Hagar and Ishmael
Now Sarai (princess) Abram's (father of a multitude) wife bare him no children: and she had a handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. (flight) (Genesis 16: 1)
Take notice in the meaning of the names. Sarai meaning princess who has no children. Abram meaning father of a multitude whom God in Genesis 15 blessed his seed. Hagar meaning flight; she fled with her child.
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. Genesis 16: 2)
Some time had passed since the revelation of Genesis 15: 4 and Sarai impatiently implied that God was not keeping his promise. How often in our lives do we take matters into our own hands that result in less than our expectations?
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. (Genesis 16: 3)
Sarai gave Hagar to her husband to be his wife. This was strictly in accordance with the enactment of Hammurabi which Abram had brought from Ur. Plainly this is an ancient custom illustrated in Old Assyrian marriage contracts.
And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes. (Genesis 16: 4)
Despised her mistress; Peninnah acted similarly toward Hannah (1 Samuel 1: 6). Impatience, now resentment follows when we are self-centered and not God-centered. When God's plan is compromised by our actions the consequences often leaves an individual bitter.
And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid unto thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes; the Lord judge between me and thee. (Genesis 16: 5)
May the Lord judge between me and thee. An expression of hostility or suspicion arises, then we blame others for the choices me make. Abram made his supplication known to God about his seed.
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. (Genesis 16: 6)
An angel of Lord found Hagar and told her she is to return and submit herself to Sarai. Further, the angel tells Hagar he will multiply her seed exceedingly ( 10). And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Behold, thou are with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael (whom God hears); because the Lord hath heard thy affliction. (Genesis 16: 11)
In modern day conflict, the hostilities between the Arabs and Israel is the result of this disobedience. Just as the disobedience of Adam & Eve resulted in expellsion from the Garden; our disobedience will cause ramifications and we must consider, are able to stand up to the punitive damage disobedience creates.
Take notice in the meaning of the names. Sarai meaning princess who has no children. Abram meaning father of a multitude whom God in Genesis 15 blessed his seed. Hagar meaning flight; she fled with her child.
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. Genesis 16: 2)
Some time had passed since the revelation of Genesis 15: 4 and Sarai impatiently implied that God was not keeping his promise. How often in our lives do we take matters into our own hands that result in less than our expectations?
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. (Genesis 16: 3)
Sarai gave Hagar to her husband to be his wife. This was strictly in accordance with the enactment of Hammurabi which Abram had brought from Ur. Plainly this is an ancient custom illustrated in Old Assyrian marriage contracts.
And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes. (Genesis 16: 4)
Despised her mistress; Peninnah acted similarly toward Hannah (1 Samuel 1: 6). Impatience, now resentment follows when we are self-centered and not God-centered. When God's plan is compromised by our actions the consequences often leaves an individual bitter.
And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid unto thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes; the Lord judge between me and thee. (Genesis 16: 5)
May the Lord judge between me and thee. An expression of hostility or suspicion arises, then we blame others for the choices me make. Abram made his supplication known to God about his seed.
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. (Genesis 16: 6)
An angel of Lord found Hagar and told her she is to return and submit herself to Sarai. Further, the angel tells Hagar he will multiply her seed exceedingly ( 10). And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Behold, thou are with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael (whom God hears); because the Lord hath heard thy affliction. (Genesis 16: 11)
In modern day conflict, the hostilities between the Arabs and Israel is the result of this disobedience. Just as the disobedience of Adam & Eve resulted in expellsion from the Garden; our disobedience will cause ramifications and we must consider, are able to stand up to the punitive damage disobedience creates.
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