“The Road to Destiny” (Conclusion)

K. Adrian Scott

March 1, 2026

Introduction.

In Genesis, chapter eleven, v. 30 it says in a biographical note says, “And Sarai was barren; she had no child.”

Context.

Abram’s journey with God is recorded in Genesis 12.1-3 where Yahweh gives Abram instructions - “Go out from your land and from your relatives, and from the house of your father to the land that I will show you. And I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and I will make your name great…”

Verse 4 reads, “And Abram went out as Yahweh had told him. Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he went out from Haran.”

V. 10; “And there was a famine in the land. And Abram went down to Egypt to dwell as an alien there, for the famine was severe in the land.”

Abram was afraid when the Egyptians saw his wife, Sarai they would want Sarai as one of the Pharaoh’s wives. So, when the Egyptians saw Sarai, they indeed took her to be one of the Pharaoh’s wives. Abram scheme to tell the Egyptians Sarai was his sister, didn’t work and they took Sarai God’s response was to send a plague upon the Egyptians. Pharaoh called Abram and asked him, “What is this you have done to me? Why didn't you tell me that she was your wife? Why did you say, ‘she is my sister, so I took her to myself as a wife. Now then, here is your wife. Take her and go. And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him and then sent him and his wife and all that was with him away” (Genesis 12. 17-19).

Chapter 13.1-2; “Then Abram went up from (left) Egypt, he and his wife, and all that was with him to the Negev. Now Abram was very wealthy in livestock, in silver, and in gold.”

Abram and Lot left Egypt wealthy, and they had so many possessions the land they had accommodate all their livestock, so their herdsmen were arguing with one another. So, Abram suggested he and Lot look around and choose what portion of the territory they wanted. Lot chose “the cities of the plains of Jordan and he pitched his tent toward Sodom” (v. 12), and Abram settled in the land of Canaan” (v. 12”).

In chapter 14 Abram must rescue Lot who got himself mixed up in the terribly culture of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot’s wife wasn’t cooperative with the instructions the Lord sent them about these cities, and she paid a heavy price for looking back, most likely out of desire for the vile culture she just couldn’t leave, so she was frozen into a statue of salt. Looking fondly at sin isn’t a good idea in the eyes of God. t's a shamefully embarrassing thing for people to see you at your worst all the time, for all time! Also, in chapter 14 Abram meets a mysterious man by the name of Melchizedek of whom the Scriptures say was King of Salem (Peace) and a Priest of the Most High God who prays a prayer of blessing upon Abram’s life - “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Maker of heaven and earth. And blessed by God Most High who delivered your enemies into your hand” (vv. 19-20).

In chapter fifteen Yahweh appears to Abram in a vision, makes promises to Abram, and Yahweh repeats the Covenant made with him in Chapter 12.

Chapter 16.

The Text finds us invading the privacy of the patriarch Abram and his wife, Sarai –

16.1a; “Now Sarai, the wife of Abram, had borne him no children.”

This couple has been through a lot together as most couples can attest. When Yahweh, the God of Israel spoke to Abram and told Abram “Go out from your land and from your relatives, and from the house of your father to the land that I will show you” that command had implications for Abram’s marriage.

They went through the famine in the land of Canaan, they had to temporarily relocate to Egypt until after the famine in Canaan was over.

In Egypt that Sarai was separated from her husband, Abram, and taken as the Pharaoh’s wife! Sarai indeed must have been a most beautiful woman because the dowry Pharaoh paid was significant enough that it made Abram a rich man! However, property for Sarai was not a trade Abram would make if he could make the decision. Abram wanted Sarai, the woman to whom God promised to be the mother of a multitude of nations and the love of his life. This must have been a terribly traumatic and frightening time for Sarai and her husband, Abram.

And at the same time, Sarai was enduring the personal shame of dealing with being barren; she could not have children. You see, in those days women who could not conceive were shamed, ostracized, and had their self-worth within society diminished. The world at that time placed a much higher value on children than we are experiencing in today’s culture where conceived children are often seen as an inconvenience rather than a “blessing from the Lord.” From the very beginning, Yahweh instructed Adam and Eve to “be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1.28). And according to God’s Covenant with Abram recorded in Genesis 12.2, “And I will make of you a great nation…” How would that even be possible if Sarai cannot conceive?

This is a difficult and painful time for Sarai, when the levels of her stress and anxiety must have been off the charts, and no doubt not only affected her physically, but perhaps also emotionally as well.

V 2; “And Sari said to Abram, ‘Look, please Yahweh has prevented me from bearing children. Please go in to my servant; perhaps I will have children by her.”

Sarai’s perceived value as a woman in this ancient culture must have been at an all-time low and Hagar already conveniently being in the house may have meant to Sarai that this is God’s will. But let me say that convenience alone is no guarantee of God’s will!

v. 2b-3; “And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. Then Sarai, the wife of Abram, took Hagar, her Egyptian female slave, after Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to Abram her husband as his wife.”

While Abram listened to the voice of his wife, he also should have wanted to hear the voice of God in this manner even more. Also, if Hagar was an attractive woman, Abram may not have wanted to hear from God thinking the Lord might say, ‘Sarai’s idea is a bad idea!’

Hagar was a marginalized North African slave woman from Egypt. It was determined by her employer/owners, Sarai and Abram, that she would "marry” Abram (16.3). Hagar, as a slave, and apparently, she had no say-so in that decision. This was the life chosen for Hagar; being seen and treated as someone else’s property. Apparently, no one asked her what she thought or how she felt about the proposed arrangement.

v. 4; He slept with Hagar, and she became pregnant.”

Hagar came into a home as a servant to Sarai, and at Sarai’s suggestion she and Abram came together, and a child was conceived.

Oh, they sun rose and set on young Ishmael. Hagar loved his smile, she laughed when he frowned or fussed, and when he cried Hagar was quick to give him what he needed. She and Abram and Sarai, all watched him grow, say his first words, and watched with excitement when he took his first steps and walked! It's hard to believe this growing boy was not so long ago carried in her stomach. What a miracle he was, and Hagar was so thankful to be blessed to be a mother and a wife, a spouse, a companion to a special man named Abram.

Abram was different, Hagar said. he was not like the other men of his generation; Abram loved Yahweh/God. Hagar noticed that he was a praying man, one who was full of faith, and he trusted his God. She was always fascinated when he would tell her his stories about how God spoke to him and told Abram to leave his home, his whole family except his wife, his father and nephew, Lot. Then he would talk about his travels and how he didn’t even have a map, and with no plans he and his wife and father and nephew and a few servants, they left the Ur of the Chaldees. She marveled at his faith and Sarah’s cooperative obedience to travel with only the invisible God leading them. Abram had traveled not knowing where he was going. Hagar may have thought to herself, ‘I don’t know if I could have done that!’

Eventually things changed because God blessed Sarah to get pregnant. The boys didn’t always get along and that caused some stress in our home., she would say. I really felt bad for Abram because both Ishmael and now Isaac were his sons, and he couldn’t show any partiality, so he was just quiet when Sarah would complain about Ishmael and how she said he was treating his younger brother, Isaac. Things escalated as the boys were a little older, and they also became more competitive, you know, like they were trying to win their father’s approval. Things had begun to get more tense between Sarah and I and I began to resent the way she talked to Ishmael, and then one day things came to a head, and it was bad; so bad, that just as cold as ice Sarah told me and Ishmael to get out. ‘Take your stuff and leave!’ ‘Leave’, I asked? ‘And go where?’

Hagar's Expulsion.

v. 6; “Then Sarai dealt harshly with her, and she fled from her. “

Hagar was humiliated and would soon be desperate because she had no one to rely on for her daily needs of food, and what would she do about shelter and the things she had previously before she was unceremoniously evicted. This strong African woman who had left her home in Egypt and although she mistrusted and developed a strong dislike for her mistress Sarai, Hagar trusted and believed in Abram. And with no family support or community status; with no legal recourse and who was forced to walk away from whatever financial support Abram gave her, Hagar and Ishmael walked into the crisp air with only the food in their stomachs. Of course, Hagar would develop great disdain for Sarai who persuaded her husband Abram it was okay to have a physical relationship with Hagar as if she was disposable property just so Sarai could satisfy her desire for a child, fully knowing that child once conceived and born would NOT be the child of God’s previous promise!

Did Hagar feel used or taken advantage of? There is a good chance she did. Hagar must have thought, ‘this is my home and my son’s home too! I looked at my husband Abram for support and comfort, but he just stood there like he didn’t know what to say or do! Unfortunately, my husband was of no support or comfort. Where would I turn in this crisis? If he sided with me, Sarah would be even more upset, and if he sided with Sarah, he was probably thinking I was going to be upset as well. It was bad. Where was I going to go? This was my house also, and it's not right that we were forced to leave.’

Oh, Hagar must have had a frightening thought: ‘I just paid a very high price for cooperating with Sarai’s plan! Sarah got her son, and I got kicked out of the house!

This is not fair!

*Church, even when you cooperate; even when you play by the rules, there is no guarantee that things will go well for you.

Abram is torn apart inside as he thinks about the gorgeous African woman that was forced out of his home and his life he believes. And Ishmael, he is a part of my seed and my legacy, and he is walking out the door! Abram’s world was coming apart from the seams. It seemed like yesterday He thought when Hagar came to their home as a servant/maid but as time went on it was Sarai who couldn’t get pregnant and suggested Hagar become her surrogate. At first it seemed almost mechanical, but as time went on, He realizes he cares about Hagar; as a matter of fact, Abraham loves her and not only do their bodies come together as she tries to get pregnant for Sarah’s sake, but there is most likely now an emotional bond between Hagar and Abram. The day Hagar and Ishmael left all Abram could do was think - ‘Is there something I could have done?’ Then from time to time, he may have also thought to himself, ‘I wonder where they are now?’ ‘Have they made it to? Did they stop and rest in?’

In the meantime, Hagar is confused because she doesn’t understand how this God, she has heard Abraham talk about so much, how could God allow her and her son be put out of their home, the only home Ishmael has ever known. Where is this God of Abraham and Sarah? What good is God if He is not here when we need Him!

Hagar would end up doing the very same thing her now estranged husband Abraham did some years ago; and it is this, At God’s instruction Abraham left his home in northern Iran and where was he going? He didn’t know because God had not told him. He would later be known as "the father of the faithful" and now Hagar is having to leave her home and where would she go? She didn’t know either. Not only was Sarah, Issac watching Hagar leave, but Abram was also watching the woman he loved leave also. But someone else was also watching this drama unfold; it was God who was also watching her pick up what belongings had, mount her camel or donkey and start down that road called "somewhere" on her way to "nowhere."

Then, in Hagar’s lowest moment, when her legs became heavy, when her feet ached; when her stomach growled and her head hurt from stress. Perhaps it was when she couldn’t hold back the tears any longer, when she couldn’t pretend to be brave anymore and the fear in her eyes was real; when she couldn’t mask the hurt any longer, the betrayal any longer; the God she had accused of being absent like Abram’s emotional absence, Abram’s God, the One she has accused of abandoning her, that God, He spoke to Hagar! When she heard the voice of God what would she say? Did she say, ‘Oh my, He knows where we are Ishmael! And so, He must also know we have nothing, not even a roof over our heads!’ O, may I tell you, He knows!

And when the soothing voice of God fell on her ears and when the Lord told her His plans for her life and Ishmael’s life, Hagar realized something - God’s plans are not Sarah’s plans, or Abram’s plans, or even my plans. God has a different plan for my life. Sarah “may have meant it for evil, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50.20)!

In her excitement Hagar may have grabbed Ishmael and said, ‘don’t worry son, God has a plan!’ When Sarah put us out, God was looking, and it looks like God is going to take us in! I may have only been a surrogate in Abraham’s house, but the Lord has shown me I am also child of the King! And I have a seat at His table!’

‘Son, don’t you ever forget this day, that when your mother had nothing because we had lost everything, God took us in!’

The Proposition.

May I say, Hagar may have been kicked out of Sarai’s house, but she landed in her destiny! Spiritually speaking ‘destiny’ is God’s will! Sarai may have refused to see me, but God saw me! Sometimes we have to be kicked out to get where we are supposed to be!

Church, I want you to know Your struggles are not your whole story!

The Close.

If things are low, God can lift you up!

f things are sideways; God can straighten things out!

If things are backwards, God can turn it around!

If your situation is turned upside down, the Lord can turn it right-side up!

What I am trying to tell you is this; the Lord can turn it! Like the guests at the wedding party, Jesus can turn it for you!!

We have sixty-six books, and sacred letters called the Holy Bible filled with examples where God lifted the lowly; Straightened out the crooked; turned the backwards around and the upside down right-side up!

I am certain if you are like me there are times when we are tempted to doubt if God is going to do what God’s Word says.

Or is God asking us to trust Him for a need in your life? Or are you struggling with the question: ‘Can I trust God?’ ‘Can you worship God, like Hagar did, even in the pain of struggle? Because this is what faith is; faith is trusting God.

Are you painfully yet faithfully trusting God for God’s promises in your life?

Do you feel stranded, by your circumstances?

Friends, you are not alone in your circumstances!

Whatever circumstances you are in; whatever difficulty you are facing or will face, just realize the storm is only temporary; the difficulty of the journey is not your final stop because it is not your ultimate destiny. Why? Because as Hagar, this Egyptian woman who was not a naturalized Israelite gave God a name - “Beer Lahai Roi” “You are the God who sees me” (v. 13). God sees me! This God sees your pain, knows your trouble, and God is familiar with your complicated circumstances because He is a God who sees and a God who will respond in due time!

I know some of you feel like you’re starting over. But in walking out the door and leaving her home; walking past the toys in the yard that brought back memories of a better time, little did she know she would be a woman of faith and the mother of a nation herself. The Close.

God is using the ingredient of trouble to make you triumphant! God is going to use the bricks of your struggles to pave the way for victory!

At the right time God will reveal His ultimate plan; the ‘grand finale’ for your life; your true destiny.

One day, your tears will be turned into joy, and your mourning will be turned into dancing, why? Because “God causes all things to work together for the good to them who love the Lord and those called according to His purpose.” Perhaps today you can say, or perhaps another day you will hear God say, ‘this is your re-purposed life.’ Say it with me – ‘God is working out His purpose in my life!’

If I had known this, that me, lowly Hagar, would become the mother of nations! I surely would never have complained. I could have and should have trusted God all along!!

Hagar, Welcome to your destiny! There is a song that says, and I want you to repeat it after me - “what I went through is history. And victory is my destiny!” But let me say, your destiny is your future.

Sarah’s estimate of Hagar’s worth didn’t matter to God.

Even you may think your life is over, but God has more for you to accomplish!

And although Sarah couldn’t see Hagar’s future destiny, God saw her and God knew it!!