Genesis 16

Genesis 16

16:2 It would be hard to believe that Sarai wouldn't know about the promises Abram received from God. The only other explanation is that they simply disregarded it and decided to take the initiative. This is easy to criticize, but come to think about it, it was probably a common thing in those days.

16:3 Think about ten years. It is so easy to say or read on the page, but to live it is another thing. What would you have done in Abram's position? God promised that you would have a son, but your wife is past the age of childbearing. An opportunity comes up that is perfectly normal in the culture of the day where your wife's maid is able to provide you with an heir. Would you take it?

16:4 When I think of Hagar and Sarai, I always seem to think of them as the same age. In actuality, Sarai was in her 60s/70s and Hagar was probably in her teens or 20s. Perhaps Hagar was thinking of how many children she could still have now that she was wife to the great patriarch.

16:5 How do you think the Lord would judge between the two of them? Jealousy among woman is a common thing, but Abram should have known better. They are certainly both to blame for their present heartache.

16:6 So Sarai thought it best to mistreat Hagar. Though, was it right for Hagar to flee when she was bound to this family?

16:9 You know, if Hagar went back and was submissive and really acted like a Christian, I wonder how things might have been different. Wives are supposed to do this because it protects the children and can witness by example (1 Corinthians 7:12-14). In this case, going back and submitting as the angel of the Lord says would have been better.

16:12 For reference, the Muslims point to Ishmael as their line to Abraham where the Jews point to Isaac. The prophesy is accurate.