Genesis 16 records the account of Hagar and Ishmael. Sarai has trouble believing God’s promise that Abram and she will be the parents of a great nation, and so she takes matters into her own hands. Sarai gives her servant Hagar to Abram to have a child. Apparently, after Hagar is with child she does not treat Sarai with the proper respect, and she complains to Abram who puts Hagar in her hands to do what she desires with her. The Bible records that Sarai mistreated Hagar and she fled. This is not a glowing account of Abraham and Sarah. Calvin calls their faith “defective.” They certainly were having a hard time waiting on God. Given the fact that Abraham was well into his 80’s I think we can be a little sympathetic. But the text leaves no doubt that the promise was to be with Sarai. It is easy to arm chair quarterback the choice of Sarai, but living by faith is not easy. Sarai was following the custom of her day in giving her servant to Abram to have a child with her servant. But it wasn’t God’s plan for them. We need to be on our guard not to mistreat those around us. I have talked with many waiters and waitresses who tell me their worst day to work is on Sunday because the church folk are the most impatient, most demanding and the worst tippers. Maybe we have some Sarai issues of our own that need to be dealt with.
The account of Hagar leaving is fascinating to me. God’s messenger actually appears to her. This is the first time in the Bible that happens. She is told to go back and submit to her mistress. Even though her son Ishmael is not the son of the promise he will have a bright future though not an easy one. Ishmael will have descendants too numerous to count as well. Though he will live a life of hostility, he will not live as a humble servant who is mistreated. Hagar then refers to God as “El Roi” that is “the God who sees.”
The study of Ishmael has taken on new significance in that the followers of Islam trace their spiritual roots through Ishmael and not Isaac. Many folks want to believe that Ishmael’s and Isaac’s ancestors have always fought, but that is not really true. Terrence Fretheim makes the following observations. “Ishmael does not receive negative treatment in the rest of the Old Testament, and the Ishmaelites never seem to be in conflict with Israel. When Isaac and Ishmael bury their father, no sign of conflict appears (25:9). One of David’s sisters married an Ishmaelite (1 Chr. 2:17), and an Ishmaelite and a Hagrite were administrators for David (1 Chr. 27:30-31).”
About Me
- Robert and Ray Miller
- Robert is the pastor of First Baptist Texas City, Tx. And Ray is the pastor of First Baptist Mertens, Tx. Robert brings over 30 years of biblical study as a pastor. Ray brings a younger perspective to the Bible and also a command of the original languages. Our greatest passion is to see lives changed through the good news of Jesus Christ.
2 comments:
The Shara impatience is certainly a lesson for today. In our "get it now society" we often overlook those who are most needy to satisfy or own desires. Shara acted in haste and without compassion of someone of lesser standing. Every person is important regardless of standing or wealth. Every job is important and we all need to make sure we understand that.
I can relate to sarai and the long wait she had to go through to have a child. i did not get married until my early thirties, was a bridesmaid 10 times (maybe more i stopped counting) Listened to everyone asking when i would get married blah blah blah so when i did get married i felt i needed to get pregnant right away. i took all kinds of matters into my own hands to make it happen and spent much of my time disappointed and literally could not stand to be around anyone pregnant. i eventually had a great child but i learned some very character building lessons. ( i did not have to wait until i was 90 though so she had it much harder than me)
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