Hagar and Sarah - God's Plan

Scripture for this week: Genesis 16:1-16; 21:1-21

My Comments: Hagar was a woman of courage and endurance. She persevered through abuse and a tragic life. God did not abandon her. When Hagar felt death was inevitable for her and her son, God was by their side.

I might create a different ending to the story. It would be an ending where all the bickering would be resolved. What would it look like if, in the end, Sarah and Hagar were forgiving, patient and learning to live together?

I wanted God to fix the mess created by Sarah and Hagar. But God didn’t fix things the way I expected. Much is learned about God here. As the story unfolds, God shows His love for each member of Abraham’s family. God is seen providing care, protection and blessings for each according to their need and according to His plan.

God has a plan for my life and He shows the same love to me. I can think of many times He has taken care of my needs. There was the long awaited phone call to reassure me my daughter had arrived safely home amid a terrible storm. There was the report that my husband would recover from a major stroke. I am still learning not to run off ahead of Him or shut Him out of what’s going on in my life. I know He wants me to turn to Him so He can love me, protect me, and bless me in good times and in bad times. What more could I ask for, what more could I possibly need? God is faithful…all the time!

Scripture for today: For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Scripture of this week.

Monday - Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14 (NIV)

Tuesday - I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8 (NIV)

Wednesday - Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:7-10 (NIV)

Thursday - May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us. Psalm 97:1 (NIV)

Friday – For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Sarah and Hagar - A Family Separated

Scripture for this week: Genesis 16:1-16; 21:1-21

My Comments: As Ishmael grew up he and Hagar continued to harass Sarah and Isaac. Sarah was fearful of the future for Isaac as Abraham’s heir. She caused Abraham great sadness when he had to send Hagar and Ishmael out into the desert where they would die. I was relieved to read about God’s protection of Hagar and Ishmael from Sarah’s hatred. Hagar found freedom and chose a wife for Ishmael from Egypt, which was her homeland.

The details of the resentful struggle between Sarah and Hagar are not told. In my imagination I think of Ishmael spending his time as a young impressionable child amid hatred, jealousy, fear and pride. He probably witnessed his mother being constantly mistreated and his mother reacting with contempt.

I found God’s words regarding Ishmael before he was born very interesting: “He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone’s hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.” Was his hostility passed down to him from Hagar and Sarah’s behavior? Later in Genesis, I see that Ishmael handed his hostility down to his sons (Genesis 25:18).

The story of Sarah and Hagar was a sad one for me. Their family became separated because of their hatred for one another. A father, Abraham, was put in the position of choosing between his two sons. Many people, today, have experienced the pain of bickering, blaming and separations within families. Sides are taken and all communication shuts down.

On the other hand I think the story of Sarah and Hagar can bring hope. We can see that God did not condemn one side of a family quarrel and bless the other. Sarah’s Isaac received God’s blessings. Hagar’s Ishmael received God’s blessings as well. In spite of how he came into the world God allowed Ishmael’s descendants to become a nation. What a gracious God!

Scripture for Today: May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us. Psalm 67:1

Sarah - Shutting God Out

Scripture for this week: Genesis 16:1-16; 21:1-21

My Thoughts: My thinking has led me back to Sarah today.

At the time in history when Sarah lived, a woman who could not have children was looked down on. I’m sure Hagar, without saying anything, communicated her superiority and contempt to Sarah. I can imagine how Sarah was hurting not only from the reality of not being able to have a child but the reality that someone else could. Sarah also felt the ridicule from how proud Hagar had become to be the one to give Abraham a son.

Sarah seems to forget the part she played in what unfolded between her and Hagar and within Abraham’s household. She chose to take matters in her own hands and shut God out. She allowed her hurt and anger to override her judgment regarding her behavior. She even blamed Abraham! Since Hagar was Sarah’s personal possession, Sarah set out to humiliate her and drive her out her sight. Abraham told Sarah to deal with Hagar as she pleased.

Sarah’s faith was challenged. She set out to humiliate Hagar but the result was her own disgrace. Sarah shows the destruction that can happen within a person when they turn away from God.

Sometimes it is difficult to do what God is asking. Sarah took things into her own hands trying to do what she thought God wanted. Later she had to surrender to God’s plan because He was going to complete it in spite of Sarah’s attempt to shut Him out.

Looking at Sarah’s story has caused me to pause and reflect on my own life. With God’s help, I am looking for places where I may be shutting Him out because of some hurt, anger or desire to just put it out of sight. He wants all of my life to be surrendered to Him.


Scripture for Today: Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:7-10