Ishmael, evidence of God's approval of polygyny?

[Mojo]

I am newer to this forum, so I am not sure this has been proposed. I am working on a pet argument in favor of polygyny. Feedback is appreciated. It goes a little something like this:

Most contend that the debacle of Hagar and Ishmael proves God's implicit disapproval of polygyny (the whole dysfunction argument)

Is it possible that it's the opposite?

God promised to bless Ishmael (as seed of his friend Abraham)

When the church began to grow, huge numbers in the Middle East came to faith. Many were converted Jews, but many would have descended from Ishmael. I would assume Ishmael and Hagar would have retained belief in YHW and therefore their descendants might be more receptive to the gospel of the Messiah. Many forget that prior to the modern era, great numbers (some majorities) in the Arab world were Christian, not all Muslim. They lived side by side with their Jewish brethren too. Christ would have been part of their blessing.

The Middle East is the cradle of oil production. Regardless of the Muslim oppression, is God still blessing Ishmael (like he continues to have residual blessings to his chosen ones)?

God could have easily cursed this situation, but he chose to bless (implicit approval, not disapproval?)

Poke holes in this one that need poking.
Add or take away too.

 

[FollowingHim]

I agree Ishmael would have had a faith in YHWH. Which raises another interesting episode of polygamy. When Esau realised that his parents were upset about his two Canaanite wives, to make them happy, he went to Ishmael and took one of his daughters (Esau's cousin) as a third wife. Presumably the Canaanites were pagan and leading his family astray, while Ishmael's daughter was a Godly woman whom Isaac and Rebecca would be happy to have as a daughter-in-law and could help put his household on a better path.
It's interesting that Esau's solution to poor wife choices was not divorce, but polygamy, entered into specifically to please his Godly parents.

Regarding Islam, YHWH is moving very strongly at present to draw Muslims out of Islam and to Christianity. Many Muslims are seeing Yeshua (or Isa as they are taught to know him) in dreams and visions, and being directly turned to faith in Him. Just do an internet search for "Isa dreams". The limited knowledge of history and scripture that they have obtained through Islam is used by Him as a basis to work from to lead them to Himself, working directly and personally rather than through human evangelists. I hadn't thought of it in that context before, but this could be part of His blessing on Ishmael.

 

[NetWatchR]

Regarding Islam, YHWH is moving very strongly at present to draw Muslims out of Islam and to Christianity.

That is amazing. Praise be.

@Mojo I think you're argument is fine. This is also one of the MAAAAANY places where God had a prefect opportunity to say "Dude! What are you doing? You know you can't do that!" Instead he says "Nice kid. He's not the one I wanted, but don't worry I'll bless him too."

 

[dreamer]

Glad to see a positive view of Ishmael and his family, rather than the idea that Hagar and Ishmael might have been cursed.