In one of the more dramatic Old Testament stories found in Genesis is an account of family discord which had a happy ending. The story contains a healing message that can be profitably applied to modern homelife.
In the story Sarah asked her husband, Abraham, to cast out the bondwoman Hagar and her son, Ishmael. Perhaps Sarah was jealous of the affection Abraham had expressed toward them. She did not want her son, Isaac, to share the inheritance with his half-brother, Ishmael. Abraham was distressed, for he loved his son Ishmael, but he acceded to Sarah's request after God had assured him that no harm would come to Ishmael.
Thus with a bottle of water and some bread Hagar and Ishmael were sent into the desert. When the water in the bottle was exhausted, Hagar cast her child under a shrub and went some distance away so that she wouldn't have to witness his death. Overcome with despair and pity, she wept. Then, the account continues, an angel of God called to her and said: "What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is. Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation."Gen. 21:17, 18;
