The Other Woman,The Other Child

Genesis 16:1-16

Created by David Turnerwww.BibleStudies-Online.com

Don’t force God’s plans

• God promised to give Abram children:– Gen. 15:5 5 The LORD took him outside and said, “Gaze into

the sky and count the stars – if you are able to count them!” Then he said to him, “So will your descendants be.”

• Abram and Sarai were impatient. “Maybe God needs our help to fulfill his plan.”– First, Abram thought it was Lot– Then he thought it was his servant’s child– Now he and his wife will attempt to make it Sarai’s servant’s

child• If God promised it, let Him reveal the details in His time.

Genesis 16:1-161 Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had not given birth to

any children, but she had an Egyptian servant named Hagar. 2 So Sarai said to Abram, “Since the LORD has prevented me from having children, have sexual relations with my servant. Perhaps I can have a family by her.” Abram did what Sarai told him. 3 So after Abram had lived in Canaan for ten years, Sarai, Abram’s wife, gave Hagar, her Egyptian servant, to her husband to be his wife.

4 He had sexual relations with Hagar, and she became pregnant. Once Hagar realized she was pregnant, she despised Sarai. 5 Then Sarai said to Abram, “You have brought this wrong on me! I allowed my servant to have sexual relations with you, but when she realized that she was pregnant, she despised me. May the LORD judge between you and me!” 6 Abram said to Sarai, “Since your servant is under your authority, do to her whatever you think best.” Then Sarai treated Hagar harshly, so she ran away from Sarai.

7 The LORD’s angel found Hagar near a spring of water in the desert – the spring that is along the road to Shur. 8 He said, “Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?” She replied, “I’m running away from my mistress, Sarai.” 9 Then the LORD’s angel said to her, “Return to your mistress and submit to her authority. 10 I will greatly multiply your descendants,” the LORD’s angel added, “so that they will be too numerous to count.”

11 Then the LORD’s angel said to her, “You are now pregnant and are about to give birth to a son. You are to name him Ishmael, for the LORD has heard your painful groans. 12 He will be a wild donkey of a man. He will be hostile to everyone, and everyone will be hostile to him. He will live away from his brothers.”

13 So Hagar named the LORD who spoke to her, “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “Here I have seen one who sees me!” 14 That is why the well was called Beer Lahai Roi. (It is located between Kadesh and Bered.) 15 So Hagar gave birth to Abram’s son, whom Abram named Ishmael. 16 (Now Abram was 86 years old when Hagar gave birth to Ishmael.)

Don’t think God’s promise can’t happen unless we help God.

1 Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had not given birth to any children,

but she had an Egyptian servant named Hagar.

•God promised Abram children.• He didn’t say it would be

through me.• I’m past the age of

having children.• Let us help God.

Sarai Contemplates a scheme to force God’s promise.

2 So Sarai said to Abram, “Since the LORD has prevented me from having children, have sexual relations with my servant. Perhaps I can have a

family by her.”Abram did what Sarai

told him.

•Regarding Sarai• This was a culturally

acceptable practice. But cultural acceptability doesn’t make right.• Sarai may have been

more concern with the cultural shame than fulfilling God’s promise.

•Regarding Abram• He is being a passive

participant.

Conclusion: Both are implicated.

3 So after Abram had lived in Canaan for ten years, Sarai, Abram’s wife, gave Hagar, her Egyptian servant, to her husband to be his wife.

While in Egypt, trustless Abram gave Sarai over to Pharaoh (12:10-20). Now, untrusting Sarai gives Abram over to her Egyptian servant. Abram agonized while she was in Pharaoh’s palace. Sarai must ponder as Abram is in Hagar’s tent.

Parallels between Adam and Eve and Abram and Sarai

Abram and Sarai Adam and Eve

Sarai spoke to her husband, Abram (16:2a)

Eve spoke to her husband, Adam (3:2)

Abram listened to the voice of his wife (16:2b)

Adam listened to the voice of his wife (3:17)

Sarai took Hagar to Abram (16:3a) Eve took the fruit to Adam (3:6a)

Sarai gave Hagar to her husband (16:3b) Eve gave the fruit to her husband (3:6b)

Abram Made at Least Four Mistakes

1. He had reservations, or doubts in the promise of God.

2. He listened to his wife’s ungodly advice.– Was it based on her emotions?– Was she overly concerned for him?

3. He failed to test his wife’s advice against God’s Word.

4. He failed to pray for wisdom or guidance.

There are negative Consequences for forcing God’s plan

4 He had sexual relations with Hagar, and she became pregnant. Once Hagar realized

she was pregnant, she despised Sarai.

• They got what they wanted.• They got more than they

bargained for.Prov. 30:21–23 (NET)21 Under three things the earth

trembles, and under four things it cannot bear up: 22 under a servant who becomes king, under a fool who is stuffed with food, 23 under an unloved woman who is married, and under a female servant who dispossesses her mistress.

Sarai, you’ve been

demoted

Sarai goes ballistic on Abram5 Then Sarai said to Abram, “You have brought this wrong

on me! I allowed my servant to have sexual relations with you, but when she realized that she was pregnant, she despised me.

May the LORD judge between you and me!”

• In her eyes he was at fault even though he was obeying her.– You weren’t supposed

to let her fall in love with you.

– This wasn’t supposed to be competitive.

• The Lord is going to get you for this.

Abram Retreats6 Abram said to Sarai, “Since your servant is

under your authority, do to her whatever you think best.”

Then Sarai treated Hagar harshly, so she ran away from Sarai.

• Abram should have been a reconciler and laid down rules for Hagar. Sarai was asking for intervention.

• His withdrawal made it worse.

God intervenes for Hagar7 The LORD’s angel found

Hagar near a spring of water in the desert – the spring that is along the road to Shur. 8 He said, “Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?” She replied, “I’m running away from my mistress, Sarai.”

Is this the preincarnate Christ?1. Text seems to support it.2. The term angel of the Lord

implies it elsewhere in Genesis.

3. Note the similarities with the woman at the well.Neither are JewsSexual relations are at

heart in both.

Humble Yourself, I’m watching your back.

9 Then the LORD’s angel said to her, “Return to your mistress and submit to her authority. 10 I will greatly multiply your descendants,” the LORD’s angel added, “so that they will be too numerous to count.”

• Don’t run back to Egypt to get away from your problems. Go back, I have a plan for you.

• Though not the child of promise, God promises the same blessing to Hagar’s son.

1 Peter 2:18–20 (NET) 18 Slaves, be subject to your masters with all reverence, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are perverse. 19 For this finds God’s favor, if because of conscience toward God someone endures hardships in suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if you sin and are mistreated and endure it? But if you do good and suffer and so endure, this finds favor with God.

The Lord Hears11 Then the LORD’s angel

said to her, “You are now pregnant and are about to give birth to a son. You are to name him Ishmael, for the LORD has heard your painful groans.

• Even though she is not carrying the child of promise, God cares and hears her sorrow.

• God hears our sorrows.“An angel announces the birth of Hagar’s son much like the angel Gabriel in Luke 1 proclaims the birth of Jesus. Both announcements are given to the mother., both women are greeted, both are told that they will bear a son, both are given God’s favor, both are given their son’s name, the future achievements of each son are promised, and the women both respond with thanks to God.”Krell, Kieth. “beware of Shortcuts” www.bible.org

Ishmael will be unigue12 He will be a wild donkey

of a man. He will be hostile to everyone, and everyone will be hostile to him. He will live away from his brothers.”

• He will live a solitary existence away from society.

• He will be free-roaming and strong (hand against).

• Like a bedouin, he will enjoy the freedom his mother sought.

Lit. Everyone’s hand will be against him.

God Hears and Sees13 So Hagar named the

LORD who spoke to her, “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “Here I have seen one who sees me!” 14 That is why the well was called Beer Lahai Roi. (It is located between Kadesh and Bered.)

• She names God El Roi – “The God who sees”.

• Beer Lahae Roi – “The well of the living One who sees me.”The text suggests that God takes up the cause of those who

are oppressed. In the midst of jealousy, cruelty, irresponsibility, impatience, and abundant sinfulness God’s grace stepped into the life of this despised slave girl, and showed her His kindness. From that point on, she would never forget what had happened to her. She now knew that God was the One who had been caring for her all along. Krell, Keith, “Beware of Shortcuts” reprinted from www.Bible.org

Hagar Obeys15 So Hagar gave birth to

Abram’s son, whom Abram named Ishmael. 16 (Now Abram was 86 years old when Hagar gave birth to Ishmael.)

• She obeys the angel of the Lord and returns to Sarai.

• She shared with Abram the words of the Angel.

• Abram believes her testimony and names the child Ishmael.

• Ishmael and Hagar will remain in the house for 13 years.

Lessons for us

• Wait for God to fulfill his promises his way. Don’t rush God’s plan.

• The end does not justify the means, even if we think we are helping God.

• Even God’s people can be abusive. God does not show partiality. God will intervene for the abused.

• God hears our cries when we are abused.• God sees our mistakes and yet treats them with

mercy.

If you’re a SaraiGod loves you, wait on Him.

If you’re a HagarGod hears your sorrow

Call out to himIf you’re an Abram

Be patient. Wait for God’s guidance.