So [Hagar] called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, “You are a God of seeing,” for she said, “Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.”              -Genesis 16:16

And Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me.” And she said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”                      – Genesis 21:6-7

Genesis 12-25 is rightly referred to as the ‘Abrahamic Narrative’ because of his prominence. He is not, however, the only person of importance in these chapters. Though the cultures of the ancient world were intensely patriarchal we find that women have significant roles within this section of Genesis as well as the book as a whole. The two prominent women of the Abrahamic narrative are Sarah and Hagar.

We read in chapter 16 that because she had not yet become pregnant with the child God had promised to them ten years earlier, Sarah encouraged Abram to take their Egyptian slave and to have a child by her.

We know very little about Hagar but she was probably acquired by the couple during their time in Egypt (12:10-20). As a slave she would have had no say in this matter which was a common cultural practice in the ancient world. Upon realizing that she was pregnant she came to despise her mistress who then sent her away in anger with the approval of her husband. It was in the midst of her distress, cast away by those who had misused her, that the Word of the Lord came to her. Her response to His Word was to recognize that Yahweh was ‘the God who sees.’ He is the one cares for and looks after those who have been misused and mistreated when they call out to Him.

Following the events of chapter 16, Sarai’s name was changed along with Abram’s in chapter 17. Her name would now be Sarah, an updated form of her previous name that meant ‘princess’ which emphasized the fact that kings would come from her line. Though God had again promised that she would have a son, she was surely discouraged as the years passed without her conceiving.

In chapter 18 the Lord appeared to Abram 24 years after He had spoken to him. While the Lord initially spoke with Abraham He seemed particularly concerned that Sarah hear His Word. While she was in her tent she overheard the words of promise that in one year’s time she would have a child. Her response was to laugh given that it was now biologically impossible for her to have children. Though she initially denied that she had laughed, it was God turned her laugh of disbelief into joyous laughter in chapter 21.

The stories of these two women remind us that God has different plans for each of our lives. We do not know what all we will face in this life but those who trust in the Lord and recognize that He watches over and will keep His promises to His people are the ones who will find rest for their souls and hope even in the midst of difficulty.

Join us this Sunday as we gather to worship our Savior Jesus!

Soli Deo Gloria.

-Thomas