This is kind of a scandalous story in the Bible. Abram and Sarai are childless, and they are worried about an heir as they are both getting older. Sarai suggests that Abram produces a child with Hagar, and then when it finally happens, it produces tension between Sarai and Hagar. Sarai blames the strained relationship on Abram even though she was the one who suggested it. Okay, they are both at fault, so I don't understand why she says, "May the LORD judge between you and me." Does she think she is innocent (or perhaps less guilty) than Abram?
After the domestic problems have been sorted out, God appears in front of Abram and reaffirms the covenant he made with Abram previously. He renames to Abraham and Sarah and finally gives Abram and Sarai a child.
I think this story is a good reminder of how God chooses ordinary people who have steadfast faith and trust God, but aren't perfect.
Yeah, I think it's always interesting to go back to the OT and realize how all these people were FAR from perfect! I still think it's funny how they thought they were too old to have children when just a few generations back people were having kids at like 500. But I guess this is after God limited man's life to 120 years, so it makes sense.
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