“And Abraham said to God, ‘Oh that Ishmael might live before you!’
God said, ‘No, but …’ ”
Two lines out of context. Allow me to supply some.
Abraham is once again
in conversation with God. This is the fifth time God has brought up the subject
of his covenant promises. Months or years are passing between each remarkable
event, but every time the Lord appears or speaks or encounters Abraham in a
vision, he elaborates further on what he intends to do on Abraham’s behalf. In
Genesis 12, he promises to make from him a great nation, give him a great name, bless the
whole world through him and protect him from his enemies. Each new encounter
provides details the previous ones did not.