When it was on television, I used to watch a lot of The West Wing. It remains, in my mind, one of the best shows ever presented (at least certain episodes and seasons). After the September 11th attacks, they aired a special episode entitled “Isaac and Ishmael.” It had nothing to do with the actual attacks, but was instead a discussion (read: lecture) on terrorism, jihadism, Middle East relations with the U.S., and Arab-Israeli relations. The title, of course, refers to the two sons of Abraham, the son of Sarah and the son of her maid Hagar.
Brief synopsis: God says Abraham’s descendants will be as many as the stars in the sky. Sarah sends in Hagar to Abraham because she’s not bearing any children to her husband. Hagar has Ishmael. But then Sarah has Isaac and now she wants Hagar and Ishmael out. So, Abraham gives them the boot (see picture).
Until today, I had never actually read this story. As with much of my knowledge that comes from The West Wing (such as all the inner workings of the Secret Service), I never bothered to do any research of my own to substantiate their (read: Aaron Sorkin’s) arguments and research. Now, I’ve actually read this story in Genesis, and it kind of blows. I mean, the situation blows, not the story. Or is it both?
Did a feud between two races truly begin because of the jealousy between the two partners of one man? Is that really how this all works? I know there’s more to it, and I understand that many things have fueled this constant battle, but if we are in the middle of wars because Sarah wanted the descendants of her son to be as many as the stars and not Hagar’s, than I’m angry.
I’m just sayin’ is all.
