So everybody’s still waiting for Abram’s son. And Sarai still isn’t having any kids. So she comes up with a plan. And it’s not such a terrible plan, really. “Go, sleep with my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family through her.” Sarai is still planning to build the family. To raise the child. She just needs someone else to get things started.
Abram agreed to what Sarai said.
Well, it might have been a believable plan and all, but some sort of warning should be going off, right? I mean, this is Abram, who’s been living in this land building a reputation based on his trust in God. This is Abram who asks God questions, and gets crazy vision answers. Maybe he should take a time-out and ask: “Hey God, should I go commit adultery to get this son that you promised?” That seems like a question that might get a response. But instead, when his wife comes up and says “Go, sleep with my maidservant.” He just goes with: “Ok.”
Of course, when you add a pregnant woman to anything, nothing goes according to plan. So then Sarai blames Abram, and Abram backs way off and lets her do whatever she wants. Which turns out to be: abusing the pregnant woman. Hagar, not appreciating this treatment, decides to hit the road. She runs into an angel, who says “Go back to your mistress and submit to her.” However, the angel also comforts her, and points out that “the LORD has heard of your misery.” You’re not alone. It’s going to be ok. God knows who you are, and what you’re going though. He’s watching you, and he cares about you.
So Hagar goes back, and Abram gets a son. Ishmael.
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