Ishmael’s mocking of Isaac was persecution against the covenant heir, leading to his expulsion and the preservation of God’s redemptive plan.
Hagar And Ishmael (Genesis 16:1–16): Historical Settings, Exegesis, And Theological Foundations
Hagar fled toward Egypt, but the Angel of Jehovah found her at a desert spring, commanded her return, named Ishmael, and proved that Jehovah hears and sees.

