In Genesis 16, Abram and Sarai have been ten years in Canaan. God promised an heir. Ten years in a culture where a barren woman is degraded was a long season, especially for Sarai. If God is taking His time, perhaps it is time to do something about it. In this chapter we consider the action taken, the result of the action and see a merciful Father at work.
Action Taken
Sarai acted according to the custom of the time. If you are barren, have a child through your maidservant. Abram went along with the plan and Hagar became as a wife to Abram.
Result of the Action
The action resulted in a pregnancy. God could have closed Hagar’s womb as He often did throughout scripture, but God does as He pleases, and Ishmael was born. Sarai, Hagar and Abram became combatants. Conflict became the atmosphere to which Ishmael was born. At one point the conflict caused Hagar to flee.
Merciful Father
Despite the details of the scenario, we see our merciful Father. God intervened. An angel of the LORD spoke to Hagar in her despair, revealing Himself. She called Him, The God who sees. The God who told her about the son she would bear, his name, and his future. He too would be a mighty nation. But, He sent her back to Sarai where the story continued.
In this chapter we considered the action taken, the result of the action and see a merciful Father at work.