Read: Genesis 16
As time goes
by, Sarai still has not conceived a son and she becomes concerned and resorts
to a pagan custom to resolve the problem.
The childless Sarai gave her Egyptian maidservant, Hagar, to Abram as a
wife (v. 3). Slaves were the property of
their owner therefore any children she bore would also be considered the
property of the owners. This action was
not suggested by God (polygamy is sin) therefore Sarai will experience
consequences! Hagar’s ability to
conceive causes her to look down on Sarai (v. 4). Sarai initially becomes angry with Abram,
whom she probably feels is favouring Hagar because of the pregnancy so he
permits her to deal harshly with Hagar (v. 5-6), causing Hagar to run away (v.
6). While on her journey, a
pre-incarnate Christ appeared to her (v. 7).
He recommended that she return and submit to Sarai (v. 9) and promised
that her seed would be greatly multiplied (v. 10). The Lord tells her that she will bear a son
and that he is to be named Ishmael, which means “God hears”, a reminder to
Hagar of God’s special intervention on her behalf. Verse 12 tells us that Ishmael will be a
strong, independent person who is wild, untamed, fearing no man, unlike his
mother. Unfortunately this would also
mean that he would live a life of hostility.
Hagar called the place where the Lord spoke to her, Beerlahairoi,
meaning “God sees me” (v. 13-14). When
Hagar give birth to Ishmael (v. 15), Abraham was 86 years old. This was the first child that was named by
God before he was born. Eleven years
have now passed since God first promised an heir to Abram and God’s promise was
still unfulfilled, because Ishmael was not the promised son.
Prayer and Journaling
1. Sarai
decided to secure the inheritance by means that were in her power and we do not
find Abram objecting. They were both
acting naturally when God wanted to act supernaturally! God had made a promise and God does not lie
so they should not have meddled with His work.
Ask the Lord to show you an area in your life where you have been trying
to solve a problem naturally instead of praying and trusting Him to solve it
supernaturally. Repent of this and ask
God for forgiveness. Then ask Him to
show you how to pray about this situation.
2. Even in her troubling circumstances, God asks Hagar to submit to
authority. He did not remove the problem
but rather asked Hagar to obey in the midst of a tough circumstance. Ask the Lord to show you a situation in your
life where you have or were tempted to run away from a difficulty. Pray that God would give you strength to face
your problems, take responsibility for your part in them (if any) and trust and
obey Him in the midst of them.
3. In
this story we see God mercifully intervening on Hagar’s behalf, He heard her
cry! Our God hears! He listens to our prayers and He cares! We often bring distress into our lives from
our own foolishness but God does not forsake us, He restores the
repentant. God permits Hagar to run away
to the wilderness and provides a spring to quench her thirst. He even sends the pre-incarnate Christ to
comfort her. How gracious is God! Ask the Lord to show you a time in your life
where you were in a distressing situation.
Did you run to God? Why or why
not? Are you in a distressing situation
right now? How are you running to
God? If you aren’t, ask Him to show you
what is keeping you from doing so.
