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Bible Study Online ArticleLocated at the Bottom of Page In the previous article, we'd had taken a look at Abraham's last years of his life, as death drew near. And from within that article, we'd learned -- that Isaac and his older brother Ishmael, was able to put aside their differences -- just long enough, for them to give their father a proper burial.
Now normally, right after the record, that deals with the passing of Abraham -- I find that most would skip, or quickly gloss over the record that immediately follows? For I want you to know, that the record that I'm referring to, deals specifically with the "sons of Ishmael." So instead of going directly to the account of Isaac and Rebekah (like most would do) -- we'll go ahead and briefly explore Ishmael's account, for I personally believe, his record is significant. For I want you to understand -- that it was the Ishmaelites, that had eventually made their way to Arabia, and after doing so... eventually made it their homeland. And because of their permanent settlement from within that area of the world, the Ishmaelites would eventually become known as "Arabians." Now the reason why I'm pointing this out -- deals with the fact, that Ishmael was himself, the founder of the Ishmaelites. And just like his younger brother Isaac, he too, would have a foundation of "twelve tribes" or "twelve rulers" -- just like Isaac would eventually have? For you must remember, that Isaac would eventually be given this honor (when it came to the Israelites) -- by having his "twelve tribes" or "twelve rulers" established later on, through his son Jacob. However that may have been, let's move forward... Nebaioth - Understand that he was the eldest son of Ishmael. Also know, that he's credited with being the founder, that deals with the part of Arabia that was known as Nabathaea. Kedar - Know that he was the founder of the Cedarenes, which were a tribe, that was also located from within Arabian lands. Adbeel - Unfortunately, very little is known about him. But it's presumed, that his tribe was the one that resided from within Sinai -- which was a triangle-shaped land, that was located between the Mediterranean Sea, and the Red Sea. Mibsam & Mishma - Know that these brothers, were perhaps the founders of the villages that made up Jebel-Misma, which was located from within Northern Arabia. Duhmah - Understand that he's credited with a place from within Arabia, that was known as "Dumatha". Also know, that he's credited as being the forefather of Idumeans, which were found to be the ancestors of the Edomites. Now I want to be very careful here, for we must not forget, that Esau (The twin brother of Jacob and the eldest son of Isaac) is actually credited with the Edomites as being his descendants. But we must keep in mind, that Esau had married into the family of Ishmael? And he did this by marrying one of Ishmael's daughters, that had went by the name "Mahalath." So keep in mind, that both households (Ishmael & Esau) should be credited with the founding of the Edomites. Massa - Understand that the tribe of Massaa, are presumed to have been apart of, or had a strong connection with the Masanoi tribe -- which was located from within North Arabia. Hadad - Know that it's believed -- that he was the founder of the Hadad tribes, for they too, resided in Arabia. Tema - Keep in mind, that this was perhaps a place, that was located between Tathrib and Dumah -- which was also found, to be near the Desert of Al-Nefud. Know that this desert, was located from within the northern part of the Arabian Peninsula. Jetur or lturea - Know that his tribe was located from within the district, that was found to be near ancient Syria -- that was found to be, in between Damascus, and the lake of Tiberias. Naphish or Nephish - Know that he was the founder of the Arabian tribe, that was defeated by the Israelites, along with the Hagrite clans -- which were the descendants of Hagar. Also know that they'd resided in the desert regions, that were located east of Gilead. Kedemah - Understand that he was perhaps, the founder of the Kadmonites, who were also known as the "the children of the east." For they were a Canaanitish tribe -- that was located in the north-eastern part of Palestine, that was close to the great western river that's known as, the Euphrates. NOTE: Since this page is geared more towards the "sons of Ishmael", I won't use this page to go into great detail, when it comes to The Twelve Tribes of Israel. Reuben - Know that The Tribe of Reuben, was located towards the east of the Dead Sea. Simeon - The Tribe of Simeon, was located from within the southwest parts of Canaan. Levi - Understand that The Tribe of Levi, or Levites -- were awarded cities, and not tribal lands like the rest. Instead, they served the Israel nation, from within the offices that dealt primarily with the areas of religion and politics. Judah - Know that The Tribe of Judah, was one of two tribes that had remained with the "House of David" (The Southern Kingdom)-- after God had split David's Household into two different kingdoms (northern & southern) after the death of his son Solomon. Also know, that Benjamin was the other tribe along side Judah, that had remained loyal to David's house. Dan - Know that the The Tribe of Dan, dwelled in the northern parts of Galilee Naphtali - The Tribe of Naphtali was located from within the eastern parts of Galilee Gad - The Tribe of Gad was located in the eastern regions, near the River Jordan Asher - The tribe of Asher dwelled somewhere from within western parts of Galilee Issachar - The Tribe of Issachar, was located in the northwestern parts of Manasseh Zebulun - The Tribe of Zebulun, was located from within the southern parts of Galilee Joseph - Know that Joseph, was Jacob's favorite son, from out of the twelve. And because of his special relationship with his father, Joseph was betrayed by his brothers (except Benjamin) -- and eventually he would be sold into slavery. Now I believe that Joseph has an awesome recorded account, that is told from within the book of Genesis, which can be found between the chapters 37-50. Know that God had allowed Joseph, to eventually become the prime-minister, or governor of the land, in which he had become a prisoner of. For you must know, that he would be the human tool -- that God had used, to bring the "children of Israel" down into the land of Egypt. Understand that this would eventually lead to the setup, of one of most famous recorded accounts of all time. Which is known as "The Exodus from Egypt." Know that his sons Ephraim andManasseh, would eventually become part of Israel's foundational twelve. Therefore, taking the place (or being a representation) of their father Joseph, and the Levites. For we must remember, that the Levites would serve Israel, that dealt with the area's of religion and politics -- not in tribal territories, like the rest of their brothers. Benjamin - Know that The Tribe of Benjamin, was given the areas that were located, between the land of Ephraim to the north, and to Judah that was located towards the south. Also remember, that they were also one of the two tribes, that had stayed loyal to the "House of David" -- after God had split the kingdom into two (northern & southern) after Solomon's death. So now you have the foundations of these two great nations that God had promised unto Abraham: "God also said to Abraham, 'As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of people will come from her.' Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, 'Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?' And Abraham said to God, 'If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!' "Then God said, 'Yes, but your wife will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him: I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation. But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you this time next year.'" -- (Genesis 17:15-21) And because of the disobedience of Abraham and Sarah, we'll find that Ishmael would eventually be born unto Abraham and Hagar. For you must know, that this birth had immediately caused a rift, and intense competition -- between Sarah and Hagar. The strife that had develop between the two, had escalated to the point, that Hagar would end up fleeing Abraham's household. But know that God would find, and reassure Hagar, that all will be well. And because of this, she heads back to be with the house of Abraham. Finally, God would bless Abraham and Sarah with the promised seed, that He'd foretold to them a year before -- and they'd named that child Isaac. And soon after, Isaac would end up being mocked and teased, by his older brother Ishmael. And it's believed, that Hagar might have had some major influence behind the behavior of her son Ishmael. However, Sarah would witness the treatment that Hagar and Ishmael were putting Isaac through. And after she'd witness their behavior towards Isaac, Sarah presented her demands to Abraham, when it came to Hagar and Ishmael being kicked out of the household. Know that at first, Abraham would hesitate on these said demands, by his wife Sarah -- but God would intervene, and confirm to Abraham, that he should listen to his wife and do as she says. So Abraham obeyed God, and his wife, and had Hagar and his son Ishmael placed outside of his home. And because of this, Hagar and Ishmael would find themselves wandering the vast wilderness of the desert lands. And it would be at this time, that Ishmael would become very weak, and was found to be near death. And it's also around this time, that God would reassure Hagar again, about the future of Ishmael. "God heard the boy crying and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, 'What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.'" -- (Genesis 21: 17-18) Now here we are thousands of years later, and the family rift between the two great nations (Arabs and the Jews) are still very much in play to this very day, here in the twenty-first century, just like God had foretold back when the two were just kids. "The angel of the Lord also said to her (Hagar): 'You are now with child and you will have a son. You shall name him Ishmael, for the Lord has heard your misery. He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone's hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.'" -- (Genesis 16:11-12) Now that we have taken a quick look at The Twelve Rulers of Ishmael, and also a brief glance at The Twelve Tribes of Israel. We'll move forward when it comes to our next article. What's this! Isaac and Rebekah are blessed with child, or perhaps it should be stated as "children". The Sons of God - The Daughters of Men **YOUR CURRENT - BIBLE STUDY ONLINE SERIES - WOULD BE HERE** Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty 16) Abimelech Angry with Abraham 18) Hagar & Ishmael - Sent Away Added to Page 19) Hagar the Mother of a Great Nation 20) Abraham & The Well of Oath 21) Abraham & The Great Sacrifice 25) Rebekah gets Permission to Leave 28) <-CURRENT - BIBLE STUDY ONLINE - PAGE-> 
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