INTRODUCTION: God's people are in many respects a strange lot. In Genesis 14-15, Abraham is seen as a shining example of faith. In Genesis 16, however, he is found acting in unbelief. The fact that saints are subject to influence from different forces accounts for these inconsistencies [Galatians 5:16-17]. We can only rejoice that God does not permit true saving faith to fail [I John 5:4].I. THE NEED OF FAITH - verse 1.
God often waits to act until His plan becomes humanly impossible to carry out. Abraham was eighty-five and had no children. Sarah was well past the child-bearing years.What hope of having a child could they have had? The answer of course is that God's promise should have been sufficient for them. God always keeps His word. He does it, however, in a manner that glorifies Himself. His timing and methods are often a trial to the flesh. We must learn that faith must be accompanied with patience if it is to calmly wait for God to fulfill His word [Hebrews 6:12; 10:35-36].
II. TEMPTATION - verses 1-3.
Note well how subtle the approach of temptation can be:
A. It came from a godly person [I Peter 3:6].
B. It came from someone close to Abraham.
C. It was a well-meaning attempt to "help God."Yet:
A. It clashed with God's plan for marriage.
B. It was nothing but a human device to bolster a divine plan.III. AN ALLEGORY.
The marriage and subsequent events are used in the Scripture as an allegory teaching us the danger of attempting to be saved by the law [Galatians 4:21-31]. This will be expounded as we proceed. Preachers have also used this as an example of the folly of attempting to do God's work in the power of the flesh.IV. A POLYGAMOUS MARRIAGE - verses 4-6.
The purpose of marriage is the happiness of mankind and the rearing of godly children [Malachi 2:15]. Polygamy is the enemy of both of these goals. There has never been a polygamous marriage where jealousy and bitterness did not enter. Sadly this always passes down to the children [Genesis 21:9-11]. After Hagar conceived she began to act in a way that greatly irritated Sarah. Abraham thus allowed Sarah to "put her in her place." This precipitated such resentment that Hagar fled from home.V. BEERLAHAIROI - verses 7-14.
Doubtless as Hagar journeyed she began to reflect and to cool off. While she rested at a fountain of water, the Angel of the LORD (Jehovah) appeared to her. Those familiar with Scripture know that the Angel of the LORD was none other than the Son of God. Hagar was instructed to return to Abraham's house and thus fulfill God's plan for her. Probably she was already contemplating this herself.Hagar, seemingly, was personally a godly woman. She seems to have been very impressed by this meeting with God. Like so many Old Testament people, she was surprised to have seen God and lived. They knew that no one could see God's full glory and survive.
Hagar was also impressed by the fact that God was a God Who always saw her. She henceforth referred to God as "Thou God seest me." She named the well where she met God Beerlahairoi, which means "the well of Him that liveth and seeth me." How many people never realize that God sees their every act and thought. They would be shocked to know that God pays attention to them. May we live as those who remember that we are observed by the "all-seeing-eye" of our Lord.
VI. GOD'S PROMISES TO HAGAR - verses 10-12.
Seemingly for Abraham's sake, God blessed Hagar and Ishmael [Genesis 17:18]. However, the descendants of Ishmael have always been enemies of Israel. Does this not illustrate the fact that God's work carried out in the power or wisdom of the flesh will always produce problems and ultimately harm the work of the Lord?Notice the promises and prophecies given to Hagar:
A. Her descendants would be a multitude.
B. She would have a son who was to be named Ishmael.
C. Ishmael would be a violent man, who would both oppose and be opposed. Seemingly the Arab people, descended from Ishmael, have often exemplified this. VII. ISHMAEL BORN - verses 15-16. Ishmael was born of a bondwoman and was conceived strictly through the power of the flesh. He will forever stand as a type of those who seek salvation through the law.
=================