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AM Bethany : THE PROBLEM OF BEING UNABLE TO BEAR CHILDREN

30 March 2019

AM BETHANY 30 March 2019
Text: Genesis 16:1-6

THE PROBLEM OF BEING UNABLE TO BEAR CHILDREN

1. This was Sarai’s problem (Genesis 16:1)

2. Human reasoning alone

a) She had an Egyptian maid called Hagar (Genesis 16:2)
b) Note the use of the LORD’s name
“The LORD has restrained me from bearing children” (Genesis 16:2)
i) This does not mean she was correct in her reasoning
ii) She could not fully fathom why she was barren
iii) She did not exercise sufficient faith
c) Suggestion to Abram
i) To have Hagar bear children on her behalf
ii) Legally, the offspring would be Sarai’s
d) Slaves in the ancient days
i) They have no rights at all
ii) They sometimes bore children for their master
iii) This was not an uncommon practice

3. Abram

a) He agreed to this suggestion (Genesis 16:2)
b) Hagar became the second wife of Abram (Genesis 16:3)

DWELLING IN CANAAN

1. Abram had already dwelt 10 years in Canaan (Genesis 16:3)

2. He had left Haran at 75 years of age (Genesis 12:4)

3. He was now 85 years old

COMPLICATIONS AROSE

1. Hagar conceived (Genesis 16:4)

2. She despised Sarai (Genesis 16:4)

3. Sarai felt this severely

AN ANGRY RESPONSE

1. Sarai recognized how wrong she had been (Genesis 16:5)

a) In giving Hagar to be the second wife of Abram
b) She complained about being despised by Hagar

2. She used the LORD’s name again (Genesis 16:5)
“The LORD judge between you and me”

a) Between Sarai and Abram
b) There was an obvious rift

ABRAM’S RESPONSE

1. She referred to Hagar as “her maid” (Genesis 16:6)

2. Rather than as his “wife”

3. Sarai was allowed to deal with Hagar as she pleased, as the mistress of the home

4. This response:

a) Weak
b) Uncalled-for

SARAI’S RESPONSE

1. Sarai dealt harshly with Hagar (Genesis 16:6)

2. Hagar could not cope with the harshness

3. She fled from the home!