Ishamel was the son of human effort and intervention. Isaac was the fulfilled promise begotten by faith.

Ishmael was Abraham’s slave son while Isaac was Abraham’s free son. Ishmael as a teenager bullied Isaac as a toddler and so infuriated Sarah, Isaac’s mother, that she expelled Ishmael and his mother Hagar from the home.

Turns out, Ishmaels are still bullying Isaacs today. We don’t mean the age-old conflict between Islam and Judaism/Christianity, although that is a reality. We are speaking in spiritual terms.

Spiritual Ishmaels are those with a slave mindset who work hard to earn right-standing with God through their own efforts and performance.

Spiritual Isaacs are those who receive the righteousness of God by faith in Christ. Isaac represents the freedom we have in Christ.

These two brothers in conflict with one another in Abraham’s household represent the conflict we still see today in God’s household. Those earning their own salvation through their own efforts will always discredit, bully, look down upon, and harass those walking in faith and freedom in Christ. It’s the nature of the relationship between the two.

Gain insights in this week’s episode as to why you have felt intimidated, discredited and mistreated by your own brothers and sisters in Christ as you’ve attempted to grow in Christ and walk on your own two spiritual feet.