We will now see the fruit of Abram’s Sojourn in Egypt. Recall that it was a crisis in Abram’s faith that lead him to run to Egypt during a period of famine. Rather than fully trusting God’s promise – he went to Egypt, which represents the flesh. Even so, he came out of Egypt more full than when he arrived, which is testimony to God’s faithfulness, even in our time of weakness. But, Abram came out of Egypt with more than goods, he also brought home a slave girl named Hagar.
1 Now Sarai Abram’s wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.
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.
Abram is now 85 years old, and he had arrived in Canaan 10 years previously. In our last devotional, Abram had suggested to God that perhaps he could obtain an heir though his servant – Eliezer. God said no. So what just happened in verse two? Abram did not consult the Lord – Abram heeded his wife. Many wives give very wise counsel; but in this case, Sarai’s manipulation was in direct opposition to God’s promise.
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.
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.
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.
Hagar conceives easily, and consequently feels superior to her mistress, Sarai. Now feeling the pain of her foolish and impulsive decision, Sarai complains to her husband, who then gives her permission to do whatever she wants to her maidservant. After harsh treatment – pregnant Hagar runs away.
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.
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.
The Lord does not want us to run away from our problems.
10 And the angel of the Lord said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.
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 Ishmael; because the Lord hath heard thy affliction.
12 And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.
Here, Hagar is given the prophecy of the descendants of Ishmael her son, who will become some of the very same people in conflict with Israel today.
13 And she called the name of the Lord that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?
Thou God seest me – for the first time, God is called “El Roi,” the God who sees.
14 Wherefore the well was called Beer–lahai–roi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.
15 And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son’s name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael.
16 And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.
Genesis 16: 1-16
- Again and again, the failure to trust in God’s solemn promises reap terrible consequences.
- Ishmael is foreseen to be a “wild man,” and his hand is against everyone, meaning innate violence
- Sarai tries to anticipate God – as if He needs help!
- Abram gives his wife’s desires precedence over his covenant with God.
The Vine Vigil 