unknown man, with no legacy, he died a man with a handful of sons and a magnitude of wealth and power. It cannot be overstated that following God, even as sloppily as he did at times, has major consequences for our lives. It cannot take people of normal means and normal futures and catapult them into being the father of many nations. However, Abraham’s successful faith journey must also be taken with caution. Abraham’s tale ends with the statement that all of his children were prosperous in some way. But it also states that Ishmael’s children lived in open conflict with their relatives. In other words, Abraham’s choices to manage God’s plan according to his own understanding and timing created a legacy of division. The Jewish people may not have started the conflict they find themselves in, to this day, but their father certainly did. It is sad that Abraham’s triumph and victory in life has a sour aftertaste that must be noted in his summary. It is a cautionary tale we must take heed of, as we too, live in God’s favor.
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