The Hebrew patriarch Abraham raises a blended family. He fathers two sons; the elder by thirteen years is Ishmael, the younger, Isaac. The boys have different mothers and the mothers don’t get on.

 

When the younger boy is about three or four, he is weaned.Abraham, as is customary, throws a great feast for all the friends and neighbours. Ishmael, the elder, feels miffed. He starts to torment Isaac.

 

Abraham says mildly, Play nicely together, children.

But they don’t.

Perhaps they can’t.

 

Abraham, sore distressed, separates his sons, sending Ishmael away.

God comforts Abraham, promises Ishmael will become the father of a mighty nation.

That nation is the Arab people. 

God also promises Abraham that Isaac will be his heir. 

Isaac becomes the father of Israel.

 

Just as the father loves both his sons, both sons love the father. Upon the death of Abraham, the sons reconcile and bury their father together, in the sepulchre at Hebron that Abraham had purchased on the death of Sarah.

 

Two nations born in discord, cannot live peaceably together.

When separated, peace prevails.

Following bereavement, they unite in shared grief.