Day 17: Genesis 16-18

Abram and Sarai are now close to 100 years old (Sarai is at least 75), and they still haven’t yet had a son as God promised. She decided to do what many of us do when God doesn’t seem to be moving fast enough: she took matters into her own hands. She attempted to manufacture the promise herself. We know how things can turn out when we overstep, bypass God, and try to make things happen ourselves: trouble.

As tempting as it is to try to help God or rush Him along in our timeline, let’s remember to surrender and trust Him. His ways and thoughts are higher than ours, and His timing is perfect.

Sarai is tired of waiting on God, and she is feeling the pressure of societal and cultural norms. She decided to try to help God out. It was the custom of that day for a servant to act as a surrogate when the wife of the household couldn’t conceive (Tony Evans Commentary). Because of this, Sarai makes her servant Hagar be intimate with her husband. Abram allowed his wife to overrule the will of God- just as Adam did in the garden. 

She reasoned that at least the child would still belong to her. This logic was led by fear and impatience. Being led by fear and impatience caused pain and division in her household as well as division among nations for centuries to come. Sarai’s sin impacted more than just herself.

Sarai becomes abusive toward Hagar, so Hagar runs away into the wilderness. She was pregnant and completely alone. In the wilderness, the angel of the LORD appears to her. She gives Him the name El Roi- The God who sees me. What a sweet reminder that God sees us. Even at our lowest. He sees us, and He is with us.

 In the Bible Recap, this is explained as possibly being the preincarnate Jesus- God the Son appearing on earth as a man before He was born as a human named Jesus. Tara Leigh Cobble explains that this is evidenced by His promise to multiply Hagar’s offspring (angels don’t have this kind of power). When God shows up on earth in physical form (as He did yesterday and throughout Scripture), this is called a theophany. In today’s passage, it is the preincarnate Jesus, making this a Christophany.

Theophany-broad (any appearance of God)

Christophany-narrow (specifically, Jesus before the Incarnation)

It is also noted in today’s Bible Recap reading that angels are often incorrectly depicted. They don’t have wings. They are described in Scripture as large and imposing human males who may be related to Nephilim giants. Their giant size may be why people are often afraid when they appear out of thin air. There are spiritual beings with wings, but they are not angels. This makes me think of the beings described in Revelation. Think cherubim and seraphim. They have 4-6 wings covered with eyeballs.

Okay, back to Abram. His name is changed to Abraham, and God commands him and all his male offspring to be circumcised. God also changes Sarai’s name to Sarah and promises to bless her, despite her sin in her whole fiasco with Hagar. Talk about a merciful and patient God! God makes it clear that Sarah will be the mother of the child He blesses them with. Abraham and Sarah laugh about this. Abraham fell on his face and laughed.

Later, God and two angels appear to Abraham. God tells Abraham that He plans to destroy the place where Lot lives, and Abraham begs God not to. We’ll see what happens next tomorrow!

This is a grace-filled space—come as you are. If you’d like, comment below to share what stood out to you; your words may bless another sister. You can also connect with us in our GroupMe Bible Study chat (link in your email).

Resources Used:

ESV Single Column Journaling Bible (Original, Black): Holy Bible, English Standard Version

The Tony Evans Bible Commentary: Advancing God's Kingdom Agenda

The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide to Reading and Understanding the Entire Bible

Bible Hub: https://biblehub.com/

Crayola Silly Scents Twistables Colored Pencils, 12 count

BIC Xtra Strong Mechanical Pencils with Erasers, Thick Point (0.9mm), 24-Count

Mr. Pen- Sticky Index Tabs, 480 Pcs, Colorful Sticky Tabs for Notebooks

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Note: I'm sharing my personal study notes, which means they may contain doctrinal or technical errors. Extend grace as we learn together, and be sure to study the Word for yourself.

By: LaRissa J

toddlermomdiaries.com