The Gospel According to Moses - Genesis Lesson 34 - Gen. 16:1-16

According to the "Inter Varsity Press Bible Commentary: the Old Testament," we read ...

Gen_16:1-4. maidservants. Slave women or bondswomen were considered both property and legal extensions of their mistress. As a result it would be possible for Sarai to have Hagar perform a variety of household tasks as well as to use her as a surrogate for her own barren womb.
Gen_16:2. contractual arrangements for barrenness. Concubines did not have the full status of wives but were girls who came to the marriage with no dowry and whose role included childbearing. As a result concubinage would not be viewed as polygamy. In Israel, as in most of the ancient world, monogamy was generally practiced. Polygamy was not contrary to the law or contemporary moral standards but was usually not economically feasible. The main reason for polygamy would be that the first wife was barren. In the Bible most cases of polygamy among commoners occur prior to the period of the monarchy.

So is it possible in this amazing account that Sarai (her name hasn't been changed yet by the Lord to Sarah) may have learned from Avram (his name too has not been changed to Abraham) that God promised them a son.  Remember, the Bible says that only Avram had "heard" God tell him he'd have a son.  The Bible is silent regarding Sarai at this time.  Consider ...

After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great." Abram said, "O Lord GOD, what will You give me, since I am childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?" And Abram said, "Since You have given no offspring to me, one born in my house is my heir." Then behold, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, "This man will not be your heir; but one who will come forth from your own body, he shall be your heir." (Gen 15:1-4 NASB)

It just doesn't seem probable that Avram could hold this news in and keep it from Sarai.  It can't be proven but it does not seem possible that a husband would keep this amazing promise of God from his wife.  So, Sarai is possibly taking matters in her own hands and using an accepted practice in the ancient Near East.  She and Avram can have a son and this would be through Sarai's Egyptian maid servant, Hagar.  Thus, this well known Bible "story" - I'd rather call it a Bible happening or event and not a story which implies it might be a work of fiction - is based upon real practices in the ancient Near East.  Once again as we put the Bible into its historical context, the veracity of this event is totally supported.  

Hagar runs away after being treated harshly by Sarai.  Is this due to the fact that Avram was taken in with Hagar and the physical union they shared?  We don't know.  But, Hagar runs away and this pagan woman is the first person in the Torah to meet, talk to, and see the Angel of the Lord!  In lesson 32 in this series I discussed the Angel of the Lord in detail.  Rabbis teach it was an angel but the Torah is clear.  God inspired Moses to write ...

Then she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, "You are a God who sees"; for she said, "Have I even remained alive here after seeing Him?" Therefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.  (Gen 16:13-14 NASB)

There is more we need to consider in this remarkable event in Hagar's life.  Once again we will see how this may connect to Jesus' life and a certain woman He met by a source of water.  On top of that this event may also be a powerful lesson for the Hebrews who came out of Egypt and were the first ones to hear this event in Torah.  How might have this affected them in that God "saved" this pagan Egyptian woman and her son?  God even told Hagar to name her son, ִישׁמעאל Ishmael, which means "God will hear."  Is it possible God is reaffirming the verse we know so well, "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son ... " in John 3:16?

I mentioned in this podcast that I would again provide the link to a powerful article.  This article demonstrates clearly that the rabbis of Judaism are wrong to conclude that the Angel of the Lord is only an angel.  Here's the link - click here for the article

Who is this guy, Rev. Ferret?  What's his background?  Why should we take time to listen to him?  Here's a link to check out his background - click here