The Women's Point of View

Scripture – Genesis 16:1-4: Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar; so she said to Abram, “The LORD has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family through her.” Abram agreed to what Sarai said. So after Abram had been living in Canaan ten years, Sarai his wife took her Egyptian maidservant Hagar and gave her to her husband to be his wife. He slept with Hagar, and she conceived. When she knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress.

Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) After God’s covenant was sealed with Abram – including the promise that Abram would indeed father a child himself – Sarai came up with this idea. It must have made sense to Abram. It would certainly be in line with God’s promise. And this was not an uncommon practice in those days. So Hagar became pregnant, and it seemed Abram’s line would continue. But something was going on between Hagar and Sarai. Did it go back to their experience in Egypt? Had Hagar been taken away from her family and friends? All we know for sure is, once Hagar was pregnant, she began to rub it in to Sarai.

Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) Abram seems clueless when it comes to women. In his day women had no rights to speak of. They had little influence. They were often taken for granted and used as men wanted. There’s a story developing between Hagar and Sarai that Abram is missing completely. I find myself out of touch like that many times. I will pay attention to the people around me – to the dynamics of the relationships they are experiencing.

Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Lord, give me an awareness today. Help me see not only what people do, but who they are. That’s how you see me. And in that, you love me. Teach me to be the same.