"If you drive us out, send us into the herd of swine."
And he said to them, "Go then!"
Jesus has power over the demons. Unclean things like swine, and even the power of the sea itself are no match for him. His plan is ultimately to subject hostile forces that are opposed to the kingdom. This is a glimpse of that. Yet it is no arbitrary thing. He doesn't just subjugate them for the sake of doing so. He does so for the sake of his people. He will not accept collateral damage just for the sake of showing his dominance over the world. He has concern even for Ishmael, who is not part of the main plan or the covenant promise. He drives out demons. But he won't permit the same approach even to those who aren't allied with him.
"Drive out that slave and her son!
No son of that slave is going to share the inheritance
with my son Isaac!"
Sarah is too human here. She does not yet realize that the war isn't really "against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (see Ephesians 6:12). But God knows it, and he hears the cry of Hagar.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.
He protects Ishmael and promises to raise him up. Sarah thinks he isn't a part of God's plan and therefore must be removed. But although he isn't part of her slice of the plan, God has a plan for him as well.
Don't be afraid; God has heard the boy's cry in this plight of his.
Arise, lift up the boy and hold him by the hand;
for I will make of him a great nation."
After all, this is why Jesus drives out demons. Any "driving out" which God endorses is the same. This action casts out hostile and unclean powers for the sake of the world which he loves. Let's take comfort in the power Jesus has over evil. Let us try to share his love with the world.
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