Ishmael and Isaac
Mark Grasso
There are two ways in which we can consider Ishmael and Isaac in the context of the two natures. From the historical perspective, they both had a fallen (old) nature, and one of them (Isaac) received a new nature. If they are viewed symbolically (or typically), Ishmael typifies the old nature and Isaac typifies the new nature. This article explores the latter view.
Genesis 16 records the events which led to Ishmael’s conception and birth. In summary, they were activities of Abraham’s flesh (seeking to bring about God’s promise by his own efforts) carried out in a fleshly way (taking his wife’s bondmaid as a second wife and sleeping with her). As Galatians 4 puts it, Ishmael ‘was born according to flesh’ (vs. 23, 29). Even 2,000 years later, Ishmael was still portrayed by reference to what led to his birth. God never suggested that he would cease being associated with his origin (the flesh), let alone that he could or would develop into the son of promise. As we know, such changes never took place.
By contrast, Isaac was ‘born … through the promise’ — i.e. solely by virtue of God’s gracious fulfilment of His earlier promise to Abraham (Gen. 15; 17; 21). As a result, he was, and is, seen as having come ‘according to Spirit’ (Gal. 4:23, 29).
Abraham’s sons illustrate the truth of John 3:6: ‘that which is born of the flesh is flesh’ (Ishmael); and ‘that which is born of the Spirit is spirit’ (Isaac). The stark distinction between the two sons is reflected in the complete differentiation and variance between what has its origin in the flesh (the old nature) and that which is born of the Spirit (the believer’s new nature). The two have nothing in common (see also Rom. 8:6–8). Ishmael was the descendant of a mere man and was born as a result of the desire of Abraham’s flesh and his plan — or, to apply the language of John 1:13, he was ‘born … of blood, … of flesh’s will, … of man’s will’. God had no part in it. When it came to Isaac, however, God did everything. Because he was God’s miraculous gift to Abraham and Sarah when their bodies were old, Isaac was ‘born … of God’, and therefore provides a picture of the result of new birth. As already stated in this magazine, new birth involves something wholly new and from a new source. The Lord’s words in John 3 contain no thought of something already in existence being changed or improved.
Genesis 21 indicates that there was a public celebration of Isaac’s birth when he was weaned (i.e. when he was still very young). However, the one born of the Spirit had been born into a setting in which the one born according to flesh was already present. Ishmael responded to the presence of the heir by mocking him. Accordingly, his behaviour shows that he was indeed ‘flesh’. Further, the fact that this is the first record of Ishmael sinning emphasises his deep opposition to the one who was God’s gift to Abraham and Sarah by the operation of His Spirit. This setting gives us a picture of what is true for every believer while we remain on this earth. We have the old nature, which is born of the flesh and remains flesh (represented by Ishmael), and has no prospect of improvement, and, following new birth (God’s operation in us through His Spirit), we also have a new nature (represented by Isaac). The former is not eradicated; rather, the two are opposed to each other (Gal. 5:17), just as Ishmael persecuted Isaac (4:29); and in terms of practical experience, we might only discover the continued existence of the old nature and its true character after we recognise that we have the life of Christ Himself in us and seek to live accordingly.
The birth of Isaac did not mean that Ishmael was no longer Abraham’s son. However, given his opposition to Isaac, it was untenable for Ishmael to have any role in Abraham’s household. The heir was the only one who deserved honour. Accordingly, Ishmael had to be cast out (Gen. 21:10; Gal. 4:30), although he remained Abraham’s son (see Gen. 25:9). Ishmael being cast out speaks of the importance of our recognising that the old nature has been judged in God’s sight and has no place in His desires for us, and, in light of this, our not allowing any room for the flesh to have an active role in our lives. The flesh remains with us while we are on earth (or, viewed from a more positive perspective, until we are with the Lord). However, we are responsible to cast it out so that it has no part in our walk. As with many practical aspects of our lives, this is achieved by both negative and positive steps: putting to death, putting off, mortifying, self-judgment and the like, and putting on, yielding members to God and so on (as explained in other articles).
While we remain on earth, will we ever achieve a state where the Spirit does not lust against the flesh? No. Galatians 5 is different from Romans 7. The enjoyment of deliverance is possible, as the end of Romans 7 makes clear (and was addressed in this magazine in issue 2 of 2014). However, the flesh remains within us. It will always desire to do the things in which it takes pleasure. In God’s grace, one of the blessings resulting from the Holy Spirit indwelling us is that the Spirit will always oppose the flesh to keep us from fulfilling its lusts (Gal. 5:17). If we do not recognise within us the struggle between the Spirit and the flesh, the appropriate conclusion to draw is not that we no longer have sin in us, which would be false (1 John 1:8), or that we have achieved some lasting victory over the flesh, but rather that we are not walking in the Spirit, with the result that the Spirit is not able to oppose the flesh. New birth was not intended by God to lead us to become complacent, let alone arrogant. Rather, as we recognise how bad the flesh is, we should become more grateful for what the Lord’s work on the cross has already done for us in God’s sight, for the gift of the new nature which delights to keep His commandments, and for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who is strong enough to oppose the flesh and bring out in us that wonderful fruit which manifests Christ (Gal. 5:22–23).
Truth and Testimony, 2023