Genesis 16 – What could go wrong?
God promised to give Abram a multitude of offspring, yet Sarai was barren, and she blamed God for her condition, saying, “Behold now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children.” (:2) She decided to help God keep His promise by giving her maid, Hagar, to Abram as a surrogate.
Once pregnant, Hagar looked on Sarai with contempt :4. Sarai then gets mad at Abram! He is the spiritual leader of the household, and he’s not leading. He didn’t lead when Sarai decided to help God, and he is not leading now.
Abram bows out and reminds her Hagar is her maid and tells her to do as she pleases. Sarai treats Hagar harshly, and Hagar flees.
An angel of the LORD finds pregnant, destitute Hagar by a spring in the wilderness and talks to her. First, he asks her to open up. He lets Hagar know she is heard and understood. He tells her to return to her mistress, and he gives her some great inside information about the child she is carrying. She calls the LORD, Beer Lahai Roi, the-God-Who-Sees-Me, and does as he says. Ishmael is born when Abram is 86 years old.
Now, jump back to Chapter 12 and recall when Abram took his family to Egypt. This is most likely where Hagar was acquired, and we see this deeper fall-out from not trusting God as it continues to ripple through the lives of Abram and his people.
Beloved, there are casualties to veering off course, yet still the LORD is with you, working all things out for your good and His glory. 💖👀🤰🙌👶👀💖
Judy in the Sky 