New Church Life September/October 2017 | Page 32

Salvation by Means of a New Heart and a New Mind A Sermon by the Rev. Eric H. Carswell Lessons: Genesis 21:8-14, Arcana Coelestia 2657 (portions) T Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, scoffing. Therefore she said to Abraham, “Cast out this bondwoman and her son; for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, namely with Isaac.” (Genesis 21:9-10) his story from Genesis may seem to be a simple case of family rivalry. Sarah having finally had a son of her own was not going to put up with Ishmael, Hagar’s son -- and the oldest legal heir – making fun of her son, Isaac. She wanted both Hagar and Ishmael sent away. It might seem to be a case of personal jealousy or intolerance, but as sh