Donkey

 He shall be a wild donkey of a man, his hand against everyone and everyone's hand against him, and he shall dwell over against all his kinsmen."
Genesis 16:12 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/gen.16.12.ESV

Sadly, this verse rings true of Ishmael's descendants, especially in this Islamic age. Islam is against every non Muslim, and non Muslims are against Islam. I know people often feel they have to be apologetic for the crusades, but if it wasn't for them, we'd be living in an Islamic State.

God did promise temporal blessings for Ishmael. Yet spiritually he was like a wild donkey. Donkeys are simultaneously stubborn and impulsive, not good traits for people.

It might seem racist to characterise someone and their descendants as a donkey, but sadly, we do have cultural traits, and if the shoe fits... Better to be a sheep than a donkey. Being a sheep might not be flattering either, but at least we can have God as our Shepherd.

When a man's ways are pleasing to God, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. That proverb is true, but so is the opposite. Because Ishmael was displeasing to God, he was often in conflict with people, likewise many of his descendants. Thankfully there's a place for Ishmaelites in the Kingdom of God, who trust in the Lord Jesus Christ to transcend their cultural traits.

'O Lord, please don't let us be blind to our own cultural flaws. Thank You that there is forgiveness and restoration in Christ, in whose name we pray, amen'

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