Abram’s wife Sarai had borne him no children. She had, however, an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar. Sarai said to Abram: “The Lord has kept me from bearing children. Have intercourse, then, with my maid; and perhaps I shall have sons through her.” Abram heeded Sarai’s request. Thus after Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, his wife Sarai took her maid, Hagar the Egyptian, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his concubine. He had intercourse with her, and she became pregnant. When she became aware of her pregnancy, she looked on her mistress with disdain. So Sarai said to Abram: “You are responsible for this outrage against me, I myself gave my maid to your embrace; but ever since she became aware of her pregnancy, she has been looking on me with disdain. may the Lord decide between you and me!” Abram told Sarai: “Your maid is in your power. Do to her whatever you please.” Sarai then abused her so muchy that Hagar ran away from her. (Genesis 16:1-6)
Sarah had become frustrated with her inability to bear children. Instead of waiting patiently for God, she took matters into her own hands. When the results did not meet her desired expectations, she further compounds her impatience by lashing out at the willing participant in her plans.
Questions to Ponder:
- When it appears as if God is not fulfilling His promises how do I respond?
- Do I trust God to work in His own time or do I take matters into my own hands?
- I interfere with God’s plans, do I then entrust God to help me clean up the mess or do I further the situation by becoming petulant and angry?
- Am I willing to wait on God?
- Do I learn from my mistakes?
Lord Jesus, help me to have the steadfast faithfulness of Sarah. Hold me up and carry me through those times when my faith falters. Let Sarah serve as a reminder of the rewards of faithfulness. Amen.
All for the Glory of God
Christina Weigand
Excerpted from Women of the Bible: A Study by Christina Weigand