Overview: (NET) The passage records the birth of Ishmael to Abram through an Egyptian woman. The story illustrates the limits of Abram’s faith as he tries to obtain a son through social custom. The barrenness of Sarai poses a challenge to Abram’s faith, just as the famine did in chap. 12. As in chap. 12, an Egyptian figures prominently. (Perhaps Hagar was obtained as a slave during Abram’s stay in Egypt.)
3 Persons were mentioned:
Abram:v.2 (NET) Abram did what Sarai told him. This expression was first used in Gen 3:17 of Adam’s obeying his wife. In both cases the text highlights weak faith and how it jeopardized the plan of God.
Sarai: She repeatedly mentioned God's name in her conversation/
v.2 “Since the LORD has prevented me from having children, have sexual relations with my servant. Perhaps I can have a family by her.”
v.5 "...May the LORD judge between you and me!"
(NET) Sarai blamed Abram for Hagar’s attitude, not the pregnancy. Here she expects to be vindicated by the LORD who will prove Abram responsible. A colloquial rendering might be, “God will get you for this.” It may mean that she thought Abram had encouraged the servant girl in her elevated status.
Reflection: She always mentioned God but she did not really honor God as her master. She commanded her husband to sexaul relationship with her servant so that she could have a child. God promised Abram to have a son of his own, but Sarai did not intended to help Abram to have a child. She thought of she herself to have a child.
When she was despised by Hagar, she treated her harshly. Then Hagar ran away. If God did not intervene then Sarai would have lost Hagar and her child, whom Sarai wanted to have. I think Sarai thought that her way was the high way and now she suffered the consequences of that.
Are you like Sarai who mentioned God's name often, but do not see God as your master? Do you boss your husband around and give him commands?
Hagar: In hindsight, we knew that God has prepared a son to Abram through Sarah. Hagar's son was not part of the plan. However, God did not just let Hagar to suffer. He appears to Hagar and told her that her son will be blessed.
v.12 He will be a wild donkey of a man.
He will be hostile to everyone,
and everyone will be hostile to him.
He will live away from his brothers.”
(NET) A wild donkey of a man. The prophecy is not an insult. The wild donkey lived a solitary existence in the desert away from society. Ishmael would be free-roaming, strong, and like a bedouin; he would enjoy the freedom his mother sought.
Ishmael means God hears or may God hear (NET). Hagar also called God the One who sees her v.13, 14.
(NET) The Hebrew name Beer Lahai Roi means “The well of the Living One who sees me.” The text suggests that God takes up the cause of those who are oppressed.
Reflection: God is mercy to us. He did not treated us like a number. Even man (Abrama and Sarai) made mistakes and let others (Hagar and Ishmael) to suffer God have mercy and help the oppressed. Do you feel like Hagar and suffered from other's mistakes? e.g. the pandemic or the riot. God would not forget us and He is mercy to us.
Audrey
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