As I was reading this chapter this morning something occurred, often one thinks of Arab world being children of Ishmael, and no doubt some are. Yet Ishmael mother was hand maiden of Sarah Abraham wife. Who became second wife to Abraham. Hagar was from Egypt, not of the land of Sarah and Abraham, a land that was visited by Israel on more then one occasion. Had anyone realized the issues between Israel and Egypt beyond the plagues. When Joseph went to Egypt he could of been among his uncles kinsmen. Sarah gave her hand maid to Abraham no doubt to the pressures of conceiving. If we compare this custom to our culture today, it does not work will. It is a type of slavery and one with no choice for Hagar but to comply to Sarah request. I often think of these polygamist groups that have more then one wife in marriage. There seems to be no jealous by those in these groups of more then one spouse. It is part of there culture, yet it is not the norm in most states. Most states only recognize one wife and not more. Some see it as a blessing to have more then one wife and other cultures see it has curse and think of Proverbs where women quarrel.

Abraham had two warring women. Two women that were jealous of each others position. Hagar second wife status and she became pregnant. Sarah jealous because she had not conceived and she was getting older by the day. Primitive cultures yet believers in God. Yet God allowed these people their culture. God did not tell Hagar to stop living as a second wife to Abraham when she ran away, instead He tells her to return. Can we do no less to people of different cultures. God’s word teaches to refrain from the worship of other gods. To worship him alone. Hagar went back into a difficult situation of abuse from her husband’s first wife and submit to her leadership. We know Ishmaelites spread through out Arab world into twelve tribes, but the noting of where his mother comes from is important, as well as how much strife still continues in the Middle East and surrounding areas. Though things have gotten better in recent years it far from perfect.

The fast past culture of the church emerging forth after the cross, caused a stir in the intermixing culture world. Paul taught to be married to one wife, yet it was opposition of Roman, Greek, Arab and Jewish world. When Peter found himself in the situation of what to tell the convert Gentiles about the laws of God, he went to the elders and conferred with them on the issue. The one law given was to abstain from the worship of idols and the consumption of sacrificed meat to idols, along with abstain from sexual whoredom associated with temples of false gods. As culture of the worlds changed eventual the culture of one man and one wife emerged to what is known today. In symbolizing the first union of Adam and Eve and Jesus message on marriage and divorce.

How our culture has changed from years gone by. Had the abuse of a former culture been ridden of way back when, would life been better in the world. Divorce was given by Moses, yet divorce happened in culture before. God’s people were to have purity of marriage and family. This law of purity still exist in the religious world today. Yet the law of purity is not often followed by culture of this world. The in and out of bed of women is more then norm, yet it looked at as non existent. Some believing sex gets them into higher position and in truth you have to earn your way by your skills if you going to be any good at your job in this world. To use sex will often be short lived. Hagar used conception to try to declare a better position for herself and yet God told her to submit to Sarah.

In hard to understand why God would even encourage Hagar submission, yet when Hagar leaves the second time it is with provisions. To be outcast and leave without provision is foolish to leave with provision is much better choice. Israel slavery to Egypt is only full proof of God’s provision of leaving in his time frame. One can not leave without God’s provision. Hagar submission was important for her leaving with provision. Hagar learning to obey God was important to her relationship with God. Her obedience with God’s provision of the water at the well, is only proof of her relationship with God. She was human and acted humanly with Sarah, especially her attitude. Yet it would be that attitude that would cause Sarah to get rid of her.

God is desiring us to obey him, and to trust in him. To submit to God and his ways verses trusting man’s way or one own desires to be rid of a situation. It not the easiest thing to do in our world, but it is a fact that is much better to listen to God instruction in difficult times. God provision is always best.

Dear Heavenly Father help me to always trust you and your provison, submitting to your will. In Jesus precious name, Amen.