Genesis 16
Genesis 16 unfolds primarily around the story between Abram and Sarai and Hagar. This chapter shows the results of choosing human ways while waiting for God’s promise, the conflicts that arose from that choice, and God’s working even in the midst of it.
1verseNow Sarai, Abram’s wife, bore him no children. She had a servant, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.
2verseSarai said to Abram, “See now, the LORD has restrained me from bearing. Please go in to my servant. It may be that I will obtain children by her.” Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.
3verseSarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian, her servant, after Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to Abram her husband to be his wife.
4verseHe went in to Hagar, and she conceived. When she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.
5verseSarai said to Abram, “This wrong is your fault. I gave my servant into your bosom, and when she saw that she had conceived, she despised me. May the LORD judge between me and you.”
6verseBut Abram said to Sarai, “Behold, your maid is in your hand. Do to her whatever is good in your eyes.” Sarai dealt harshly with her, and she fled from her face.
7verseThe LORD’s angel found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain on the way to Shur.
8verseHe said, “Hagar, Sarai’s servant, where did you come from? Where are you going?” She said, “I am fleeing from the face of my mistress Sarai.”
9verseThe LORD’s angel said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit yourself under her hands.”
10verseThe LORD’s angel said to her, “I will greatly multiply your offspring, that they will not be counted for multitude.”
11verseThe LORD’s angel said to her, “Behold, you are with child, and will bear a son. You shall call his name Ishmael, because the LORD has heard your affliction.
12verseHe will be like a wild donkey among men. His hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him. He will live opposed to all of his brothers.”
13verseShe called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, “You are a God who sees,” for she said, “Have I even stayed alive after seeing him?”
14verseTherefore the well was called Beer Lahai Roi. Behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.
15verseHagar bore a son for Abram. Abram called the name of his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael.
16verseAbram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram.
Main Structure and Flow
- Verses 1-3: Sarai gives Hagar to Abram as a concubine so that she can have children and solve her long-standing barrenness.
- Verses 4-6: When Hagar becomes pregnant, conflict arises between Sarai and Hagar. And when Hagar is mistreated by Sarai, she flees into the wilderness.
- Verses 7-14: God’s messenger meets Hagar in the wilderness, comforts her, and tells her that her descendants will become numerous.
- Verses 15-16: Hagar gives birth to Ishmael, and Abram names the child “Ishmael.”
Overall Meaning
Genesis 16 shows the conflicts and pain that occur when human beings prioritize their own methods instead of God while experiencing their limitations and the difficulty of waiting. However, God does not turn away from people even then, and He also cares for the marginalized, such as Hagar and Ishmael. Ultimately, God’s promise continues despite human shortcomings and mistakes.
Reflection Points
- You can reflect on the importance of patience in waiting for God’s promise.
- You can also see that God keeps caring for people without ceasing even in their mistakes and hardships, and that He brings His plans to fulfillment.
- You can reconsider God’s concern and love for those who are marginalized and weak as they are approached by Him.
Personal Application
- I can also examine whether, even in the process of waiting, I am not pushing my own way in haste.
- I can take to heart how important it is to trust God’s perspective and guidance, even in the difficulties of life.
- By looking out for the marginalized people around me, I can practice a life of sharing God’s love.
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