The incident in Ishmael’s life which we are going to study occurred when he was in his
teens (Genesis 21). Ishmael was about fourteen when Isaac was born. Children were
weaned at a later age in those days than in modern times, so Ishmael was probably
about sixteen at the time of the feast given in celebration of Isaac’s weaning (Gen.
21:8).

In Gen. 21:9 we read that Sarah saw Ishmael mocking. He was evidently making fun of
or teasing Isaac. As a result, the next day Ishmael and his mother, Hagar, were sent out
into the desert with meager supplies of food and water. Both Ishmael and Hagar would
have perished in the desert; but God had promised Abraham that Ishmael would be the
father of a great nation, so He provided them with water.

What is the lesson for us in this account of Ishmael? Isaac is often thought of as a type
of Christ and Abraham as a type of the Father. Ishmael reminds us of those who mock,
make fun of, or reject the claims of Christ upon them. When Ishmael mocked Isaac,
Isaac was a helpless child, but he was to inherit Abraham’s wealth and prestige. Christ
is not now exercising His power and authority over the earth, but He will judge men in
a coming day and only those who have trusted in Him will be His co-heirs (Rom.
8:17). Any who go into eternity mocking will have no place in the Father’s house, but
will be cast into hell, a "desert" worse than any here on earth, with no relief from
suffering, no sudden rescue as God provided Ishmael.

Young people, are any of you mocking? Have you rejected or made light of the earnest
pleas of godly parents or other Christians to turn to Christ and accept Him as your
Saviour? Consider Ishmael’s fate and remember that if you do not accept Christ in this
life, you will spend eternity cast out from God’s presence with no hope of ever being
received into a place of blessing.