Abraham and Isaac (18-22)

B. Abraham and Isaac (18-22)

The decisive action of the Abraham cycle takes place surrounding the birth of the son of promise. Surrogate son Ishmael and dependent nephew Lot were marginalized and made satellites of the ancestral orbit, while true son Isaac emerged from the matriarchal womb to take his destined position. But all threats to the promise did not automatically vanish. Indeed, the promise faced its greatest challenge just at the point that fulfillment seemed sure.

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Expulsion of Hagar, by Gustave Doré 1866 -- CGFA