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Sarai's Suggestion - Genesis 16:1-16

Genesis 16 recounts the impatience of Abram and Sarah and the tragic consequences all of us experience when we fail to wait on the Lord.

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Sarai's Suggestion - Genesis 16:1-16

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  1. An expositional study taught by Harry Morgan

  2. For those of you online post your comments or questions in the “comment section” on your screen. As time affords, they may be read to the class.

  3. Genesis 15 Abram is seen as the man of faith, in chapter 16 as the man of unbelief. In Genesis 15 he “believed in the Lord,” in Genesis 16 he “hearkened to the voice of Sarai.” There he walks after the Spirit, here he acts in the energy of the flesh. Sad inconsistency! But One could say, “I do always these things that please Him” (John 8:29). Pink, A. W. (2005). Gleanings in Genesis (p. 173).

  4. 1. What 3 promises did God give to Abram in Genesis 12:1-3? 1Now the LORD had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. 2I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. 3I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

  5. 2. Of the 3 promises, which 2 promises are threatened or challenged in Genesis 12 to 16? Explain how. ➢ Seed ➢ Soil

  6. 2. Of the 3 promises, which 2 promises are threatened or challenged in Genesis 12 to 16? Explain how. ➢ 12:1-9, a testing journey with a promise (1-3) (choose God over ancestors) ➢ 12:10-20, Abram compromises Sarah in a strange land (Egypt) ➢ 13a, Abram and Lot; strife over land ➢ 13b, Separation from Lot, a potential heir ➢ 13c, Divine promise of the land Van Paranuk, www.cyber-chapel.org

  7. 2. Of the 3 promises, which 2 promises are threatened or challenged in Genesis 12 to 16? Explain how. ➢ 14, The Promise of Blessing to the Nations: Abram and Lot; cities of the plain; covenants with gentiles ➢ 15, God’s covenant with Abram: Land and Seed ➢ 16a, Announcement of Ishmael’s Birth ➢ 16b, Birth of Ishmael (surprisingly, at the center! At this point the reader expects that Ishmael is the answer to the promise))

  8. 3. What parallels do you find between Genesis 3 and Genesis 16? Chapter 3 Chapter 16 The woman proposes to take something forbidden. The man “hearkens to the voice of his wife” God asks someone a question involving location 6 2 17 2 9 “Where art thou?” 8 “Whence camest thou? Whither wilt thou go?”

  9. 3. What parallels do you find between Genesis 3 and Genesis 16? “to curse” (qālal) in 3:17; 16:4–5

  10. 4. What do you think “now” refers to in vs. 1? 1Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. And she had an Egyptian maidservant whose name was Hagar. Genesis 15:4 And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, “This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.”

  11. 4. What do you think “now” refers to in vs. 1?

  12. 5. What is Sarah’s predicament? 2So Sarai said to Abram, “See now, the LORD has restrained me from bearing children. Please, go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram heeded the voice of Sarai.

  13. 5. What is Sarah’s predicament? ➢ Time lapse Genesis 12:1-3 Abram is 75 Genesis 15:6 Abram is 85 ➢ Impatience

  14. 6. What did barrenness or infertility mean to women in the Old Testament? (Gen. 1:28; 24:60; Ruth 4:11-12; Deut. 28:4, 11) ➢ Barrenness regarded as a great evil and a divine punishment (19:31; 30:1, 23; Lev. 20:20). ➢ Fruitfulness regarded as a great good and a divine blessing (21:6; 24:60; Ex. 23:26; Deut. 7:14).

  15. 7. What was Sarai’s proposal and what was her expectation? 2So Sarai said to Abram, “See now, the LORD has restrained me from bearing children. Please, go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram heeded the voice of Sarai. “surrogate motherhood”

  16. 8. How were Abram and Sarai’s responses similar and different in response to her predicament? 2So Sarai said to Abram, “See now, the LORD has restrained me from bearing children. Please, go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram heeded the voice of Sarai. 3Then Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar her maid, the Egyptian, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan.

  17. 9. Did Hagar become Abram’s legal wife? Explain the consequences of this action. 3Then Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar her maid, the Egyptian, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan. Hebrew word can be used in the sense of “wife” as well as “concubine.”

  18. 10. What was wrong with her proposal? I may obtain (be builded) by her • ןב = build, is to become a house; to become a house, is to obtain children, a family. • Hagar should enlarge Sarai: Hagar’s child should be her child (see ch. 30:3). “The faith of both was defective; not indeed with regard to the substance of the promise, but with regard to the method in which they proceeded” (Calvin).

  19. 11. What regional customs, during this period, governed marital relationships? 3Then Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar her maid, the Egyptian, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan. Legal according to family law of the Hurrians at that time, note also a Nuzian text

  20. 12. Where did Hagar come from?

  21. ➢ God promised Abram children (Gen. 13:16, 15:5) ➢ Abram & Sarai were impatient: “Maybe God needs our help to fulfill His plan.” 1) Abram thought it was Lot 2) Abram thought it was his servant’s child 3) Sarai suggested taking her servant ➢ If God promised it, let Him reveal the details in His time.

  22. 13. What does the name Hagar mean? “Hagar” = “flight,” from hagar, to flee. Arabic hajara, meaning “to flee” Arabic: ّ جَح Ḥaǧǧ “pilgrimage or flight” 622 Hijah – Muhammed flees Mecca for Medina. The beginning of the Muslim calendar.

  23. The Original ّ جَح Ḥaǧǧ According to Ḥadīth, elements of the Hajj trace back to the time of Abraham (Ibrahim), around 2000 BCE. Abraham’s wife, Sarah, was unable to conceive, and upon her request, Abraham had taken their female servant, Hagar, as a partner. Hagar bore Abraham a son, Ishmael. It is believed that Abraham was ordered by God to leave Hagar (Hājar) and Ishmael (ʼIsmāʻīl) alone in the desert. Looking for shelter, food and water, Hagar ran back and forth between the hills of Safa and Marwa seven times with her son. In desparation, she laid the baby on the sand and begged for God’s assistance. The baby cried and hit the ground with his heel (some versions of the story say that the angel Gabriel (Jibral) scraped his foot or the tip of his wing along the ground), and the Zamzam Well miraculously sprang forth.

  24. 14. Was Abram married to Hagar in the same way that he was married to Sarai? Explain. 3Then Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar her maid, the Egyptian, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan. Sarai gives Hagar to Abram as an ishah. This may indicate that Hagar has a higher status in the household than that of a concubine (pilegesh). A higher status may have been necessary for the child to have full rights as Abram’s heir. Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Ge 16:3). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

  25. 15. How did Abram acquiesce to Sarai? Why do you suspect he did this? 4So he went in to Hagar, and she conceived. And when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress became despised in her eyes. 1. He had reservations, or doubts in the promise of God. 2. He listened to his wife’s ungodly advice. 3. He failed to test his wife’s advice against God’s Word. 4. He failed to pray for wisdom or guidance.

  26. 16. How is Abram’s acquiescence to Sarai similar to Adam’s to Eve? 4So he went in to Hagar, and she conceived. Abram & Sarai Sarai spoke to her husband, Abram (16:2a) Abram listened to the voice of his wife (16:2b) Sarai took Hagar to Abram (16:3a) Sarai gave Hagar to her husband (16:3b) Adam & Eve Eve spoke to her husband, Adam (3:2) Adam listened to the voice of his wife (3:5, 17) Eve took the fruit to Adam (3:6a) Eve gave the fruit to her husband (3:6b)

  27. 17. How did strife come between Sarai and Hagar? 4So he went in to Hagar, and she conceived. And when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress became despised in her eyes.

  28. (NKJV) 21 For three things the earth is perturbed. Yes, for four it cannot bear up: 22For a servant when he reigns, a fool when he is filled with food, 23a hateful woman when she is married, and a maidservant who succeeds her mistress. (Tanakh) 21 The earth shudders at three things, at four which it cannot bear: 22A slave who becomes king; a scoundrel sated with food; 23a loathsome woman who gets married; a slave-girl who supplants her mistress.

  29. 18. What are 3 things you observe about Sarai’s complaint? 5Then Sarai said to Abram, “My wrong be upon you! I gave my maid into your embrace; and when she saw that she had conceived, I became despised in her eyes. The LORD judge between you and me.” chamas (Cf. Arabic word ḥamas)

  30. 19. How did Abram respond to Sarai’s complaint? 6So Abram said to Sarai, “Indeed your maid is in your hand; do to her as you please.” And when Sarai dealt harshly with her, she fled from her presence. ➢ Abram should have been a reconciler and laid down rules for Hagar. Sarai was asking for intervention. ➢ Abram Retreated. ➢ His withdrawal made it worse.

  31. 20. How did Sarai respond to Hagar? 6So Abram said to Sarai, “Indeed your maid is in your hand; do to her as you please.” And when Sarai dealt harshly with her, she fled from her presence. הָנָע (ʿā·nāh) = “afflict,” “mistreat,” “act badly toward”

  32. 21. Where did Hagar go? Why? 7Now the Angel of the LORD found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur. Mediterranean Sea

  33. 22. What does “Shur” mean? What is its significance? 7Now the Angel of the LORD found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur. רוּ (šûr) = wall שׁ The name was probably given to it from the wall (or shur) which the Egyptians built to defend their frontier on the north-east from the desert tribes. This wall or line of fortifications extended from Pelusium to Heliopolis.

  34. 23. Who met Hagar while she was in the wilderness? 7Now the Angel of the LORD found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur. First mention of “the Angel of the Lord” Theophany / Christophany Nicolas Colombel

  35. 24. Where did the Angel of the Lord meet her? 7Now the Angel of the LORD found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur. ➢ “in the wilderness” ➢ “by a spring (fountain) of water” ➢ “on the way”

  36. 25. What social injustices and applications can you derive from Genesis 16:7-11? 7Now the Angel of the LORD found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur. 8And He said, “Hagar, Sarai’s maid, where have you come from, and where are you going?” She said, “I am fleeing from the presence of my mistress Sarai.” 9The Angel of the LORD said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit yourself under her hand.” 10Then the Angel of the LORD said to her, “I will multiply your descendants exceedingly, so that they shall not be counted for multitude.” 11And the Angel of the LORD said to her: “Behold, you are with child, And you shall bear a son. You shall call his name Ishmael, Because the LORD has heard your affliction.

  37. 25. What social injustices and applications can you derive from Genesis 16:7-11? “The text suggests that God takes up the cause of those who are oppressed. In the midst of jealousy, cruelty, irresponsibility, impatience, and abundant sinfulness God’s grace stepped into the life of this despised slave girl, and showed her his kindness. From that point on, she would never forget what had happened to her. She now knew that God was the One who had been caring for her all along.” Keith Krell, “Beware of Shortcuts” www.bible.org

  38. 26. What comparisons can you make between Genesis 16:7-14 and Exodus 2:15-22 and John 4? Hagar fleeing water Angel of the LORD Moses fleeing water Priest of Midian Woman of Sychar rejected water Jesus

  39. 27. What questions did the Angel of the Lord ask of Hagar? 8And He said, “Hagar, Sarai’s maid, where have you come from, and where are you going?” She said, “I am fleeing from the presence of my mistress Sarai.”

  40. 28. What commands did the Angel of the Lord give to Hagar? Why? 9The Angel of the LORD said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit yourself under her hand.” ➢ Return to Sarai, not Egypt. ➢ Humble yourself, Trust Me.

  41. 18Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. 19For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.

  42. 29. What promises did the Angel of the Lord make to Hagar? 10Then the Angel of the LORD said to her, “I will multiply your descendants exceedingly, so that they shall not be counted for multitude.” ➢ The contemporary Arab world has a combined population of around 422 million inhabitants, over half of whom are under 25 years of age ➢ Arab states currently consist of the 22 Arab countries

  43. 30. What did the Angel of the Lord tell Hagar that she did not know about herself? 11And the Angel of the LORD said to her: “Behold, you are with child, and you shall bear a son. You shall call his name Ishmael, because the LORD has heard your affliction.

  44. 31. How is the Announcements to Hagar and Mary similar? ➢ Both announcements are given to the mother. ➢ Both women are greeted by an Angel. ➢ Both mother’s are told they will have a son. ➢ Both are given God’s favor. ➢ Both are given their son’s name. ➢ Both are informed of their son’s future achievements. ➢ Both women respond with thanks to God. Keith Krell, “Beware of Shortcuts” www.bible.org

  45. 32. What does “Ishmael” mean? 11And the Angel of the LORD said to her: “Behold, you are with child, And you shall bear a son. You shall call his name Ishmael, because the LORD has heard your affliction. לאֵעָמ ְׁ שִׁי (yiš·mā·ʿēʾl) shamà “to hear” + “El” God” יִנֳע (ʿǒnî) affliction, suffering, persecution, harassment = misery,

  46. 33. What description does the Angel of the Lord give to Ishmael? 12He shall be a wild man; his hand shall be against every man, and every man’s hand against him. And he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.” = wild donkey, wild ass or Asian onager (pě·rě ) א ֶּ רֶּפ Note: “Paran” (pāʾrān), the location of the tribes of Ishmael later in history.

  47. 33. What description does the Angel of the Lord give to Ishmael? 12He shall be a wild man; his hand shall be against every man, and every man’s hand against him. And he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.” “He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone” is an appositional sentence… which suggests that the second clause (yāḏô ḇakkōl weyaḏ kōl bô) is an explanation of the first (wehûʾ yihyeh pereʾ ʾāḏām).” F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers (Vol. 2, p. 136). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

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