Circumventing God
Abram and Sarai’s Fall, vv. 1-4a
A. Abram was content to wait for the fulfillment of God’s promise; Sarai was not–she took matters into her own hands because 10 years had past since the promise was given.
B. Sarai’s scheme, following long-established customs, was to give Hagar, her slave, to Abram as a surrogate mother.
C. Abram “obeyed / agreed with Sarai”
Sarai’s Fault-finding Jealousy, vv. 4b-6a
A. Hagar’s social standing is upgraded because she is pregnant.
B. Sarai’s pride is bruised and jealousy embitters her.
C. Sarai blames Abram for her successful scheme.
D. Abram surrenders and says, “Treat her as you see fit.”
Hagar’s Flight from Suffering, vv. 6b-7
A. Sarai “mistreated her”
- Hebrew word translated “mistreat” is the same word to describe Israel’s suffering in Egypt.
- The word is frequently used of people escaping from attempts to kill them (Exodus 2:15).
- “What the Egyptians would later do to Sarai’s children, Sarai first did to a child of Egypt.”
B. Hagar runs away toward Shur, the land of Sinai.
C. The Disaster of Sin:
- Hagar lost her home
- Sarai lost her maid
- Abram lost his 2nd wife and future son
Hagar Flees toward the Face of God, vv. 8-13
A. The Lord asks, “Where have you come from and where are you going?”
- In Genesis 3:9, God asked Adam, “Where are you?”
- In Genesis 4:9, God asked Cain, “Where is Abel?”
- Whereas Adam and Cain deviated from the truth, Hagar was honest and straightforward.
B. The Lord orders Hagar to return and submit to her oppressive mistress.
- The Hebrew word translated as “submit” come from the same root as the words we translate “humiliate” (v. 6) and “opress” (15:3).
- Hagar is to return and submit to suffering.
C. The Lord promises “God has heard,” Ismael.
- The freedom Hagar sought will be Ishmael’s one day, (Ishmael means “wild donkey”).
- Ishmael will live a bedouin lifestyle apart from the rest of humanity.
D. Hagar realizes who is speaking to her–>God
- Hagar names God, “El-Roi,” the “God Who sees me.”
- The well at that place is named “Beer-laihai-roi,” the “Well of the living One Who cares for me.”
- Hagar returns to Abram and Sarai.
Hagar Bears Ishmael, vv. 15-16
A. Sarai is mysteriously absent. She absents herself from God because she tried to circumvent God’s will.
B. Abram names the child Ishmael. This is Abram’s and Hagar’s child.
C. Raises the question, “Is this the child of promise?” No.
Application
A. Those who short-circuit or short-cut God’s promise fall from God into sin’s slavery. God is the Great Architect; we are the contractors. God specifies directions and materials; we are to obey and follow the directions. What happens when a contractor uses 2nds and thirds when the plans call for firsts?
B. Jealousy excludes the jealous from gladness and blessing.
C. God hears the prayers of those who suffer and He cares.