Tag: Hagar

Day 10: Genesis 16-17

“And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai” (Genesis 16:2)

Here we have a situation much like the one in the garden leaving off the presence of the serpent as the tempter. Sarai is misled by her own reasoning. Most likely, Abram shared all that God had shown him in Genesis 15, and Sarai, acknowledging her barren state and attributing it rightly to God’s will, determines to bring about God’s promise through her maid, Hagar. Abram accepts Sarai’s suggestion without first consulting God. Matthew Henry observed:

“Abram’s compliance with Sarai’s proposal, we have reason to think, was from an earnest desire of the promised seed, on whom the covenant should be entailed. God had told him that his heir should be a son of his body, but had not yet told him that it should be a son by Sarai; therefore he thought, “Why not Hagar, since Sarai herself proposed it?” Note, (1.) Foul temptations may have very fair pretenses, and be coloured with that which is very plausible. (2.) Fleshly wisdom, as it anticipates God’s time of mercy, so it puts us out of God’s way. (3.) This would be happily prevented if we would ask of God by the word and by prayer, before we attempt that which is important and suspicious. Herein Abram was wanting; he married without God’s consent. This persuasion came not of Him that called him” (86).

Henry’s comment is spot on. It is a reminder to seek God’s answers in His Word and through prayer to Him. While answers do come through other Christians that God uses, their suggestions should always align with His Word.

Father God, help me to seek You first and not be swayed by suggestions of those around me. Help me to be in your Word. Make Your will known to me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Henry, Matthew. “Volume 1: Genesis.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

© 2025 Angela Hormberg