Genesis 16:3

So after he had lived in Canaan for ten years, his wife Sarai took her Egyptian maidservant Hagar and gave her to Abram to be his wife.

Study Bible

So after he had lived in Canaan for ten years
This phrase indicates a significant period since Abram's arrival in Canaan, highlighting the duration of waiting for God's promise of offspring. The ten-year period underscores the patience and faith required of Abram and Sarai, as they had been promised descendants as numerous as the stars (Genesis 15:5). This waiting period tests their faith and sets the stage for the subsequent actions taken by Sarai. The number ten often symbolizes completeness or a full measure in biblical numerology, suggesting that this was a complete period of testing.

his wife Sarai took her Egyptian maidservant Hagar
Sarai's action of taking Hagar reflects the customs and legal practices of the ancient Near East, where a barren wife could give her maidservant to her husband to bear children on her behalf. Hagar, being Egyptian, may have been acquired during Abram and Sarai's earlier sojourn in Egypt (Genesis 12:10-20). This cultural practice, while accepted at the time, demonstrates a human attempt to fulfill divine promises through human means, contrasting with the faith-based approach God desires.

and gave her to Abram to be his wife
By giving Hagar to Abram as a wife, Sarai is attempting to secure the promised offspring through culturally acceptable means. This act introduces polygamy into Abram's family, which often leads to strife and complications, as seen in other biblical narratives (e.g., Jacob with Leah and Rachel). The decision reflects a lack of trust in God's timing and plan, leading to future conflict between Sarai and Hagar. This situation foreshadows the tension between the descendants of Ishmael (Hagar's son) and Isaac (Sarai's son), which is a recurring theme in biblical history.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Abram
Later known as Abraham, he is a central figure in the Bible, known for his faith and obedience to God. At this point, he is living in Canaan, the land promised to him by God.

2. Sarai
Abram's wife, later known as Sarah. She is struggling with infertility and takes matters into her own hands by giving her maidservant to Abram.

3. Hagar
An Egyptian maidservant of Sarai. She becomes a secondary wife to Abram and the mother of Ishmael.

4. Canaan
The land where Abram and Sarai are residing, which God promised to Abram and his descendants.

5. The Event
Sarai's decision to give Hagar to Abram as a wife, which leads to significant familial and spiritual consequences.

Teaching Points

Trust in God's Timing
Sarai's decision reflects a lack of trust in God's timing. We must learn to wait on God's promises, trusting that His timing is perfect.

Consequences of Impatience
Acting out of impatience can lead to unintended consequences, as seen in the strife between Hagar and Sarai. We should seek God's guidance before making decisions.

Faith vs. Human Effort
The account contrasts faith in God's promises with human efforts to fulfill those promises. True faith requires reliance on God rather than our own understanding.

God's Sovereignty
Despite human errors, God's plan prevails. This reassures us that God can work through our mistakes to fulfill His purposes.

The Role of Women in Scripture
Sarai and Hagar's account highlights the complex roles women play in God's account, encouraging us to consider the dignity and challenges faced by women in biblical times.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Sarai's decision to give Hagar to Abram reflect her understanding of God's promise to Abram? What can we learn from this about our own understanding of God's promises?

2. In what ways do we sometimes try to "help" God fulfill His promises in our lives, and what are the potential consequences of such actions?

3. How does the account of Hagar and Sarai illustrate the tension between faith and works? Can you think of other biblical examples where this tension is evident?

4. Reflect on a time when you had to wait on God's timing. What did you learn from that experience, and how did it impact your faith?

5. How can the account of Hagar and Sarai encourage us to trust in God's sovereignty, even when our circumstances seem to contradict His promises?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Genesis 12:1-3
God's promise to Abram about making him a great nation, which sets the context for Sarai's actions due to her barrenness.

Genesis 21:1-3
The eventual fulfillment of God's promise through the birth of Isaac, showing God's faithfulness despite human impatience.

Galatians 4:22-31
Paul uses the account of Hagar and Sarah to illustrate the difference between living under the law and living by the promise.