Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - ISHMAEL

ISHMAEL

One of the main stories in the Bible concerns Abram and his sons, Ishmael and Issac. In the book of Genesis, God promised a son to Abram by Sarai his wife. But Sarai, being elderly and feeling that:

 

…the Lord has restrained me from having children… 

(Genesis 16:2)

implored Abram to go

…to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her… 

(Genesis 16:2)

But when this happened, Sarai became upset and 

…when Sarai dealt harshly with her, she fled from her presence.

(Genesis 16:6)

Now, we know that Abram did have a second son, this time by Sarai, called Issac and it was with Issac that God promised to:

 

…establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, 

and with his descendants after him. 

(Genesis 17:19) 

However, when Hagar (Sarai’s maid) fled an Angel of the Lord found her in the wilderness and said to her:

…Return to your mistress, 

and submit yourself under her hand. 

(Genesis 16:9)

…I will multiply your descendants exceedingly…

(Genesis 16:10)

Then,

Behold you are with child, 

And you shall bear a son.

You shall call his name Ishmael, 

Because the Lord has heard your affliction.

He shall be a wild man; 

His hand shall be against every man, 

And every man’s hand against him… 

(Genesis 16:11,12)

And so when Issac was only very young, and Ishmael was in his early teens, Sarah again said to Abraham (previously Sarai and Abram but God commanded their names changed).

…Cast out this bondwoman and her son… 

(Genesis 21:10)

Therefore, both Ishmael and Hagar were sent again into the wilderness without provision.

As a result, Ishmael had no status, birthright, or inheritance even though being the firstborn, these and other amenities should have been afforded to him according to the custom of the time. Perhaps it was because, at least in part, that Ishmael was not from Abraham’s wife as was Issac, that this developed but this is what occurred. And it can only be expected that as a result, Ishmael would be upset and angry and embittered over these circumstances.

In spite of his beginnings, God told Hagar to:

…lift up the lad and hold him with your hand, 

for I will make him a great nation. 

(Genesis 21:18) 

And so He apparently did, for Ishmael’s descendants became the Arab nations of today and from this body seemingly came Mohammed, the founder of Islam.

At the same time, the descendants of Issac also became a great nation known as Judah (Israel), home to the Jewish people. Of course from them would come Jesus, from whom the Christian church developed.

It’s interesting to see how many of the world’s problems of today between nations and religions began centuries ago when a man, Abraham, committed adultery (even if at his wife’s suggestion) and conceived a son by one other than her. 

For when Abraham had made a feast for Issac on the occasion of him being weaned, it is said that:

Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian…scoffing 

(Genesis 21:9)

The animosity between Ishmael and Issac, which began at a time when they were both young, apparently continued through their descendants up to the present day and results in the world’s continuing problems. It’s hard to realize how one act centuries ago can have such longstanding and far-reaching consequences.

And it does give one something to think about.

Pastor Matthew Trott April 26, 2026

 

Pastor Matthew Trott April 26, 2026

Click here

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - WATER TO WINE

WATER TO WINE

At times the details in a story make the whole event much more understandable and interesting if those details are known; and so it is in the Bible. There are few, if any, details which are not important to the overall meaning of the story. Such is the case during the wedding at Cana when Jesus turned the water into wine.

It is said that…

…there were six waterpots of stone, 

according to the manner of purification of the Jews… 

(John 2:6)

The Jewish people used this water for purification after touching something unclean or to wash before dining, praying, or other activities. Although it could be used for cleansing, it really did little in the sense of purification. In addition, the fact that there were six (the number related to man and human weakness) further identifies the human aspect of this part of the story.

But Jesus, in changing the water into wine, transformed the element used by man into the symbol that would later be used to represent the blood of Christ at communion and so, in effect, was a precursor of the death of Christ and His sacrifice.

So, 

when the master of the feast…

tasted the water that was made wine 

(John 2:9)

and said:

 

“…You have kept the good wine until now!” 

(John 2:10)

He in effect said that the inferior action created by man had been changed into the ultimate purification by the blood (wine) given by Christ and for the purification us all.

Just a little something more to think about. 

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark Part 40

 

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark Part 40

Click here for video

Dr Spencer Barclay Sunday April 19, 2026

 

Dr Spencer Barclay April 19, 2026

Click here for video:

https://youtu.be/wfYxV1SQguE?si=O1_JaX-0F9jVS6s6

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark Part 39

 

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark Part 39

Please click here for video

https://youtu.be/W72bGxEfxIE?si=g7egOp6CXWlesXqx

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - DETAILS - PART 2

DETAILS 

PART 2

Before we leave this time of year perhaps we should look at just a few more of the details surrounding the crucifixion and resurrection, for it seems there are a number that are rarely mentioned.

At the time of Christ’s death, John is reported as saying this:

But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, 

and immediately blood and water came out. 

(John 19:34) 

This type of fluid indicted that Christ probably had terminal pulmonary edema and a pleural effusion. This would not be uncommon coming from injuries suffered in a situation such as was taking place. But at the same time, we also know that it is by the blood that we are saved and brought into the righteousness of Christ often represented by the white robes of revelation.

…on the thrones were twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes… 

(Revelation 4:4)

…a great multitude…clothed with white robes

 (Revelation 7:9)

…These are the ones who came out of the great tribulation, 

and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 

(Revelation 7:14)

So Christ’s last received injury, the spear, caused a discharge composed of the cleansing blood and associated white (or light) fluid suggestive of the resultant purity.

And after the resurrection, the tomb which Christ had occupied was not entirely empty on resurrection morning. It is true that Jesus was no longer there but there were linen cloths left behind.

and the handkerchief that had been around His head, 

not lying with the linen cloths, 

but folded together in a place by itself. 

(John 20:7)

In those days, it was customary for a Jewish man to crumple up his napkin or handkerchief when he left, for instance a table, and was finished with no intention of returning. But if that same person was only leaving for a time and meant to return, then he would fold up neatly his napkin so that it would be available on his return. This, then, was the first indication after the resurrection that Christ’s departure was not permanent but only temporary and that He would be returning someday to complete His purpose.

Just a few more little details that make the crucifixion and resurrection more meaningful and overall give us something further to think about.