Sarah and Hagar Part 2

Passages: 18: 1-15 and 21:8-21

My last post left Hagar and Sarah back living together. Hagar with Abraham’s son and Sarah still without any children born to her and Abraham from her own body. We have one woman trusting God and his word and another acting out of her own will to make God’s word happen.

In chapter 18 we see that God sends his angels to Abraham and Sarah with a message.

Then the Lord said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.

(Genesis 18:10)

We then see Sarah’s response in a laugh “After I am worn out and my master old, will I now have this pleasure?” (Genesis 18:13). Sarah’s laughter comes across as if she believes God to be joking. Her reaction is one of disbelief. But when faced up to God she lies about her reaction. However, God see’s right through her laughter and doubt.

In chapter 21, Sarah and Hagar re-enter the story. This time, Sarah has had the son that God promised. He is named Isaac which means “he laughs”. It’s interesting that he is named after the exact reaction Sarah had when God told her she would have a son. Her laugh of disbelief has been turned into a laugh of joy.

Hagar on the other hand is later thrown out by the Jealous Sarah. When Sarah see’s the son Hagar bore to Abraham first she rejects this child as his. Even though it was Sarah who wanted the child to be conceived through Hagar, now that she has a child of her own; Hagar is once again pushed out of the picture. Hagar ends up in the desert with her son, they are both struggling to survive and knowing she can’t care for her son, Hagar hides him under a bush and leaves so she doesn’t have to watch him die. However, God sends an angel to Hagar to remind her that God is looking after them, just as he did a few chapters before when she escaped from Sarah into the desert. This time Hagar is not told to go back but instead God provides some water for Hagar and her son and they live and survive in the desert now. Hagar is again reminded by God that her son Ishmael are now included into the promise of being a great nation that come through Abraham. Even though Sarah and Abraham dismiss Hagar and Ishmael from their lives, God still knows that Ishmael is from Abraham and graciously still involves him in the promise. Though God assured Sarah that the blessings will be received through her son Isaac’s line, God still enables Ishmael to take part in the promises.

Here we see two different attitudes to God again.

Sarah – laughing at God but then rejoicing in his works and the keeping of his promises.

Hagar – Listening and trusting God to look after her and Ishmael in the desert.

It’s interesting the way that God responds to the different attitudes of the women. Particularly with Sarah. Sarah, going against God’s wishes enables Ishmael to come into being. Obviously God also allowed this to happen because he is in control. Sarah’s actions were to take Gods promises into her own hands and this greatly affected the life of Hagar and Ishmael. But Hagar, she remained faithful to God. She ran away and returned once God told her to, them when she was cast out from her home she trusted God to look after and provide for her and Ishmael.

God’s response to both women is to keep his promises. Both women are included in the promises made to Abraham, particularly around the great nation. Sarah is still included because she is Abraham’s wife and though she doesn’t respond rightly to God he still acts to give her the child he promised. Hagar is included in the promises now because she had Abraham’s first son Ishmael. God still cares for her and look after her and ensures that Ishmael also gets his share of the promises that he inherits from his father.

God is consistent throughout the whole ordeal. He still acts around his people and in their lives. He ensures his word is kept and cares for Hagar even though she is a slave to Sarah. God treatment of both women is the same even though they have different social positions.

It’s pretty great to know that even though Hagar wasn’t a Jew (she was an Egyptian slave remember), that God is still working in her life. She gets to take part in the blessing to Abraham and becomes mother to a son who will become a great nation. She also, being Egyptian, gets to take part in the blessing to all nations. This just shows us that not only is God consistent, keeps his word and loves us, he also has a mind for all the nations and that is shown here.

So I guess the big question to ask after looking at these two women and how they respond to God is… how then should we respond to God? Is God true to his word? Does he do what he says?

I can conclude that God is true to his word in this passage and he does exactly what he said he plans and promises. God is consistent and we see this consistency filled through the Cross when Jesus Christ was crucified. God kept his promises to Abraham and Sarah by bringing Jesus through their line. He also included all the nations, and one way of seeing that happens with Hagar the Egyptian slave.

So what do you think of God now? Isn’t it great that he used such ordinary and messy people to bring about Jesus? How should we respond knowing these things?

Those are some questions ask yourself during this week.

Keep your noses in your bibles!

Many Blessings!

Rich and Poor

I recently recieved an email from an older friend. Some of the content caused me some distress.
Here is why - they refered to me being in poverty.
And while this email was very loving and I could see the care and thought behind it, it also showed me a perspective of life that I haven't come across since I've left home.

You see, in Australia if you live in a low income suburb, far from the city, and your income covers your rent, food and transport you are considered poor.

Now I must admit that I use the phrase 'poor' often, usually in the sentence 'I can't do ...... I'm  a poor student,' but I never mean to use this sentence in a completely sincere manner.

You see, I am actually very rich. Not only compared to the millions of people around the world whose yearly income is the same as my daily train costs; but also spiritually.

Not only has the Lord provided for my immediate needs, he has also provided for me above and beyond what I deserve.

He gave us his son because we all fall short of God's purpose for us. And because of this short fall we can't reach God and know him fully. But through Christ we can be made whole again, and reach God.

God did this for you and I, and when you accept that gift and forgiveness for falling short due to wanting to make our own purposes, you are made whole again.


Galatians 1: 3-5
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.



I am rich in all areas of life. Including financially, though many would disagree.

I think many people in our society needs to be reminded that our needs and our wants are not the same. In Australia, our needs are often met so often that it becomes assumed that our wants form into our needs instead.

But people! 

We don't need all the things we want! A lot of the things we want distract us from God and tell him that we don't think he's good enough, we don't think what he's given is enough.

But remember, God provides everything, so what more do we need than him?

So even though I can't save much money, even though I can't get a brand new bag when my current one is breaking, or shoes that will last years longer than the cheaper ones  I can afford that only last for months. I know that I am rich and God provides for me.

May I never say to God - "what you've given me is not enough."

Instead let me say - "Thank you for all you've given me, thank you for caring for me and providing all that I need. Thank you that I can often get what I want too. But most importantly, thank you for Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection."

Grace and Peace to you all!

John 3:16-17

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.


Here's a link to an article on using money mindfully: http://fervr.net/teen-life/six-steps-to-using-money-gods-way-2

Many Blessings!