Matthew Henry Commentary Genesis 16
Matthew Henry Commentary
Genesis 16
Matthew Henry Commentary
Genesis 16
"Now Sarai, Abram`s wife, bare him no children: and she had a handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, Jehovah hath restrained me from bearing; go in, I pray thee, unto my handmaid; it may be that I shall obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. And Sarai, Abram`s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian, her handmaid, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to Abram her husband to be his wife." — Genesis 16:1-3 (ASV)
Sarai, no longer expecting to have children herself, proposed to Abram that he take another wife, through whom she might have children. This wife was to be her slave, whose children would be her property. This was done without seeking counsel from the Lord. Unbelief was at work; God's almighty power was forgotten. It was a bad example and a source of much distress.
In every relationship and situation in life, there is some cross for us to bear: much of the exercise of faith consists in patiently submitting, waiting for the Lord's time, and using only those means that He appoints for the removal of the cross.
Foul temptations may have very fair pretenses and be colored with what is very plausible. Fleshly wisdom diverts us from God's way.
This would not be the case if we would seek counsel from God through His word and by prayer before we attempt anything that is doubtful.
"And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes. And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I gave my handmaid into they bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: Jehovah judge between me and thee. But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her that which is good in thine eyes. And Sarai dealt hardly with her, and she fled from her face." — Genesis 16:4-6 (ASV)
Abram's unhappy marriage to Hagar very soon created a great deal of trouble. We may thank ourselves for the guilt and grief that follow us when we depart from the path of our duty.
See it in this case: passionate people often quarrel with others for things of which they themselves must bear the blame. Sarai had given her maid to Abram, yet she cries out, My wrong be upon thee. What pride and anger put into our mouths is never said wisely.
Those who are most loud and forward in appealing to God are not always in the right; such rash and bold imprecations commonly speak guilt and a bad cause. Hagar forgot that she herself had first given the provocation by despising her mistress.
Those that suffer for their faults ought to bear it patiently (1 Peter 2:20).
"And the angel of Jehovah found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur. And he said, Hagar, Sarai`s handmaid, whence camest thou? and whither goest thou? And she said, I am fleeing from the face of my mistress Sarai. And the angel of Jehovah said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands. And the angel of Jehovah said unto her, I will greatly multiply thy seed, that it shall not be numbered for multitude. And the angel of Jehovah said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son; and thou shalt call his name Ishmael, because Jehovah hath heard thy affliction. And he shall be [as] a wild ass among men; his hand [shall be] against every man, and every man`s hand against him; and he shall dwell over against all his brethren. And she called the name of Jehovah that spake unto her, Thou art a God that seeth: for she said, Have I even here looked after him that seeth me? Wherefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered. And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called the name of his son, whom Hagar bare, Ishmael. And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram." — Genesis 16:7-16 (ASV)
Hagar was out of her place, and out of the way of her duty, and going further astray, when the Angel found her. It is a great mercy to be stopped in a sinful way, either by conscience or by providence. From where do you come? Consider that you are running from duty, and the privileges you were blessed with in Abram's tent.
It is good to live in a religious family, which those ought to consider who have this advantage. To where will you go? You are running into sin; if Hagar returns to Egypt, she will return to idol gods, and into danger in the wilderness through which she must travel. Recollecting who we are would often teach us our duty.
Inquiring from where we came would show us our sin and folly. Considering to where we shall go discovers our danger and misery. And those who leave their space and duty must hasten their return, however mortifying it may be. The declaration of the Angel, “I will,” shows that this Angel was the eternal Word and Son of God.
Hagar could not help but admire the Lord's mercy, and feel, "Have I, who am so unworthy, been favoured with a gracious visit from the Lord?" She was brought to a better temper, returned, and by her behavior softened Sarai, and received more gentle treatment. Would that we were always suitably impressed with this thought, Thou God seest me!
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