Where Did Arabs Come From?

God forbid that I bring the female species under any more contempt or degradation than they've already endured throughout time, but let's face it, by nature, we gals are territorial. Daresay, I bring this to the table, but when you think about it, if blame is to be placed on anyone for the state of the world today, a woman must bear that burden and her name is Sarah, wife of Abraham. Contrary to the Jerry Falwells of the world that preach "Woman, Submit", evidently, the role was reversed in the Abraham/Sarah/Hagar dilemma. Sarah who was long past the age of child-bearing, wanted a child, and according to the "Patriarchs Version", God told Abraham to go and sleep with Sarah's handmaiden, Hagar. Supposedly, Adultery was AOK during that period of the Old Testament, must have gotten out of hand! So Abraham being an obedient servant of God, obeyed, visited Hagar the Handmaiden in her tent, and well, you know the rest, ultimately she was impregnated with Abraham's seed!. 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. (NIV, Genesis 16) Rather unusual "Blessing" on this Ishmael child, a wild donkey? About fourteen years later, an angel visited Sarah and told her she would conceive a child, and would name him Isaac. Sarah was ecstatically happy about the reality and birth of her son and even laughed in the presence of the angels, that foretold of the miracle. There is little doubt in my mind that the precept that women should submit unto men was actually invented by the patriarchal system. Especially when God told Abraham to hearken unto Sarah and obey her. Doesn't sound like female submission to me! Sarah, obviously forgot that maternity or pregnancy was actually intended as a curse brought upon all of Eve's daughters, for the sin Eve allegedly committed in the Garden. So laughing and being happy just wasn't something expected of a woman and considered unpardonable. It is said by most philosophers, that the exalted of all love is that which a Mother has for her children. However, this divine awakening of affection, didn't flow over to Sarah's handmaiden, Hagar. There was problems there, and evidently, Hagar was the culprit...and used Ishmael to provoke Sarah. Hagar despised Sarah and there was friction between the two women, and Sarah became jealous of the attention that Abraham was giving to Ishmael, Hagar's son and reprimanded him. Actually, the way the story goes, Ishmael was mocking Isaac and that got the best of Sarah who basically told Abraham to lose the excess baggage, as he would never share in the inheritance with her son, Isaac. If you can imagine the situation, it becomes clear as to what Sarah was having to contend with. Sarah quickly picked up the animosity from Hagar and decided to end it before it went any further. She took the role of the wife and mother, protecting her son's legacy and got rid of the problem. God confirmed Sarah, as he told Abraham, "To hearken to her voice, and obey her command". Imagine that... Isaac grew, and on the day he was weaned Abraham held a great feast. But Sarah saw that Ishmael was mocking Isaac, and she said to Abraham; "Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac." (NIV, Genesis 21:8-10) Abraham appeared to be under Sarah's control, when he banished Hagar and his son, Ishmael to the desert. The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son. But God said to him, "Do not be so distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring [b] will be reckoned. I will make the son of the maidservant into a nation also, because he is your offspring." (NIV, Genesis 21:11-13) In this scene, Old Abe doesn't appear in a very attractive light, rising up early in the morning, sending Hagar and his first born into the wilderness with only a breakfast of bread and water to care for themselves. He didn't even provide a servant, a donkey with provisions or a tent to shelter them from the elements, nothing at all...just sent them into the wilderness to fiend for themselves. Even the most lowlife of mankind, would have done more, and what is really the clicker is this was all done with God's approval. The rest of the story is engraved in stone....An angel visited Hagar in the wilderness and told her something similar to what was promised to Abraham, Hagar, with her son, wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba, and when reduced to great distress, a voice from heaven said "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) Legend has it by some that she wandered right on up to Mecca...in search of water for her son...thus, Enter the Arabs...and that my friends is how all of this middle east crap got started in the first place! Moral Of The Story: Don't (Trust)let (your) handmaiden (Best Friend) sleep (with) your husband!