ABRAM AND HAGAR
16 Now Sarai Abram’s wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. 2 And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. 3 And Sarai Abram’s wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.
vs 1 The lie that brought Abram out of Egypt, likely gave Abram and Sarai this option. The lie that is most effective is the one that makes the most sense. The impatience of Abram and Sarai is what drives them to come up with the solution to an heir that Abram will father. After all, ten years has passed, God obviously needs some help from us.
vs 2 Abram like Adam will listen to his wife and agree that it is good. What Sarai is asking Abram to do is to take another wife, a young Egyptian and have a child with her. While placing the blame for what they are about to do on God. What could go wrong with this plan?
vs 3 The plan is enacted.
vs 2 Abram like Adam will listen to his wife and agree that it is good. What Sarai is asking Abram to do is to take another wife, a young Egyptian and have a child with her. While placing the blame for what they are about to do on God. What could go wrong with this plan?
vs 3 The plan is enacted.
SARAI MISTREATS HAGAR
4 And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes. 5 And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the Lord judge between me and thee. 6 But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face.
vs 4 When Hagar becomes pregnant, she realizes that she will be the one to bear the heir. In the context of the ancient world the surrogate would not supplant the first wife, the child would be seen as the first wife's child and the surrogate would remain in the household to be cared for. Sarai was barren so that she would supplant the first wife. It is clear that the reason for the lack of an heir was due to Sarai and not Abram.
vs 5-6 Sarai blames Abram for Hagars actions and Abram reminds her that she is her servant and under her power.
Sarai seems to mistreat Hagar so that she runs away. Perhaps Abram could have tried to intervene, but chose to give Sarai the control.
vs 5-6 Sarai blames Abram for Hagars actions and Abram reminds her that she is her servant and under her power.
Sarai seems to mistreat Hagar so that she runs away. Perhaps Abram could have tried to intervene, but chose to give Sarai the control.
HAGAR FLEES
7 And the angel of the Lord found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur. 8 And he said, Hagar, Sarai’s maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai. 9 And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.
vs 7-9 The angel of the Lord intervenes and tells Hagar to return.
GODS PROMISE TO HAGAR AND ISHMAEL
10 And the angel of the Lord said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude. 11 And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the Lord hath heard thy affliction. 12 And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren. 13 And she called the name of the Lord that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me? 14 Wherefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered. 15 And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son’s name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael. 16 And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.
vs 10 The angel gives Hagar a glimpse of the future of the child that she carries.
vs 11 Ishmael means "God heareth".
vs 16 Abram was 86 years old when Ishmael was born.
vs 11 Ishmael means "God heareth".
vs 16 Abram was 86 years old when Ishmael was born.