Good-bye, Hagar
Stories
Seldom-Told Bible Tales
Fifteen Eye-Opening Stories from the Bible
Object:
"Send that Egyptian woman and her boy from my sight," Sarah demanded of her husband, Abraham. The woman, Hagar, a servant in their household, had worked for them about twenty years. Her son, Ishmael, was intelligent, energetic, and loving, like his father, Abraham. It had not been Hagar's intention to bear her master's child, nor was it the original idea of Abraham. The person who planned the union and arranged the time was none other than Sarah herself. But that had been fourteen years ago.
When Abraham and Sarah had been married for a number of years, they became painfully aware of their inability to have children. Sarah often cried over her plight and was frequently upset, especially when other families would visit with their little ones.
Believing their marriage would be forever childless, one day she approached her husband with a suggestion. "We could have a child in our home," she said hesitantly, "if you would consent to have sexual relations with Hagar." Abraham refused to consider the unexpected suggestion and didn't think his wife was serious but merely testing his reaction. A week later she made the same suggestion, and in the meantime had talked to Hagar about the possibility. "I would be glad to have a child," Hagar had told her. But, she admitted blushingly, she had never thought of bearing a child to Abraham. Sarah then convincingly reasoned with Abraham, "Since Hagar is part of our household, it's the closest we can get to our own child." So it was mutually agreed among the three that Abraham and Hagar would sleep together and, if she gave birth to a baby, Sarah would have primary motherly rights to it. Thus on several occasions, Sarah methodically directed her husband to the room of Hagar to spend a portion of the night.
When two months had gone by, Hagar reported to her mistress she was pregnant. Then Sarah solemnly explained to Abraham, "You are to go to her room no more."
Hagar's pregnancy caused Sarah to feel bitter jealousy toward her maid and experienced a deepening sense of her own inferiority. As the months progressed, Hagar was unable to do her normal workload and Sarah angrily accused her of laziness.
Hagar became angry with her mistress as the daily demands became more unreasonable. She finally defied Sarah and retaliated with a haughty attitude. Sarah deeply regretted the childbearing scheme she had organized, although her thoughts were kept secret from Hagar and even Abraham. Two months before the child was due, Sarah physically abused Hagar, causing her to flee to the wilderness in misery and rejection. There God promised her a healthy baby boy, to be named Ishmael, and told her to return home in spite of her mistress.
When the child was finally born and weaned, Sarah felt more at ease with herself and others and loved little Ishmael, holding and rocking him by the hour. More and more she considered him simply as her husband's little boy, something she was unable to do during the time of Hagar's pregnancy. Sarah lavished as much love on Ishmael as did his own mother, and she and Hagar were on friendly terms again.
When Ishmael was thirteen years old, God revealed to Abraham that "every male among you shall be circumcised." It was on the same day that Abraham circumcised his son that he, too, was circumcised at the age of 99. It was also revealed to Abraham that a glorious and unexpected event would take place within a year: Sarah would finally have her own child. She soon became pregnant as predicted and later gave birth to a healthy baby boy, whom she named Isaac. The household and the entire neighborhood rejoiced with the ninety-year-old new mother. As usual, Hagar assisted her -- but several days after Isaac's birth, Sarah abruptly rejected her servant, ordering her to never hold or even so much as touch her son.
Sarah's years of pent-up resentment of Hagar were now vented more each day. She refused to speak to, or even look at Hagar, and her bitter feelings were extended to Ishmael. The climax came on the day of Isaac's weaning, amidst a lawn party with numerous guests. Both Hagar and Ishmael had labored to prepare for the festive event in honor of little Isaac, whom they dearly loved. Sarah was moving among the tables talking to the guests when she noticed Ishmael kneeling at Isaac's crib, talking to him and waving a colorful banner to make him smile. She was very uneasy with him so close to her child, but when she heard Ishmael call him "little brother" she inwardly exploded. Quickly she excused herself and ran into the house shouting for her husband. "Come here at once, Abraham," she urgently called, leading him into the bedroom and banging the door closed. Taken completely by surprise, Abraham could not imagine the urgent problem, as Sarah, flushed and breathless, waved her ferocious finger in his face. "Drive out that slave and her son!" she screamed loudly enough to be heard on the lawn.
"What in the world is the trouble ... why are you so...?"
"Listen," his wife cut him off sharply, "no son of that slave is going to share the inheritance with my son, Isaac."
Abraham had been unaware of the brewing resentment that now had exploded like an overdue geyser. "But this is Hagar's home. And Ishmael -- he is my son. I can't send them away."
Sarah tilted her defiant head at an angle and squinted her almond-shaped eyes, which spoke more plainly than any words ever could. But just in case her husband did not get the message clearly, she added slowly and strongly, "Abe, they both must go ... immediately!"
Hagar and Ishmael heard their sentence of banishment from the lips of Sarah, as had the gathered guests who rapidly began to depart. Abraham was greatly distressed and exited the house through the backdoor into the garden. Alone there, he thought and prayed. God told him to calm his stress and comply with the demands of his wife, since her son was the child of promise, for "it is through Isaac that descendants shall bear your name." Abraham's fatherly instincts protested, expressing his fear for the safety and well-be-ing of Ishmael and his mother. It was then that God expressly promised him, "I will make a great nation of him also, since he, too, is your offspring." The next morning, in tears and sorrow, old Abraham gave the young Egyptian woman and their mutual son some bread and water and sent them off into the wilderness. Sarah remained in her room with Isaac and did not bid either of them farewell.
After a few days with no food or water, Hagar thought they would both die. When her strength was nearly gone, she sat down and conveyed her fears to Ishmael, who began to cry. God, hearing the boy's cry, sent a messenger who pointed out a well of cool, refreshing water, which enabled them to walk on until they came to a small, desert community. There they were invited to live, provided they work to earn their keep.
Here Ishmael became an expert with the bow, and he could shoot an arrow straighter than anyone in the village. He did most of the hunting to supply them with food. His accuracy was the most accomplished the world had ever seen, excelling all who would follow, including Robin Hood. Hagar made friends with some Egyptian people and through them found a beautiful Egyptian wife for her son.
Ishmael developed into an adventurous nomad and roamed the wilderness and deserts, standing fearlessly in the face of any danger. He also became the father of twelve sons, the pride of their grandmother who lived with them and tended to their needs. Her life, she admitted, was much happier now than it had ever been with Sarah, although she truly missed Abraham and all his loving-kindness. It was nearly forty years after they had been expelled that they received news of the death of Sarah. Hagar thought of perhaps returning to Abraham, since she loved him and had never married. Later, however, she admitted to herself that part of her life was now gone forever and could not be relived, so she quietly remained with her own people.
Abraham did remarry, in spite of his old age, and had Hagar presented herself, he may well have chosen her as his wife. He finally died at the advanced age of 175. Ishmael returned for his funeral, and together with Isaac, his half-brother, they buried their father in the cave of Machpelah. Although Abraham's new wife, Keturah, had borne him six more children, he left everything to his son, Isaac. Although Ishmael had neither expected nor received anything from his father, he shed sincere tears at his passing, but his most bitter tears were reserved for the burial of his dear mother, Hagar, who died a few years later. She had been his mainstay and inspiration all through his maturing years.
The Ishmaelites acquired the well-earned reputation of a tough race of people and respected nomads of the ancient world. Later, when Joseph had been cast out of his family circle through jealousy, it was the Ishmaelites who brought their distant cousin to Egypt, the land of their origin through Hagar.
Abraham's choice between Isaac and Ishmael resulted in a relentless feud of warring cousins that continues to this very day, as the two branches of one man's family battle for dominance. The Jews trace their origins to Abraham through Isaac and Sarah, while the Arabs go back to Abraham through Ishmael and Hagar. We wonder if the audacious children of the freeborn woman and those of the slave girl will ever recognize each other as brothers and sisters from the past.
This story of the two mothers and their sons is filled with love, passion, and jealousy. We can but vainly speculate what Middle East conditions might be today had Hagar and Ishmael not been relegated to the wilderness. So remember:
Think twice before you drag in other folk
To solve a problem or remove distress.
What early on appears a brilliant stroke
Can soon unravel and become a mess.
Read Genesis 16-21
When Abraham and Sarah had been married for a number of years, they became painfully aware of their inability to have children. Sarah often cried over her plight and was frequently upset, especially when other families would visit with their little ones.
Believing their marriage would be forever childless, one day she approached her husband with a suggestion. "We could have a child in our home," she said hesitantly, "if you would consent to have sexual relations with Hagar." Abraham refused to consider the unexpected suggestion and didn't think his wife was serious but merely testing his reaction. A week later she made the same suggestion, and in the meantime had talked to Hagar about the possibility. "I would be glad to have a child," Hagar had told her. But, she admitted blushingly, she had never thought of bearing a child to Abraham. Sarah then convincingly reasoned with Abraham, "Since Hagar is part of our household, it's the closest we can get to our own child." So it was mutually agreed among the three that Abraham and Hagar would sleep together and, if she gave birth to a baby, Sarah would have primary motherly rights to it. Thus on several occasions, Sarah methodically directed her husband to the room of Hagar to spend a portion of the night.
When two months had gone by, Hagar reported to her mistress she was pregnant. Then Sarah solemnly explained to Abraham, "You are to go to her room no more."
Hagar's pregnancy caused Sarah to feel bitter jealousy toward her maid and experienced a deepening sense of her own inferiority. As the months progressed, Hagar was unable to do her normal workload and Sarah angrily accused her of laziness.
Hagar became angry with her mistress as the daily demands became more unreasonable. She finally defied Sarah and retaliated with a haughty attitude. Sarah deeply regretted the childbearing scheme she had organized, although her thoughts were kept secret from Hagar and even Abraham. Two months before the child was due, Sarah physically abused Hagar, causing her to flee to the wilderness in misery and rejection. There God promised her a healthy baby boy, to be named Ishmael, and told her to return home in spite of her mistress.
When the child was finally born and weaned, Sarah felt more at ease with herself and others and loved little Ishmael, holding and rocking him by the hour. More and more she considered him simply as her husband's little boy, something she was unable to do during the time of Hagar's pregnancy. Sarah lavished as much love on Ishmael as did his own mother, and she and Hagar were on friendly terms again.
When Ishmael was thirteen years old, God revealed to Abraham that "every male among you shall be circumcised." It was on the same day that Abraham circumcised his son that he, too, was circumcised at the age of 99. It was also revealed to Abraham that a glorious and unexpected event would take place within a year: Sarah would finally have her own child. She soon became pregnant as predicted and later gave birth to a healthy baby boy, whom she named Isaac. The household and the entire neighborhood rejoiced with the ninety-year-old new mother. As usual, Hagar assisted her -- but several days after Isaac's birth, Sarah abruptly rejected her servant, ordering her to never hold or even so much as touch her son.
Sarah's years of pent-up resentment of Hagar were now vented more each day. She refused to speak to, or even look at Hagar, and her bitter feelings were extended to Ishmael. The climax came on the day of Isaac's weaning, amidst a lawn party with numerous guests. Both Hagar and Ishmael had labored to prepare for the festive event in honor of little Isaac, whom they dearly loved. Sarah was moving among the tables talking to the guests when she noticed Ishmael kneeling at Isaac's crib, talking to him and waving a colorful banner to make him smile. She was very uneasy with him so close to her child, but when she heard Ishmael call him "little brother" she inwardly exploded. Quickly she excused herself and ran into the house shouting for her husband. "Come here at once, Abraham," she urgently called, leading him into the bedroom and banging the door closed. Taken completely by surprise, Abraham could not imagine the urgent problem, as Sarah, flushed and breathless, waved her ferocious finger in his face. "Drive out that slave and her son!" she screamed loudly enough to be heard on the lawn.
"What in the world is the trouble ... why are you so...?"
"Listen," his wife cut him off sharply, "no son of that slave is going to share the inheritance with my son, Isaac."
Abraham had been unaware of the brewing resentment that now had exploded like an overdue geyser. "But this is Hagar's home. And Ishmael -- he is my son. I can't send them away."
Sarah tilted her defiant head at an angle and squinted her almond-shaped eyes, which spoke more plainly than any words ever could. But just in case her husband did not get the message clearly, she added slowly and strongly, "Abe, they both must go ... immediately!"
Hagar and Ishmael heard their sentence of banishment from the lips of Sarah, as had the gathered guests who rapidly began to depart. Abraham was greatly distressed and exited the house through the backdoor into the garden. Alone there, he thought and prayed. God told him to calm his stress and comply with the demands of his wife, since her son was the child of promise, for "it is through Isaac that descendants shall bear your name." Abraham's fatherly instincts protested, expressing his fear for the safety and well-be-ing of Ishmael and his mother. It was then that God expressly promised him, "I will make a great nation of him also, since he, too, is your offspring." The next morning, in tears and sorrow, old Abraham gave the young Egyptian woman and their mutual son some bread and water and sent them off into the wilderness. Sarah remained in her room with Isaac and did not bid either of them farewell.
After a few days with no food or water, Hagar thought they would both die. When her strength was nearly gone, she sat down and conveyed her fears to Ishmael, who began to cry. God, hearing the boy's cry, sent a messenger who pointed out a well of cool, refreshing water, which enabled them to walk on until they came to a small, desert community. There they were invited to live, provided they work to earn their keep.
Here Ishmael became an expert with the bow, and he could shoot an arrow straighter than anyone in the village. He did most of the hunting to supply them with food. His accuracy was the most accomplished the world had ever seen, excelling all who would follow, including Robin Hood. Hagar made friends with some Egyptian people and through them found a beautiful Egyptian wife for her son.
Ishmael developed into an adventurous nomad and roamed the wilderness and deserts, standing fearlessly in the face of any danger. He also became the father of twelve sons, the pride of their grandmother who lived with them and tended to their needs. Her life, she admitted, was much happier now than it had ever been with Sarah, although she truly missed Abraham and all his loving-kindness. It was nearly forty years after they had been expelled that they received news of the death of Sarah. Hagar thought of perhaps returning to Abraham, since she loved him and had never married. Later, however, she admitted to herself that part of her life was now gone forever and could not be relived, so she quietly remained with her own people.
Abraham did remarry, in spite of his old age, and had Hagar presented herself, he may well have chosen her as his wife. He finally died at the advanced age of 175. Ishmael returned for his funeral, and together with Isaac, his half-brother, they buried their father in the cave of Machpelah. Although Abraham's new wife, Keturah, had borne him six more children, he left everything to his son, Isaac. Although Ishmael had neither expected nor received anything from his father, he shed sincere tears at his passing, but his most bitter tears were reserved for the burial of his dear mother, Hagar, who died a few years later. She had been his mainstay and inspiration all through his maturing years.
The Ishmaelites acquired the well-earned reputation of a tough race of people and respected nomads of the ancient world. Later, when Joseph had been cast out of his family circle through jealousy, it was the Ishmaelites who brought their distant cousin to Egypt, the land of their origin through Hagar.
Abraham's choice between Isaac and Ishmael resulted in a relentless feud of warring cousins that continues to this very day, as the two branches of one man's family battle for dominance. The Jews trace their origins to Abraham through Isaac and Sarah, while the Arabs go back to Abraham through Ishmael and Hagar. We wonder if the audacious children of the freeborn woman and those of the slave girl will ever recognize each other as brothers and sisters from the past.
This story of the two mothers and their sons is filled with love, passion, and jealousy. We can but vainly speculate what Middle East conditions might be today had Hagar and Ishmael not been relegated to the wilderness. So remember:
Think twice before you drag in other folk
To solve a problem or remove distress.
What early on appears a brilliant stroke
Can soon unravel and become a mess.
Read Genesis 16-21
