Why are we surprised?

As I was reading my 'Daily Bible - In Chronological Order - 365 Daily Passages', this morning, I was struck with a sense of security and safety in a weird way. Since it is January, we are obviously reading in Genesis. Helloooooooooo?!? Anyhow, In Genesis, we see these things:

Genesis 15 ... then the word of the Lord came to him (Abram ... soon to be changed to Abraham): 'This man (Eliezer) will not be your heir, but a son coming from your your body will be your heir.' He (God) took him outside and said, 'Look up at the heavens and count the stars --- if indeed you can count them.' Then he said to him, 'so shall your offspring be.' Abram believed the Lord and he credited it to him as righteousness.
So we have God's Promise to Abram ... He would give him an heir. And Abram believed him. At least for a time. 10 years later, God's Promise still has not come to pass. That must mean only one thing ---- Abram has got to make God's Promise come about on his own terms. Make sense, right? Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeell...

Sarai, Abram's wife, and Abram determine that the best thing would be for Abram to produce an offspring with his maidservant Hagar. I can't imagine her being pretty with a name like Hagar! It sounds like she belongs on Shrek or something. Anywho, All of the parties agree to this and Hagar does become pregnant and with a son! An Heir? Well, much dissension is caused between these two women. I can only imagine! Can you imagine being Abram? Got Headache? No Thank You! Hagar leaves the scene and runs away. An angel of the Lord finds her and tells her this in Genesis 16, 'Go back to your mistress (Sarai) and submit to her. I will increase your descendents that they will be too numerous to count.' And the angel also added, 'You are now with child and you will have a son. You shall name him Ishmael for the Lord has heard of 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.' Abram was 86 years old at the time.

Fourteen years later, God's Promise is finally revealed in the birth of Isaac from SARAH and Abraham. They both had their names changed by God. Isaac is born and Abraham pleads with God for Ishmael to get the Blessing. God is very specific in saying that Isaac is the one to receive the Blessing, not Ishmael!

The author adds in this commentary in regards to these passages ... With Hagar's pregnancy, however, it soon becomes clear that the plan is fraught with problems (referring to Hagar having Abram's baby). Pride, Jealousy, and alienation of affections naturally arise in such a mixture of relationships and in the end Hagar runs away from her mistress. However, Hagar is instructed to return and be submissive. God promises Hagar that the descendents of her son, Ishmael, and his offspring will be characterized by hostility, particularly against his brothers. (It is noteworthy that in centuries to follow there will be conflict in the Middle East between the ARABS, who descend from Ishmael, and JEWS, who are descendents from Ishmael's stepbrother, a son soon to be born ... Isaac!

Do you see it? Ishmeal (Arabs) is to be a Wild Donkey of a Man who will forever be in Hostility toward his brothers! Hamas. Gaza Strip. Jews. Israel.

Why are we surprised? This battle has been going on since Genesis ... since the birth of Isaac. Heck, some 4,000 years now!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okley Dokley ... there is your lesson for the day. What did you think? Did you know this? Pretty Fascinating, to say the least!

Bless you...