sf944 - The God Who Sees (Genesis 16 1-16)

Genesis 16:1-16

Introduction

The setting is Abram’s home, the first biblical instance of domestic strife

We see three main characters:

Ø Abram, the father of faith?

Ø Sarai, the model wife?

Ø Hagar, the Egyptian slave girl

We see what happens when we take it upon ourselves to accomplish God’s will our way.

Abram and Sarai demonstrate what happens when God’s people become impatient with God.

The text also shows that even the greatest people of faith can succumb to the power of their flesh.

The results of their sin are still with us in the conflict in the Middle East.

1A. The Test of the Silence of God (16:1-6)

1B. Abram’s double mind (16:1-4)

James 1:8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

The problem (16:1)

Ø A lack of fruit

Ø A lingering frustration

The proposal (16:2-3)

Ø An act of the flesh!

“It is the policy of Satan to tempt us by our nearest and dearest relations, or those friends that we have an opinion of and an affection for. The temptation is most dangerous when it is sent by a hand that is least suspected: it is our wisdom therefore to consider, not so much who speaks as what is spoken.” Matthew Henry

Ø “Children” – in Hebrew sounds like the word for “to build up.”

Ø An abandoning of morals and responsibility.

The price (16:4)

Ø An absence of peace

2B. Sarai’s deceitful heart (16:5-6)

Her tongue (16:5)

James 1:26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless.

James 3:5-6 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.

Ø She blames Abram for her sin.

Ø He was at fault he had surrendered his role as the head of his home.

Her temper (16:6)

Ø When we get upset what is inside us comes out.

Matthew 15:18-19 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. 19For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.

3B. Hagar’s defiant will (16:7)

Hagar fled

Each one did what came naturally: Abram married Hagar, Sarai resented Hagar, and Hagar ran from her problems.

Abram and Sarai failed

Abram and Sarai forfeited an opportunity to witness to Hagar, rather they abused her.

2A. The Truth of the Sovereignty of God (16:7-16)

1B. The revelation to Hagar (16:7-12)

The coming of the omnipresent One, a revelation of God’s grace (16:7-8)

Ø This is the first appearance of the pre-incarnate Christ; He came not to the patriarch or his wife but to a run away slave!

Ø He called her by name!

The command of the omnipotent One, a revelation of God’s government (16:9)

Ø God’s grace is always accompanied by His just demands.

Luke 13:3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.

Ø She not only had to believe God she had to obey God.

James 2:20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?

The comfort of the omniscient One, a revelation of God’s goodness (16:10-12)

Ø God promises to Hagar (16:10-11)

Ishmael means “God shall hear”

Ø God prophecy concerning Ishmael (16:12)

2B. The response by Hagar (16:13-16)

The verbal expression of her faith (16:13-14)

Ø Her name for the Lord – You Are the God Who Sees

Ø Her name for the well – The well of Him who lives and sees me

The practical expression of her faith (16:15-16)

Ø Her repentance expressed, she returned

Ø Her faith expressed, she named him Ishmael