Studies In Genesis: Chapters 16 Series

Note: When doing a study on a book in the Bible you use a lot of resources. The major influence for me on this study of Genesis is The Genesis Record by Henry Morris.

As we come to Chapter 16 it is amazing how the tides change. Abram went from perfect in God's eyes to now tring to fulfill God's promises his way.

Genesis 16

1. Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an

handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name [was] Hagar.

Let us notice one thing about this handmaid she was an Egyptian hand maid. What is Egypt the symbol of? The world. All Egypt was a symbol of this. Now we will see why it was a mistake for Abram to carry her along.

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.

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.

This is a sin that is recorded in the Bible. As I have said before the Bible records the highs and lows of the great men of God. This was a low point. God did not approve of this. This was a common pratice during this time. Custom wise there was nothing wrong but God intened for man to have one wife not many and we see it causes problems.

I believed that Hagar may have tried to rub it in to her master. First she was a lowly old servant one who worked for Sarai. Now she was in her mind above her master. She was the one who was fertile and not barren. She was the one to bare Abram a child and Sari despised her for this.

I believe that sin always has consequences. When you try to do it your way instead of God's way then there is sinful consequences. Let us see the consequence

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.

Now we see that Sarai repents. She feels guilty for what she has done. She has not trusted God. But now she realizes this. She tells Abram that he must do something about this girl. This dis respectful servant.

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.

I believe what we see here mainly is jealously between two ladies. The problem was that Sarai was the master. Now custom would not allow for a servant to be run off after she was pregnant. It was wrong and they both knew this. So Sarai decied to shun her. This would get rid of her. Now we see that it worked

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.

So we see that she leaves. Now this would seem to have solved all the problems but God would not have it this way. No way. Even though it was done in sin and a child is born God still has respect for life. He would not allow for this child to die in the wilderness on the way to Egypt he makes an interceeding

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.

So he tells her to turn away and go back. It must not end this way God has another plan for 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.

Read 21:13 This is why God took care of Abram's son Ismael

Genesis 21:13 And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation,

because he [is] thy seed.

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