Islam's Biblical Background

Abraham had two sons: Ishmael and Isaac. Ishmael represents the result of human effort,and Isaac the result of God's gracious gift. We all must recognize the futility of a works-based approach to receiving God's blessings before we are able to receive His blessing by faith through grace. First the Law, then grace. That is why (600 years after the birth of Isaac) Moses established a works-based covenant at Sinai in the land of Ishmael (Arabia)before taking the Israelites to the land of Isaac - the Promised Land. Likewise, it is no coincidence that some 600 years after Isaac's descendant, Jesus Christ, ratified a new faith-based covenant in the Promised Land, Mohammed established a counterfeit works-based religion in the land of Ishmael.