Gênesis 16

Gênesis 16

William MacDonald has an interesting comment writing that "Sarai responded by blaming Abram, then driving Hagar out of the house. This illustrates the conflict between law and grace. They cannot cohabit (Gal. 4:21–31+). (BORROW Believer's Bible Commentary) Wrong (violence) (02555)(chamas/hamas) from the verb chamas = to treat violently or wrong) means wrong, violence (to God's law = Ezek 22:26, Zeph 3:4, "violent hatred" = Ps 25:19), malicious (witness - Ex 23:1, Dt 19:16), , and is used almost always in connection with sinful violence, not with the violence of natural catastrophes. Basically chamas connotes the disruption of the divinely established order of things. It has a wide range of nuances within this legal sphere. The noun usually denotes physical violence (Ezek 7:23). It suggests crimes (Jdg 9:24) or violent wrong (1Ch 12:17). Chamas provoked the Flood - Chamas signifies extreme wickedness and the first two uses are very instructive (especially God's reaction)… (Ge 6:11) Now the earth was corrupt in the sight of God, and the earth was filled with violence. (Lxx translates with adikia = an act that violates the standards of right conduct) (Ge 6:13) Then God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence (Lxx translates with adikia) because of them; and behold, I am about to destroy them with the earth. The Blame Game My wrong be upon you! . . . The Lord judge between you and me. — Genesis 16:5 Today's Scripture : Genesis 16:1-6; 21:8-13 When Jenny’s husband left her for another woman, she vowed that she would never meet his new wife. But when she realized that her bitterness was damaging her children’s relationship with their father, she asked for God’s help to take the first steps toward overcoming bitterness in a situation she couldn’t change. In Genesis 16, we read the story of a couple to whom God later promised a baby. When Sarai suggested that her husband Abram have a child with their servant Hagar, she wasn’t fully trusting God for the child He had promised. When the baby was born, Hagar despised Sarai (Gen. 16:3-4), and Sarai became bitter (vv.5-6). Hagar had been the slave with no rights and suddenly she was special. How did Sarai react? By blaming others, including Abram (v.5). God’s promise was realized in the birth of Isaac 14 years later. Even his weaning celebration was spoiled by Sarai’s attitude (21:8-10). It may never have been easy for Sarai to have lived with the consequences of their decision to go ahead of God. It may have taken a miracle of grace to change her attitude but that could have transformed everything. Sarai couldn’t reverse the decision, but through God’s strength, she could have lived with it differently, and given God the glory. By: Marion Stroud Thank You, Lord, that though our situations may not change, Your grace is strong enough to change us in our situations. Help us as we struggle sometimes to live in this sinful world. By God’s grace, we can reflect His light in the dark times. Genesis 16:6 But Abram said to Sarai, “Behold, your maid is in your power; do to her what is good in your sight.” So Sarai treated her harshly, and she fled from her presence. Abram: Ge 13:8,9 Pr 14:29 15:1,17,18 1Pe 3:7 in: Ge 24:10 Job 2:6 Ps 106:41,42 Jer 38:5 as it pleaseth thee: Heb. that which is good in thine eyes, dealt hardly with her. Heb. afflicted her. Pr 29:19 fled: Ex 2:15 Pr 27:38 Ec 10:4 Genesis 16 Resources - Multiple sermons and commentaries ABRAM ABDICATES SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP But Abram said to Sarai, “Behold, your maid is in your power (literally "your hand"); do to her what is good in your sight.” NLT - "Abram replied, "Since she is your servant, you may deal with her as you see fit." Abram could have "man upped" and confessed he was partially to blame for this mess, but again he plays the passivity card and fails to lead and instead caves in to Sarai's emotional raving. He should have confronted Sarai with her part in the sin, but he did not. In any event Sarai took control and treated Hagar harshly. What is sad, is that Abram refused to "man up," for Hagar was carrying his offspring and this would seem to warrant his protection from the ire of Sarai. Clearly Abram failed in two ways - he failed to lead Sarai and failed to protect Hagar! Did you catch that phrase "what is good in your sight"? He should have phrased it "what is good in God's sight!" Abram's words are eerily similar to what got Israel in deep trouble in the book of Judges, Judges 21:25+ recording "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes." At this moment in Sarai and Abram's life, it seems there was no "King" in their household! THOUGHT - Bill Gothard speaking to 2600 pastors made a statement that was condemning to all the pastors. He said that, by far the greatest complaint of pastors’ wives was that their husbands, the spiritual leaders in their church, had failed to take spiritual leadership in their home! Men, are any of us also convicted? R Kent