Sarah – Part two

In I Peter 3.6 Sarah is cited as having an exemplary attitude toward Abraham, her husband. In her heart, she regarded him as her “lord” (I Pet. 3:6, citing Gen. 18:12, “Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?”). Yet Sarah had a very powerful influence in the household.

Panic leads to trouble

Although advanced in years, Sarah remained childless. Finally, she concluded she would never have a child in spite of God’s promise of a seed to Abraham. Seeking her own solution to the problem, she persuaded Abraham to have a child through Hagar, Sarah’s maid.

“And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing; I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her” (Gen. 16:2).

In her anxiety to have a child, Sarah was only focusing on her own inability; she was forgetting the power of God in all things. Even though Abraham was stronger in his faith (“he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith giving glory to God”), yet he succumbed to Sarah’s plan. Sarah’s idea was no doubt discussed over a period of time, with her becoming at times quite frantic as she was driven by her desperation. In losing sight of the power of God, who had been protecting and blessing them, Sarah began steering her household into a path which resulted in much domestic trouble.

We again draw attention to our focus: notice where Sarah’s focus was at this time. It was certainly not on God’s promise or His power. In this state of mind, she wielded her influence.

Disruption quickly follows

Sarah must have had considerable confidence in Hagar to select her for so important and intimate a role. Yet the order and harmony of the household were quickly disrupted by Hagar’s attitude.

“And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes” (Gen. 16:4).

Realizing she was able to achieve what her mistress could not, and in the intimacy and attention she probably then had with Abraham in bearing his first son, she began regarding Sarah with contempt. Her intolerable behavior may have indicated she probably felt she had a good chance of succeeding her mistress. “For three things the earth is disquieted…an handmaid that is heir to her mistress” (Prov. 30:21-­23).

Poor Sarah! Along with bearing the reproach and frustration of being childless, she was now disdained by Hagar and no doubt humiliated before some of the other servants. She could not share Abraham’s joy and excitement at the prospect ahead and she likely resented his attentive concern for Hagar. All of her plans had backfired.

Sarah’s mistake

In taking matters into her own hands, Sarah started by misjudging the character of Hagar. She placed Hagar in a position the Egyptian maidservant was too carnal to handle. Perhaps Sarah had been confiding her distress to Hagar and the servant suggested a way of solving Sarah’s problem. Whatever the case, Hagar’s disposition was such that she could not handle her new status.

At this point, Sarah was forced to acknowledge her mistake. Yet, probably because Abraham’s attitude was adding to her anguish, she put part of the blame on him.

“And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee” (Gen. 16:5).

Life must have been difficult for Abraham and Sarah during these days. Abraham was thrown into a troubled situation primarily because of Sarah’s obsession and sole focus on having a child.

Sarah given power over Hagar

In the midst of this explosive situation, Abraham gave Sarah a free hand with Hagar. This must have caused him great pain, however, for the child was his. Furthermore, he had a great affection for all his household, trying to bring them all along as believers in the one true God. It would have given Abraham great anguish to see Hagar so afraid of Sarah that she finally ran away, in spite of her delicate condition.

“But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face” (Gen. 16:6).

God rescues the situation

As often happens when we deviate from faith in God, disastrous situations develop. Abraham seemed to have lost the only child he had so far conceived. Hagar had no place to go and no means of sustenance. Sarah’s chances, as she saw it, of ever cradling a baby were now dashed. But note that it was the mistress of the house who had started the course of events by shifting her focus away from the power and integrity of God to keep His promises.

So often in such circumstances, God rescues the situation and He does so here.

“And the angel of the LORD said unto her [Hagar], Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands…I will multiply thy seed exceedingly…” (Gen. 16:9-10).

We are sympathetic with Sarah and Hagar and so was God; hence, He intervened. No matter how desperate our situation may be, God is right there with us.

Sarah learns, Hagar does not

Sarah got back on the right track. Isaac, her own son born directly as a result of God’s promise, was very close to her. His character, which ended up being listed with the faithful of all ages, shows the influence she had over him. Sarah had been strengthened in the faith of Abraham and was able to pass on her trust and hope in God to her son.

Unlike Sarah, Hagar did not learn the lesson of trust in God. She passed on her fleshly attitudes to her son Ishmael who was found mocking Isaac, the child of the promise.

As we review these Bible incidents, we are again reminded how wives and mothers should constantly consider the influence they have over their families because it is crucial to the eternal future of all involved.