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¹ Now Sarai Abram’s wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.
² 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. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.
³ And Sarai Abram’s wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.
⁴ And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.
⁵ 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.
⁶ 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.
⁷ And the angel of the Lord found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.
⁸ And he said, Hagar, Sarai’s maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.
⁹ And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.
¹⁰ And the angel of the Lord said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.
¹¹ And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the Lord hath heard thy affliction.
¹² And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.
¹³ And she called the name of the Lord that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?
¹⁴ Wherefore the well was called Beerlahairoi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.
¹⁵ And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son’s name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael.
¹⁶ And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.
🌾 When Patience Wavers, Grace Still Finds Us 🌾
“And the angel of the Lord found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.” – Genesis 16:7
Genesis 16 reveals a powerful narrative of impatience, brokenness, and divine compassion. As Abram and Sarai await the fulfillment of God’s promise for a child, Sarai’s weariness leads her to devise a plan involving her Egyptian handmaid, Hagar. Though this human solution brings strife, we are introduced to a deeply personal encounter between Hagar and the angel of the Lord—showing us that even in rejection, God sees and hears.
This chapter offers lessons on trust, humility, and the mercy of God who reaches into the wilderness moments of our lives and calls us by name. It is a reminder that His promises are not delayed but perfectly timed.
📜 Structure of Genesis Chapter 16
Verses 1–3: Sarai’s Plan for a Child
Sarai, unable to bear children, gives her handmaid Hagar to Abram to obtain a child through her. This decision, though culturally acceptable, shows a lack of faith in God’s timing. Abram agrees, and Hagar conceives. The act reflects human attempts to fulfill divine promises through fleshly means, often leading to complications.
Verses 4–6: Contempt and Conflict
Once pregnant, Hagar despises Sarai, leading to strife between the two women. Sarai, feeling betrayed, blames Abram, who allows Sarai to handle Hagar harshly. This broken dynamic leads Hagar to flee. These verses reflect the consequences of stepping outside God’s plan and how bitterness can grow when we lean on our own understanding.
Verses 7–12: God Meets Hagar in the Wilderness
In one of Scripture’s most touching scenes, the angel of the Lord finds Hagar near a spring in the desert. He calls her by name and asks, “Whence camest thou?” and “Whither wilt thou go?”—an invitation to reflection and restoration. He tells her to return and submit, promising that her son, Ishmael, will be a wild man, yet father of a great nation. Here, we meet “El Roi”—the God who sees.
Verses 13–16: Hagar’s Testimony and Ishmael’s Birth
Overwhelmed by the encounter, Hagar gives God a new name: Thou God seest me (El Roi). She names the place Beer-lahai-roi, meaning “the well of Him that liveth and seeth me.” She returns and bears Ishmael to Abram, who is now 86 years old. The chapter ends with a sense of hope, even in imperfection.
💡 Key Themes
✨ God Sees the Forgotten
Though rejected and cast out, Hagar is not invisible to God. This chapter is the first time an angel of the Lord appears directly to someone, and it’s to a pregnant slave girl in distress—a profound statement of God’s care for the lowly.
✨ Waiting on God’s Timing
Sarai’s impatience reminds us how tempting it is to rush God’s plans. Yet His timing, though slow to us, is never wrong. “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage…” (Psalm 27:14).
✨ Grace in the Wilderness
God does not abandon Hagar in her running. He meets her there, speaks to her, and gives her hope. His grace reaches into the driest places of our hearts.
👤 Key People
- Abram – Still maturing in his faith, his decision to go along with Sarai’s plan shows the temptation of human reasoning over divine instruction.
- Sarai – Though struggling with faith, her actions show the deep pain of barrenness and the difficulty of trusting God’s timeline.
- Hagar – A foreign servant girl who encounters the living God, reminding us that He sees all, even those whom the world overlooks.
- The Angel of the Lord – A divine figure who comforts, commands, and promises, showing God’s personal and powerful care.
🔥 Why This Chapter Matters
Genesis 16 is a testimony to God’s mercy in our messes. When our plans fall apart and relationships break, He remains near. Hagar’s story assures us that we are never unseen. Even when others cast us out, God finds us and speaks purpose into our wilderness.
💭 Let’s Reflect
- Have you ever tried to “help” God fulfill a promise? What did that teach you?
- What does Hagar’s encounter with El Roi tell you about God’s heart?
- Where in your life do you need to be reminded that God sees you?
❓Ready to Go Deeper?
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