Genesis 20-21
This story of Abraham and Sarah raises questions that highlight cultural complexities and the evolving understanding of ethics and morality throughout history. They challenge us and make us reflect on our values and understanding of justice, compassion, and the human experience.
Summary
God asks Abraham to wander, so he moves to Gerar. Abraham tells people that his wife Sarah is his sister (again!!). The king of Gerar named Abimelech takes Sarah to be his wife. He later has a dream that she is married, and that he will die. Abimelech prays to God and claims to be innocent. God agrees, stating that He prevented him from sleeping with Sarah by coming to him in a dream. God told Abimelech to give Sarah back to Abraham.
Abimelech confronts Abraham, and they come to an agreement. Abraham gave Abimelech some cattle and servants. Abimelech returned Abraham’s wife with some silver. Abimelech asked Abraham to pray for him, and he told Abraham he could continue to live in his land. God reversed his punishment and allowed the females in Abimelech’s house to have children again.
Sarah had a baby named Isaac. As Isaac and Ishmael got older, Sarah saw Ishmael mocking Isaac during a feast. She became concerned about Ishmael’s influence on and potential inheritance rights over Isaac. Sarah demanded that Abraham send Hagar and Ishmael away. [Remember that Hagar was Sarah’s servant who had a baby for Abraham and Sarah at Sarah’s request.] Abraham was reluctant, but God promised that Ishmael’s descendants will have a great nation. Abraham sent Hagar and Ishmael away. God watched over Ishmael as he lived in the Desert of Paran. Ishmael learned to shoot with a bow very well. Eventually, Hagar found a wife for Ishmael in Egypt.
Sidebar
Well, Abraham does it again! He tries to convince the townspeople of Gerar that Sarah is his sister. I guess he didn’t learn his lesson the first time he tried to pass Sarah off as his sister. And isn’t Sarah about 100 years old now? Was she still that desirable? I assume that 100 years old then doesn’t look like 100 years old today. A lot of what took place in that time is different than today. Adultery and surrogacy looked different as well.
Why was it ok for married men to have relations with servant girls, but Abimelech would have “sinned” for sleeping with a married woman he was dupped into believing was Abraham’s sister? Had Abimelech slept with Sarah, he would have committed adultery, and we know adultery is a sin. Contrarily, the practice of surrogacy, where a servant or handmaid bore children for a barren mistress, was customary and not considered immoral at that time. It was a solution for infertility and was conducted with the consent and arrangement of the wife. Clearly, cultural norms and legal frameworks of that time are very different from modern-day perspectives.
Another disturbing aspect of this story is how Sarah sends Hagar and Ishmael away because Ishmael was making fun of her son Isaac. Children make fun of each other at times, and we should use those moments as opportunities to teach them how to treat others kindly. If Sarah considered Ishmael a son by surrogacy at that time, why would she send her own son away in favor of her biological son?
Sarah’s decision is tough to reconcile, especially when viewed through a modern lens. I understand that these stories come from a vastly different time and culture, with different social norms and pressures. But as a mother, I believe Sarah’s actions are unconscionable. She disregarded and essentially threw away her surrogate son. Sarah may have been heavily influenced by the cultural pressure to ensure her biological son’s inheritance and the divine promise that Isaac would carry on Abraham’s line. But this doesn’t alleviate the emotional impact of her decision on Hagar and Ishmael—I imagine they were both deeply affected by being cast out.
Luckily for Hagar and Ishmael, God made them a promise. He did not abandon Hagar and Ishmael but provided them a good life instead. Ishmael did receive a great nation as God told Abraham.
Intention
I’m choosing to focus on Hagar’s strength, faith, and resilience in facing her difficulties. Despite her suffering, she persevered, and God heard her cries. Even in dire circumstances, there can be hope and divine protection.
When suffering or having anxiety, choose to focus on God’s presence and trust in His plan. Pray, journal, and/or go to church to feel closer to Him.
Reflecting on Sarah’s actions can encourage us to think critically about our own actions and their impact on others. We should consider how we treat others, the ethics of our decisions, and the importance of compassion and justice.
