Reading: Genesis 16
Sarai is impatient about the long delay in the fulfilment of God’s promise for a son. So she takes unjustified action. Instead of honouring God’s ways and waiting for the Lord’s time, she persuades Abram to take Hagar and have the promised son by her. Abram, who did not take Hager because of lust, should have refused. He knows that God will deliver His promises. He also knows God wants children to be born only within sacred marriage. Sarai perverts the law of marriage, by defiling the marital bed, which is meant only for one husband and one wife. Abram and Sarai should not have tried to do anything against the will of God and the legitimate order of nature. God’s displeasure is displayed later when Hagar and her son Ishmael cause much trouble in the family and eventually have to leave. Abram and Sarai should have continued to live obediently in faith. But they failed the test.
We learn here that God commands his people to be quiet, have faith and wait patiently for the Lord. He will give them everything they need in His time. People who hasten and act independently judge God for not acting as they want. As a result they fall into sin and much misery follows.
Key verse: Gen 16:13 “Then she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees”.
Question: Hagar named the Lord “You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees”. What guidance and comfort is there in this for you?