Hagar, Treated Unjustly but Seen by GodSample

Strained relations

“And he [Abram] went in to Hagar, and she conceived. And when she saw that she had conceived, she looked with contempt on her mistress. […] But Abram said to Sarai, ‘Behold, your servant is in your power; do to her as you please’” (Genesis 16:4-6)

Soon after Abram took Hagar to wife, the desired pregnancy occurred. But it did not bring much happiness as yet. As soon as Hagar realized that she was pregnant, she lost all respect for Sarai. The latter was outraged, and held Abram responsible for the “wrong” done to her. She had given her servant to her husband, and now she was treated with such contempt... It was clear from Abram's reaction that he still regarded Hagar as a slave, not as his wife: “Abram said to Sarai, ‘Behold, your servant is in your power; do to her as you please.’” Then Sarai made life so hard for Hagar that she fled to the desert.

In this situation, there were only losers. Hagar lost her home and security. Sarai no longer had a slave girl. Abram lost his second wife and unborn child.

This story is a telling example of the chaos and trouble people can cause when they put their own interests and plans first without regard for God’s plan and their fellow human beings. Perhaps you know of examples of this as well. Or maybe you are in the middle of it yourself?

How might this history have turned out differently if those involved had consulted God and dealt with each other lovingly?