SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 16
BIBLE VERSES:
“So after Abram had been living in Canaan ten years, Sarai his wife took her Egyptian slave Hagar and gave her to her husband to be his wife. He slept with Hagar, and she conceived. When she knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress.” (Genesis 16:3-4)
“The angel of the Lord also said to her: “You are now pregnant and you will give birth to a son. You shall name him Ishmael, for the Lord has heard of your misery. He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone’s hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.” (Genesis 16:11-12)
HAGAR AND ISHMAEL (vs. 1-16)
Abram’s wife Sarai was still childless. So he thought of an idea by proposing Abram to sleep with her maid-servant Hagar. Abram did what Sari said and Hagar conceived a child. When Hagai knew that she was pregnant, she began to despise Sarai. So, Sari started to mistreat Hagar. Hagar ran away. An angel of the Lord told her to go back and submit to sarai. The angel told her to name the child Ishmn\ael and promised that her descendants to be too numerous to count. When Hagar gave birth to Ishmael, Abram was 86 years old.
THOUGHTS:
Abram did not believe in God’s promised and Sarai took matter into her own hands by giving Hagar to Abram. Her lack of faith had caused a series of problems. When we try to make his promise come true through our own effort, it will always have dire consequences. When we ask God for something, we have to wait. Do not take matter into our own hands and interfere with God’s plan.
Sarai was the master plan of arranging Abram to have child with Hagar. but she later blamed Abram. Do not strike our your frustration and accuse someone. Instead admit your fault and ask forgiveness.
Sarai’s treatment to Hagar was harsh enough to cause her to run away. But the angel advised her to return to Sarai and face the problem. Running away from our problems is not the solution. We have to face them squarely. Ask God’s help and correct our attitudes.
MISTAKES 3 PEOPLE MADE AND LESSONS TO LEARN
- Sarai – she took matters into her own hands and gave Hagar to Abram. / Instead of thinking of your own plan, pray and wait
- Abram – he agreed to the plan and refuse to help solve the problem. / Think of the consequences of what you will do
- Hagai – she ran away from the problem. / Face the problems instead of running away from your problem.