Genesis 16:4-6 So Abram had sexual relations with Hagar, and she became pregnant. But when Hagar knew she was pregnant, she began to treat her mistress, Sarai, with contempt. Then Sarai said to Abram, “This is all your fault! I put my servant into your arms, but now that she’s pregnant she treats me with contempt. The Lord will show who’s wrong – you or me!” Abram replied, “Look, she is your servant, so deal with her as you see fit.” Then Sarai treated Hagar so harshly that she finally ran away.
Do you see how convoluted and messed up your lives become when you take matters into your own hands? Do you see how when you do this it is a clear indication of the depth of your faith? Do you see how it points out the level of trust you have for Me? What a mess they made when Abram agreed to impregnate Hagar. Everything changed. Hagar became disrespectful of Sarai. Sarai became resentful and angry and bitter toward Hagar. She blamed Abram for Hagar’s attitude, even though it was she that insisted Abram have relations with Hagar. Abram retreated into weakness and told Sarai to do whatever she wanted to Hagar, so she took her anger and bitterness out on Hagar, driving her to run away while she was pregnant. The entire household was in a mess and everyone was angry, bitter and resentful. Though her attitude toward Sarai was not acceptable, the only real victim here was Hagar. She did not ask to be used as a surrogate. She did not ask to have sexual relations with Abram. She was a servant and did as she was told. Oh, what a mess. And it did not end there. It went on to become an eternal enmity between two peoples: the heirs of Ishmael and those of Isaac. All of history was changed by one act of disobedience and a lack of trust and faith in My promises. Do you have faith that I will keep my promises? Will you endure whatever is in your path while you wait for them to be fulfilled? Or will you take matters into your own hands and risk wreaking a lifetime of havoc? The choice is always yours. But do not lose sight of the potential damage that can be done by disobedience and impatience…….
Amanuensis 