16:3 Taking Matters into Their Own Hands A feeble attempt on Abraham and Sarah’s part to bring about God’s promise of an heir, this acquiescence to the customs of the surrounding culture sowed the seeds of much future conflict. When we allow our doubts and uncertainties to guide our decisions, suffering is often the unintended result.
16:6-15 God Remembers the Outcast Homeless, pregnant, and running from her abuser, Hagar knew suffering at the hands of those who rejected her. But God, the all-compassionate One, sent his angel to Hagar with a message: “the LORD has heard your cry of distress” (16:11). A bright new day had dawned for Hagar as the Lord began to fulfill his promises to an outcast woman.