In this chapter, both Sarai (Sarah) and Abram (Abraham) are impatient and cannot wait for the Lord to fulfill His promise of a son. Sarah offers her handmaid Hagar to Abraham as a means to a son and Abraham quickly accepts the offer. Their refusal to wait on the Lord results in additional trials and sorrows. It has always been and will ever be so.

What Does It Say?

1. Sarai had an handmaid, an _____________, whose name was ____________.
2. Abram had dwelt for _______ years in the land of Canaan.
3. The angel found Hagar by a fountain in the _______________ in the way to ________.
4. The angel told Hagar to __________ to her mistress and to ___________ herself under her hands.
5. Abram was fourscore and ________ years old when Ishmael was born.

What Does It Mean?

1. Sarai gave Hagar to Abram so that she might “obtain children by her” (Genesis 16:2And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.
   See All...). Why was this so important to Sarah? How could she obtain children by Hagar? How does this compare with the story found in Genesis 30:1-6 [1] And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die. [2] And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, Am I in God's stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb? [3] And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her. [4] And she gave him Bilhah her handmaid to wife: and Jacob went in unto her. [5] And Bilhah conceived, and bare Jacob a son. [6] And Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son: therefore called she his name Dan.
   See All...?
2. When Hagar saw that she was with child, her mistress Sarah “was despised in her eyes” (Genesis 16:4And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.
   See All...). This prompts Sarah to approach Abraham in anger (verse 5). Compare this with the record of Hannah and Peninnah in 1Samuel 1:1-7 [1] The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see. [2] O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! [3] Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention. [4] Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth. [5] Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvelously: for I will work a work in your days which ye will not believe, though it be told you. [6] For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwellingplaces that are not their's. [7] They are terrible and dreadful: their judgment and their dignity shall proceed of themselves.
   See All.... Notice that Hannah has an adversary who is female—“her adversary” (1Samuel 1:6For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwellingplaces that are not their's.
   See All...). What is happening in these stories? What can we learn from these stories?
3. Ishmael became the father of the Arab peoples. Consider God’s description of him in Genesis 16:12And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.
   See All... – “And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.” What does this verse tell us about the conflicts that have gone on for so long in the Middle East?

What Does It Mean to Me?

1. When Hagar despised Sarah, Sarah blamed Abraham—“My wrong be upon thee… the LORD judge between me and thee” (Genesis 16:5And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee.
   See All...). Yet, Sarah had offered Hagar to Abram (verse 2). What does this tell us about what was going on in this chapter? What does it tell us about ourselves?
2. After the appearance of the angel of the Lord, Hagar gave God the name: “thou God seest me” (Genesis 16:13And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?
   See All...). Look at the following scriptures: Genesis 31:42Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.
   See All...; Exodus 32:9And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people:
   See All...; 2Kings 20:5Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD.
   See All...; Isaiah 57:18I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners.
   See All...; Jeremiah 23:23Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off?
   See All...). What is the significance of this title? How does this aspect of God help us in our daily lives?

Suggested Memory Verse

Genesis 16:13And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?
See All...