CRITICAL NOTES.—
Genesis 25:12. These are the generations.] Forms the eighth document so commencing.—
Genesis 25:16. By their towns, and by their castles.] “The former are unwalled collections of houses or perhaps tents; the latter fortified keeps or encampments.” (Murphy.) Kalish renders the clause, “By their villages and by their tents.” The Arabs are divided into two classes, the wandering Bedouins, living in tents; and those who dwell in towns and villages.—
Genesis 25:17. The years of the life of Ishmael; an hundred and thirty and seven years; and he gave up the ghost and died, and was gathered unto his people.] Ishmael’s death is here recorded by anticipation. It happened forty-eight years after Abraham’s death, and when Isaac was one hundred and twenty-three years old.—
Genesis 25:18. He died in the presence of all his brethren.] Heb. He fell, or, it fell to him. The meaning seems to be, he had settled down, or, fallen into the lot of his inheritance, according to the prediction. (Genesis 16:12.) He was unsubjugated by his brethren though dwelling beside them.—
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Genesis 25:12-18
THE GENERATIONS OF ISHMAEL
This history illustrates the following truths:—
I. That those who are not appointed to the most honourable place are yet cared for by Providence. Ishmael was rejected as heir to the birthright, yet God was providing great things for him in the future. A mighty nation ruled by princes was to spring from him. Their roving and military character, their persistence, in spite of enemies and perpetual wars, is an evidence of their wonderful vitality. The control and the favours of Providence were not confined to the chosen people. God’s dealings with the human race reveal the benevolent equity of Providence.
II. That Providence affords encouragements for the support of faith and virtue. The full accomplishment of the prophecies regarding Ishmael was not yet, for they stretched over long periods of time. But they were in course of being fulfilled. Events were opening up and pointing to the end indicated by prophecy. Already twelve princes, with their sovereignties, had sprung from Ishmael (Genesis 25:16). According to the promise made to Hagar, Ishmael died in the presence of all his brethren (Ch. Genesis 16:12). Thus the first steps were taken towards the fulfilment of those promises made to his mother to sustain her drooping spirits, and to his father to reconcile him to the casting out of his first-born son (Genesis 16:10-12; Genesis 21:18; Genesis 17:20; Genesis 21:13). God fulfils so much of His word as is necessary for the encouragement of his people. They have an earnest of their inheritance, and find that in keeping, as well as after keeping His commandments there is great reward.
III. That the faithfulness of Providence may be proved on different lines. We point to the past and present condition of the Jews as proofs of the truth of the Bible. We have a proof equally strong in the past and present condition of the descendants of Ishmael. The inextinguishable life of this people is a perpetual witness to the faithful word of God. These are converging lines, all pointing to the truth of Revelation.
SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS ON THE VERSES
Genesis 25:12. The historian, having adverted to the blessing of God upon Isaac, here pauses before proceeding with the sequel of his history to show how exactly the promises made to Ishmael (Ch. Genesis 17:20) were also fulfilled. His descendants, like those of Isaac, branched out into twelve tribes, and constituted the bulk of the population which spread over the Arabian peninsula.—(Bush.)
Genesis 25:13-16. Twelve princes, princes of their tribes, as was promised (Genesis 17:20). See here what God can do for a poor boy sent out with a bottle of water on his back. God “setteth the solitary in families” (Psalms 68:6). “He raiseth the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set him among princes” (1 Samuel 2:8).—(Trapp.)
Genesis 25:17. Ishmael lived an hundred and thirty-seven years. His death is here recorded by anticipation. It took place forty-eight years after Abraham’s death, and when Isaac was one hundred and twenty-three years old. We may suppose that Ishmael died in the faith of his father Abraham, according to the patriarch’s prayer for him.—(Jacobus.)
Genesis 25:18. He had his dwelling and the territory of his descendants alongside of his brethren, and unsubjugated by them.—(Jacobus.)