Abram and Hagar: waiting for God

Genesis 16

Childless Situation• Sarai bore no children (realized God had

restrained her [v.2]). She feels responsible! • Sarai’s now 75 and Abram’s 85 years old –

getting too old to father a child• God had promised Abram a “seed” and

“many nations”, but had not explained how this would come to pass & Sarai’s involvement

• Sarai came up with a plan [realized it needed God’s blessing] – why not try with Hagar? Not easy for Sarai!

• Abram went along with Sarai’s plan - Abram & Sarai had a good working relationship

Hagar the Egyptian• Sarai’s maid – belonged to Sarai• probably got her while in Egypt (Gen 12)• Probably younger than Sarai• Name means “flight” and twice she runs• Conceives by Abram – God did it!

– Now everyone knows Sarai is the problem!• Hagar despised Sarai before a child was even born!

[pride & envy collide – a bit like Rachel & Leah]• Hagar’s poor response cost her in the end

For three things the earth is perturbed, yes, for four it cannot bear up: For a servant when he reigns, a fool

when he is filled with food, A hateful woman when she is married, and a maidservant who succeeds her

mistress. Prov 30:21-23

Baby Pride!

• Rival women – one has children and the other doesn’t

• 1Sam 1:6 Hannah and Peninnah – “provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because the Lord had closed her womb”

Remember – it is God’s decision to give or not give

children – don’t use it against anyone!

Solving the Problem• Sarai throws the problem at Abram:

“may the wrong done me be upon you” (RSV, NASB)

• Abram probably felt partially responsible – He went along with the plan that involved his close relationship with Hagar that affected Sarai too.

• Abram wants peace (13:8) so he tells Sarai to handle her maid as she thinks is right (Abram doesn’t seem to have any connection to this son yet). Abram trusts Sarai to handle it!

• Sarai treats Hagar harshly (works her hard as a slave) & Hagar runs to Egypt

Our treatment of others• Hard to respond kindly to those

who mistreat us – but Jesus did• Easy to force others out• Be careful! Human nature tends

to favor forcing others out!

"But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most

High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. "Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also

is merciful. Luke 6:35-36

Hagar heads home

Angel finds & counsels Hagar

• Angel finds Hagar on her way back to Egypt

• Calls her “Hagar, Sarai’s maid” – reminds her of her status in Abram’s house.

• Asks Hagar to return to Sarai and submit to her – submission is good for most of us!

• Angel promises to multiply Hagar’s family• Angel names the child “Ishmael” because God heard

Hagar’s affliction

Submission is good, but hard to learn

• Wives, submit to your own husbands (Eph 5:22; Eph 3:18)

• Submit to every human institution [kings, governors] (2 Peter 2:13)

• Younger people, submit yourselves to your elders (1 Peter 5:5)

• God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore, submit to God (James 4:6-7)

This is how God teaches us to submit to him

Why did God care for Hagar?

• She was connected to Abram now and bore his son

• God intended to bless all of Abram’s children – even those of the flesh

• Hagar becomes part of the allegory of Abram’s descendents (Gal 4)

The Allegory of Hagar & Sarah

Hagar – slaveIshmael – of the flesh

Sarah – freeIsaac – thru promise

The two covenants

From Mt Sinai Children are slaves

Jerusalem which now isDriven by fear

From Mt Zion (above) Children are free

Jerusalem to come“the mother of us all”

Energized by love

Galatians 4:22-31

Not all of Abraham’s offspring are children of Abraham by Faith

Romans 9:6-86 But it is not that the word of God has taken no

effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel,7 nor are they all children because they are the

seed of Abraham; but, "In Isaac your seed shall be called."

8 That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed.

One man, two

women

God’s Election

In Isaac your seed shall be called

(Gen 21:12; Rom 9:7)

One man, one

woman

God’s Election

Jacob I have

loved, but

Esau I have hated

(Mal 1:2; Rom 9:11)

God’s Election – not of worksRomans 9:11, 15-16

11 (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls),

15 For He says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion."

16 So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.

None of us deserve adoption into God’s family. Thank God,

appreciate the privilege and live like you really want it!

Ishmael: wild man of the desert

• Wild man – would not submit

• Hand against every man violent character (37:27; Ex 9:3; Deut 2:16)

• Dwell in the presence of his brethren may mean “east of his brethren” [Gesenius, Delitzsch]

Hagar comes closer to God • She called the name of

the LORD who spoke to her, You-Are-the-God- Who-Sees; for she said, "Have I also here seen Him who sees me?“

• The well was called “Beer Lahai Roi” – the well of life of vision” (she’s still alive after seeing God)

Ishmael is born!• Sarai may have thought

her plan worked

• God lets Abram & Sarai think so for 13 years

• God wants a plan that proves God’s family will not be established by the will or works of man – but by the power and grace of God

Abram is 86 years old when Ishmael is born

Proverbs 16:9A man's heart plans

his way, but the LORD directs his

steps.