SARAI – Part 3
Learn: James 1:5-8
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith; nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Read: Genesis 16:1-16
1. In Genesis 13:1-13 we learn that Abram and Sarai returned to Canaan and Abram became rich in cattle and silver and in gold. His nephew Lot also had flocks, herds, and tents. There was not room for them to remain together, so in order to meet the needs of their animals they must separate. We learn that Lot choose the lush lands near Sodom, but the men there were exceedingly wicked. Abram took the hill country. What promise did the LORD make to Abram at this time? Genesis 13:14-17
2. In Genesis 14:1-24, Abram is called to rescue Lot and the peoples of Sodom who had been taken captive by several kings. After saving Lot and the people of Sodom, Sodom’s king offered Abram a reward, but Abram refused the reward so that the king of Sodom could not say that it was he who had made Abram rich. What promise did God make to Abram because he had trusted God and not man to provide for him? Genesis 15:1-5
3. Why did the LORD declare Abram righteous? Genesis 15:6
4. Along with an heir of his own flesh, what other promise did the LORD make to Abram? Genesis 15:18-21
5. Abram and Sarai had believed God’s promise that they would have a child of their own, an heir that would be the fulfillment of God’s promised blessing, but circumstances caused doubt to arise. What was the reason for their doubt? Genesis 16:1a, 2a
6. What was Sarai’s proposed solution that she believed would provide an heir for her and Abram? Genesis 16:1b, 2b
NOTE: The suggestion that Sarai made to Abram was in accord with the practice of the day, as attested in legal codes and marriage contracts of the time. – Ryrie Study Bible notes
7. What did Abram do with Sarai’s suggestion? Genesis 16:2c
8. Humanly, we understand Sarai’s concern, for we all struggle with doubts when times become difficult, and prayers are not answered according to our timetable. But to turn to the world for its solution is sin and invites problems that we can not even imagine. How should Sarai have approached the continued inability to bear a child, knowing God had promised that she would have a child of promise? Hebrews 6:18
James 1:5, 6
I Corinthians 10:13
9. But instead of continuing to trust God to do exactly as he had promised, Sarai and Abram (as we often do) thought they needed to help God. What was the result? Genesis 16:4
10. Abram and Sarai loved each other very much. What did their decision to run ahead of God bring to their home? Genesis 16:5
11. How did Abram try to restore peace to his home? Genesis 16:6a
12. What did Abram’s lack of taking responsibility for the situation and thus giving permission to Sarai result in? Genesis 16:6b
13. Now Hagar had brought the anger of Sarai on herself by her bad behavior towards her mistress, but for those who believe in the only true God, bad behavior towards ourselves does not justify bad behavior in return. What does the Scripture teach should be our response in such circumstances? Romans 12:19-21
14. We see that in this situation, the trouble began with lack of trust in the LORD to keep his promise by Sarai and Abram. This led to wrongs being done on the part of each person involved. There seems to be no way to bring healing to the family. What is the solution? Genesis 16:7a
15. Who is the angel of the LORD that came to rescue Hagar? Genesis 16:13
16. What proofs do we have from theses verses, that this is God indeed come to the aid of Hagar? Genesis 16:9 The angel of the LORD speaks as God, giving _______________to Hagar that he expects her to obey, saying-
Genesis 16:10 The angel of the LORD speaks as God proclaiming his_____________ to accomplish his will through Hagar, saying-
Genesis 16:11, 12 The angel of the LORD speaks as God ___________________ the character of Hagar’s child and the future of his descendants, saying-
Genesis 16:15 The _______________that the angel of the LORD had said, came to pass, when-
17. In Isaiah 46:9, 10 the LORD calls Israel and us to remember that he alone is God because
18. What did Hagar do to show that she knew that she had met with God?
Genesis 16:13
Genesis 16:14
Genesis 16:15
19. How old was Abram when Ishmael was born? Genesis 16:16
20. Each of us can get ourselves into difficult and seemingly impossible situations by our own fault or simply because the Lord has brought these trials to test our trust in him and grow our faith. What is the hope that we have that those without Christ do not have? Jeremiah 33:2, 3