paravanes:meditations

(c) Deborah Evans If you haven't reviewed it, read the July 22 post for the first part of this story. There are two summary lessons from Hagar's story. Let's take a look at them. As you read, consider how these lessons may apply to you. Lesson 1: Although none of the "power players" in Hagar's environment cared about her, God cared and God acted. This caring and this acting made all of the difference. If you read the previous post, you know the power players in Hagar's life were Abraham and Sarah, her owners. Both Abraham and Sarah used Hagar without concern for her well-being or safety. When Sarah felt Hagar was no longer useful, Sarah ordered her husband to throw Hagar and Hagar's son out of the house. Sarah's husband obeyed. In fact, God directed Abraham to obey his wife Sarah regarding throwing Hagar out of the house. If God cared about Hagar, why did he allow Hagar and Ishmael (her son) to be put out of the house and into the wilderness? God w...

(c) Deborah Evans Hagar's story (beginning in Genesis 16 and ending in Genesis 21) is a story about injustice to and enslavement of women in the ancient world. Hagar's story also tells us how God loves those considered disposable and unimportant. Hagar's story is complex.. Read Genesis 16 through 21. As you read the story, you will learn how Sarah, Hagar's owner and mistress, manipulated and misused Hagar. Early in the story, Hagar runs away and God tells Hagar to go back. Was God endorsing slavery? In this case, God had a plan, a timed plan, that delayed (but not denied) Hagar's departure. Sarah urges her husband Abraham to have intercourse with Hagar. Sarah is hoping to "take and own" any male child resulting from this interaction. Abraham follows Sarah's urging and a child, Ishmael, is born by Hagar. Eventually, in light of God's promise, Sarah and Abraham have a son of their own named Isaac. As time passes, Sarah is offended by the actions and ...