Ishmael and Islam in the Bible: For a Better Communication Between Abrahamic Brothers and Sisters

This book recounts the story of Abraham, Hagar, and Ishmael from a completely new perspective. It analyses the promises for them, stakes out Ishmael's territory, and maps the Arab culture created by him.

ISHMAEL AND ISLAM IN THE BIBLE traces the fascinating interplay between Ishmaelites and Israelites throughout Scripture. It shows which Bible books, chapters, and verses have been influenced by the East and which Bible heroes and heroines were Arabs.

The book explains the connection between Ishmael and Islam, quotes the Qur'an, and speaks about Muhammad. The reader will be inspired to rethink the relation between modern heirs of Abraham – Jews, Christians, and Muslims.

The author does not conceal the problems Abraham's children have had among themselves. Yet he points to the gems that the Children of the East have generously provided. Thus he hopes to build more bridges, and to inject more peace and non-violence into our day-to-day life.

The reader finds scores of Bible verses, four intriguing charts and eight geographic maps, many of them depicting important journeys of characters presented in this book. There is a wealth of detail to enjoy combined with an easy and absorbing read.

INTRODUCTION
1. FROM SLAVERY TO LIBERTY: The Story of Hagar and Ishmael
A gift from Pharaoh
A lesson on slavery
Voluntary slaves or slave holders?
Hagar, the forbidden fruit
Hagar, the humiliated
Hagar, the blessed
Your son will be born free
God hears and sees
Second encounter with the angel
God was with Ishmael
Free at last
Conclusion
2. GOD'S PROMISES TO ABRAHAM AND ISHMAEL: God Is Faithful
That Ishmael might live before you
Great nation
Great name
Blessing for all the families of the earth
As the dust and the stars
From Nile to Euphrates
Sharing the promised land
Twelve princes
A special blessing for Isaac
Mercy and love for all
Conclusion
3. THE CHILDREN OF THE EAST: Their Identity and Territory
The sons of Keturah included into Abraham's spirituality
Their territory: the Land of the East
The Desert of Shur
An alternative location for Mount Sinai
The scope of the territory
The Desert of Paran
Conclusion
4. THE ARABS: Helpers of Their Messianic Brothers
The Children of Arabia
Sheba and Dedan: heirs to Cush
Midian: intermarriage between Abraham's and Ham's descendants
Edom went east
“Reuel” = Friend of God
The special message of structural parallels
Elijah and the Arabs
Conclusion
5. THE EGYPT-ISHMAEL CONNECTION: Joseph, Moses, Jethro, and Job
The Joseph story
There is a balm in Gilead
Living between two poles: Egypt and the land of the East
A mixture of Abrahamic nations
Joseph in Egypt
Moses flees from Egypt to Ishmael
The priest of Midian: Reuel II
Genesis was written in Arabia
The story of Job took place in Arabia
The classical exodus
Conclusion
6. MOAB AND AMMON: Arabs Prepared the Way for the Messiah
Incest among God's children
Separation not due to incestuous origin
Protected enemies
Ruth the Moabite, mother of King David and Jesus the Messiah
Refuge-givers for the persecuted
Executors of judgement
Promises for our time
Conclusion
7. EASTERN WISDOM: A Creed of Peace and Virtue
The book of Proverbs
The words of Agur
Five poetic quartets
The words of Lemuel
The virtuous woman
The sages of the East
8. HEROES OF THE EAST: From Violence to Non-Violence
Caleb, the fearless “Muslim”
Jael, the unscrupulous Arab heroine
The Rechabites: no idolatry, no alcohol, no settling
Jabez, hero of prayer
Other children of the East
Apostle Paul and his trip to Arabia
9. THE INCENSE ROAD: Connection between East and West
Keturah means incense
The three Mosaic incense laws
Famous caravans on the Incense Road
Balaam, prophet of Arabia
Incense and prayer
Song of Songs and its interpretations
Shulamite, Arab bride of the Messiah
Love between Abraham's children
Sexual purity, a treasure from the East?
Shulamite's deep longing
Muhammad in Song of Songs
EPILOGUE