16:1 It is sobering, instructive and a bit comical to read about these humans who existed so long before us but are still so similar to us! When a situation is not occurring exactly when and how we want it to, we finagle the circumstances to try to get what we want or what we think will make us happy... but because of our impatience, we really just end up complicating our lives.
16:2 Abram's wife, Sarai, determines that Abram needs an heir (a biological child). Since Sarai seemed unable to have children herself, she arranged for Abram to create a child with her maidservant Hagar. Sarai's plan was to raise the child as her own (and she was the wife of Abram).
Abram also goes along with Sarai's plan. He is also so endearingly, fallibly human. We become so anxious for the things we really want that we often abandon our patience and jump at the first chance (even if it us unrealistic or peculiar) to get it. This is why we must be patience and observant. We must cultivate wisdom and endurance within ourselves so that we are able to recognize when our true blessings are in our sphere.
16:2-4 Well, Sarai's plan worked. Hagar conceived a child. But when Hagar realized she was carrying Abram's child, she tormented Sarai about it. Try to keep this story in mind when you feel impatient in life. If you have to try too hard to force something, too desperately to make something happen, you might be forcing the wrong thing into your life.
We cannot fairly judge Hagar's behavior. It was an intimate situation. Carrying Abram's child, she became possessive of him and began to despise Sarai. She wanted to be Arbam's wife. We can only learn from this circumstance: when we offer to do a favor for someone (even one as intimate as this) we have a responsibility to do it fairly and kindly. We were not forced to do the favor, we volunteered and therefore we must maintain a sense of decorum in doing it.
There is a difference between endurance and desperation. It is necessary and good to to work hard toward a goal. But the journey to the goal should always be reasonable and logical and done without haste. Sarai rushed into something before she had enough time to realize the possible pains and consequences. That does not make her bad... it makes her human. We can all relate to this in some way. The lesson: do not force things into your life. If you're meant to have something or someone it will come to you through prayer and a life of compassion. Take logical steps toward your goals; use the means and materials around you to try to accomplish them. But be observant, when things become ridiculous, devoid of practicality, learn to release them.
To be clear, we are not only talking about having children. This applies to anything you passionately want. Do not let your passion become desperation. When the right thing or person or opportunity comes into your life, you'll be amazed by how smoothly the process unfolds. No consternation. No frustration. No flailing.
16:5-6 Sarai gives Abram an ultimatum: her or Hagar. But as this was Sarai's plan from the start, Abram gives Sarai the opportunity to make the decision about what to do with Hagar.
Sarai sent Hagar away. Even though Hagar was cruel to Sarai, Sarai revealed her own immaturity... and really showed that she was on the same plane as Hagar. They both were fallible.
16:7-8 And as He always does when we have faith in Him, God appeared in an effort to rectify their mistakes. A messenger of God joins Sarai at a spring of water, knowing her and knowing her circumstance, but giving her a chance to explain the situation in her own words.
God always knows what is going on in our lives. He knows where we are going and why we are going and so much more. Yet He always gives us the opportunity and ability to express our own opinion, our own perspective. He never dictates. He offers to lead but does not mandate that we follow.
16:9-10 Another incredible lesson we learn from Sarai and Hagar is that our free will does not thwart God's ability. We have the ability to make choices (even when they result in mistakes) but those choices do not alter God's will or disable it from unfolding. Our faith in His precision allows Him to work with our choices to ultimately promote and produce His will.
Notice that the angel did not say: "Oh no! You ruined God's plan and now you have no hope." Rather, the angel arrived with patient and concise plans from God to fix the issue and to bless all involved.
16:11 Knowing that Abram's family of descendants was to be extremely large, it is only natural that members of the family (we) would branch off from each other because of disputes or differences in interests and expressions. God is omniscient. He knows more than we do. He knew that Hagar was pregnant with a son, Ishmael (name meaning: God listens).
Ishmael is named "God Listens" because God heard Hagar. Hagar prayer to Him about her tribulation and He responded. Realize that not only did God hear Hagar's prayer, He also followed her. He always knows where His children are and what they are thinking, what they are going through. He knows the state of our health and circumstances and He has a plan. He has a plan specifically tailored to each individual.
16:12 God even knows the temperament of Hagar's child (who also represents her line of descendants). We know that biological traits pass on through generations (though of course we all have the ability and gift of free will, ability to learn, grow and if we want: change).
16:13 Hagar has a moment of reflection. She and Sarai made a bit of a mess in their lives. Yet here was God, through her faith, offering to fix all of it. Offering and reinforcing His love and wisdom and patience. Hagar realizes how intimately she is known and in her awe of Him, desires to see our God. It's amazing to her that this divine entity could do and be so much for her and yet do and be so without actually being in physical form. We can surely relate!
16:14 Hagar names the well: Beer Lahai Roi, meaning: Well of the One Who Lives and Sees Me. For our creator is certainly alive and watching over us. Catching us when we tumble. He is always available to us, offering to help us with our figurative balance... in order that we, through this journey, learn to walk as He does in patience and strength and wisdom.
16:15-16 At Abram's age of 88 Ishmael was born through Hagar.
