Focus Chapters:

• Genesis 15-17

Standout Verse(s):

THE ACTION

Genesis 15:2-4 and 16:2 NLT

But Abram replied, “O Sovereign Lord, what good are all your blessings when I don’t even have a son? Since you’ve given me no children, Eliezer of Damascus, a servant in my household, will inherit all my wealth. You have given me no descendants of my own, so one of my servants will be my heir.” Then the Lord said to him, “No, your servant will not be your heir, for you will have a son of your own who will be your heir.”

So Sarai said to Abram, “The Lord has prevented me from having children. Go and sleep with my servant. Perhaps I can have children through her.” And Abram agreed with Sarai’s proposal.

THE REACTION

Genesis 16:3-6 NLT

So Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian servant and gave her to Abram as a wife. (This happened ten years after Abram had settled in the land of Canaan.) So Abram had sexual relations with Hagar, and she became pregnant. But when Hagar knew she was pregnant, she began to treat her mistress, Sarai, with contempt. Then Sarai said to Abram, “This is all your fault! I put my servant into your arms, but now that she’s pregnant she treats me with contempt. The Lord will show who’s wrong—you or me!” Abram replied, “Look, she is your servant, so deal with her as you see fit.” Then Sarai treated Hagar so harshly that she finally ran away.

Observation (s):

1. God made the promise directly to Abram but Abram let Sarai’s fears cause his faith in God’s promise to diminish. This results in him acquiescing to his wife’s wishes.
   

   “No, your servant will not be your heir, for you will have a son of your own who will be your heir.”

   AND

   So Sarai said to Abram, “The Lord has prevented me from having children. Go and sleep with my servant. Perhaps I can have children through her.” And Abram agreed with Sarai’s proposal.

2. Sarai didn’t believe in God’s promise and decided to give Him a helping hand. Going against God’s plan resulted in a situation that she had not anticipated or planned for.
   

   So Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian servant and gave her to Abram as a wife. (This happened ten years after Abram had settled in the land of Canaan.) So Abram had sexual relations with Hagar, and she became pregnant. But when Hagar knew she was pregnant, she began to treat her mistress, Sarai, with contempt. Then Sarai said to Abram, “This is all your fault! I put my servant into your arms, but now that she’s pregnant she treats me with contempt. The Lord will show who’s wrong—you or me!” 

3. This situation in which the wife convinces the husband to go against God’s direct wishes is a recurring theme. The theme began with Eve convincing Adam and now Sarai convincing Abram. In both cases, instructions or promises were made to the man.

Application:

Sometimes I like to ignore God’s timing and push my own methods into the plan that He has ordained for my life. This never works out and, like Sarai, I find myself in a bigger mess than I can control. When God makes us promises, we have to be confident that they are sure and await His timing. Despite my fears or doubts, the execution of any plan is better when God is at the forefront and in the midst of it.

The recurring theme of wives convincing husbands to overrule God’s instruction is a word of caution. Wives should be cognizant that they do have power and must use that power to work with their husbands to ensure God’s plans or instructions are fulfilled, even if God’s directives are given directly to the husband.

XOXO,
Chañel

Bible Godly Lessons Abram disobedience doubts fears Hagar mess Sarai