The Expulsion of Hagar by Gustave Doré, Genesis 21:8-21, Bible.Gallery
The Expulsion of Hagar created and it was drawn with engraving style.
Artwork Description
The incident recounted in Genesis chapter twenty-one revolves around the weaning of Isaac, marked by a celebratory feast. However, the joyous occasion takes a bitter turn when Ishmael, the son of Hagar and now a fifteen-year-old boy, mocks the infant heir of the promise, Isaac. Sarah, Isaac's mother, is deeply distressed by this ridicule and demands that both Hagar and her son be cast out of their household.
Initially, Abraham hesitates to comply with Sarah's request, but he eventually relents when commanded by a divine message. With a heavy heart, he bids farewell to Hagar and her son, sending them away into the wilderness. The artist portrays this sorrowful separation with great spirit and effectiveness. It is worth noting that while the picture shows Hagar receiving water in an earthen jar, it is more likely that she received it in a kid-skin, as is customary in the East.
At first glance, this action of sending Hagar and Ishmael away might seem harsh and unjustifiable. However, it is essential to understand that the wilderness they were sent to was not a barren desert but a region suitable for pasture. Although not suitable for cultivation, it provided a means for survival. Moreover, Abraham was assured by a divine promise that no harm would befall Ishmael, for he, too, would become the father of a great nation.
In truth, this separation was necessary for the well-being and harmony of the household. It served as a living illustration of the fundamental incompatibility between the spirit of bondage and the spirit of liberty, a theme later expounded in the history of the Christian Church (Galatians 4:22-31). Hagar, representing a servile and legalistic view of religious life, is contrasted with the freewoman, symbolizing the boundless grace and liberty of the Gospel. The mockery of Ishmael foreshadows the opposition faced by those who embrace the Gospel's promise, as opposed to those who adhere rigidly to the letter of the law.
While the act of casting out Hagar and Ishmael may appear severe, it signifies the transition from a legalistic and task-oriented religious perspective to one of joyous and filial spirit that naturally arises from the grace of God. This little incident from patriarchal times foreshadows the workings of God's providence on a grander scale in the unfolding history of the Christian Church.