In this short passage, several character issues have arisen as we learn more about Abram and Sarai. Abram is weak as a family leader. Rather than trust God would have a remedy for his lack of heirs, he allowed Sarai to convince him that this was a viable way. The child that would come from him would be a special child and must come through the proper channels in order to funnel the nation of Israel and the Messiah. Additionally, Abram did not take the job of pleasing and protecting his wife seriously since Hagar was cruel to Sarai and gave her the responsiblity of handling it. Sarai, also didn't trust God. I don't think that she had the same relationship with God since the Bible is silent as to any prior dealing that God might have had with her. She was a vengeful woman who once was unleashed became a living hell for Hagar. Sarai missed the boat when she thought that sex was the sole answer to a happy marriage since she blamed Abram for not being appreciative for her intents. Hagar was also a character in her own right with flaws given her ambitions and her malice towards Sarah.
Looks like the start of a either a sitcom or a precursor to the show Divorce Court. I think that total lack of understanding on the part of Abram of God's plan and his inability to ask starts this cascading snowball down the mountain. Still things and people have not changed even as we are versed in what happened thousands of years ago.
Today and tomorrow will be a horror show at work as quarter-end is approaching. I think the lesson learned and applied will be that it is out of my control and God is never going to give me more than I can handle.
Praise for today: But you are a shield around me, O Lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. Ps 3:3
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