Escape of some kind is usually the most tempting solution to our problems. In fact, it can become a habit.  Hagar was a person who used that approach.  When the going got tough, she usually got going – in the other direction.

However, it is worthwhile to note that the biggest challenges Hagar faced were brought on by other people’s choices.  Sarah chose her to bear Abraham’s child, and Hagar probably had little say in the matter.

It isn’t hard to understand how Hagar’s pregnancy caused her to look down on Sarah. But that brought on hard feelings, and Sarah consequently punished Hagar.  This motivated her first escape.  When she returned to the family and gave birth to Ishmael, Sarah’s continued barrenness must have contributed to bitterness on both sides.

When Isaac was finally born, Sarah looked for any excuse to have Hagar and Ishmael sent away. She found it when she caught Ishmael teasing Isaac.  In the desert, out of water and facing the death of her son, Hagar once again tried to escape.  She walked away so she wouldn’t have to watch her son die.  Once again, God graciously intervened.

Have you noticed how patiently God operates to make our escape attempts fail? Have you begun to learn that escape is only a temporary solution?  God’s continual desire is for us to face our problems with his help.  We experience his help most clearly in and through conflicts and difficulties, not away from them.  Are there problems in your life for which you’ve been using the “Hagar solution”?  Choose one of those problems, ask for God’s help, and begin to face it today.

Strength and accomplishment:

• Mother of Abraham’s first child, Ishmael, who became founder of the Arab nations

Weaknesses and mistakes:

• When faced with problems, she tended to run away
• Her pregnancy brought out strong feelings of pride and arrogance

Lessons from her life:

• God is faithful to his plan and promises, even when humans complicate the process
• God shows himself as one who knows us and wants to be known by us
• The New Testament uses Hagar as a symbol of those who would pursue favour with God by their own efforts, rather than by trusting in his mercy and forgiveness

Vital statistics:

• Where: Canaan and Egypt
• Occupation: Servant, mother
• Relatives: Son: Ishmael

Key verse: “Then the angel of the LORD told her, ‘Go back to your mistress and submit to her’ “ (Genesis 16.9).

Hagar’s story is told in Genesis 16-21. She is also mentioned in Galatians 4.24, 25.

There probably isn’t anything harder to do than wait, whether we are expecting something good, something bad, or an unknown.

One way we often cope with a long wait (or even a short one) is to begin helping God to put his plan into action. Sarah tried this approach.  She was too old to expect to have a child of her own, so she thought God must have something else in mind.  From Sarah’s limited point of view this could only be to give Abraham a son through another woman – a common practice in her day.  The plan seemed harmless enough.  Abraham would sleep with Sarah’s maidservant, who would then give birth to a child.  Sarah would take the chid as her own.  The plan worked beautifully – at first.  But as you read about the events that followed, you will be struck by how often Sarah must have regretted the day she decided to push God’s timetable ahead.

Another way we cope with a long wait is to gradually conclude that what we’re waiting for is never going to happen. Sarah waited 90 years for a baby!  When God told her she would finally have one of her own, she laughed, not so much from a lack of faith in what God could do, but from doubt about what he could do through her.  When confronted about her laughter, she lied – as she had seen her husband do from time to time.  She probably didn’t want her true feelings to be known.

What parts of your life seem to be on hold right now? Do you understand that this may be part of God’s plan for you?  The Bible has more than enough clear direction to keep us busy while we’re waiting for some particular part of life to move ahead.

Strengths and accomplishments:

• Was intensely loyal to her own child
• Became the mother of a nation and an ancestor of Jesus
• Was a woman of faith, the first woman listed in the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11

Weaknesses and mistakes:

• Had trouble believing God’s promises to her
• Attempted to work problems out on her own, without consulting God
• Tried to cover her faults by blaming others

Lessons from her life:

• God responds to faith even in the midst of failure
• God is not bound by what usually happens; he can stretch the limits and cause unheard-of events to occur

Vital statistics:

• Where: Married Abram in Ur of the Chaldeans, then moved with him to Canaan
• Occupation: Wife, mother, household manager
• Relatives: Father: Terah. Husband: Abraham.  Half brothers: Nahor and Haran.  Nephew: Lot.  Son: Isaac

Key verse:   “By faith Abraham, even though he was past age – and Sarah herself was barren – was enabled to become a father because he considered himself faithful who had made the promise” (Hebrews 11.11).

Sarah’s story is told in Genesis 11 – 25.  She is also mentioned in Isaiah 51.2; Romans 4.19; 9.9; Hebrews 11.11; 1 Peter 3.6.

A name carries great authority. It sets you apart.  It triggers memories.  The sound of it calls you to attention anywhere.

Many Bible names accomplished even more. They were often descriptions of important facts about one’s past and hopes for the future.  The choice of the name Isaac, “he laughs”, for Abraham and Sarah’s son must have created a variety of feelings in them each time it was spoken.  At times it must have recalled their shocked laughter at God’s announcement that they would be parents in their old age.  At other times, it must have brought back the joyful feelings of receiving their long-awaited answer to prayer for a child.  Most important, it was a testimony to God’s power in making his promise a reality.

In a family of forceful initiators, Isaac was the quiet, “mind-my-own-business” type unless he was specifically called on to take action. He was the protected only child from the time Sarah got rid of Ishmael until Abraham arranged his marriage to Rebekah.

In his own family, Isaac had the patriarchal position, but Rebekah had the power. Rather than stand his ground, Isaac found it easier to compromise or lie to avoid confrontations.

In spite of these shortcomings, Isaac was part of God’s plan. The model his father gave him included a great gift of faith in the one true God.  God’s promise to create a great nation through which he would bless the world was passed on by Isaac to his twin sons.

It is usually not hard to identify with Isaac in his weaknesses. But consider for a moment that God works through people in spite of their shortcomings and, often, through them.  As you pray, put into words your desire to be available to God.  You will discover that his willingness to use you is even greater than your desire to be used.

Strengths and accomplishments:

• He was the miracle child born to Sarah and Abraham when she was 90 years old and he was 100
• He was the first descendant in fulfilment of God’s promise to Abraham
• He seems to have been a caring and consistent husband, at least until his sons were born
• He demonstrated great patience

Weaknesses and mistakes:

• Under pressure he tended to lie
• In conflict he sought to avoid confrontation
• He played favourites between his sons and alienated his wife

Lessons from his life:

• Patience often brings rewards
• Both God’s plans and his promises are larger than people
• God keeps his promises! He remains faithful though we are often faithless
• Playing favourites is sure to bring family conflict

Vital statistics:

• Where: The area called the Negev, in the southern part of Palestine, between Kadesh and Shur (Genesis 20.1)
• Occupation: Wealthy livestock owner
• Relatives: Parents: Abraham and Sarah. Half brother: Ishmael.  Wife: Rebekah.  Sons: Jacob and Esau

Key verse: “Then God said, ‘Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac.  I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him’ “ (Genesis 17.19).

Isaac’s story is told in Genesis 17.15-35.29. He is also mentioned in Romans 9.7, 8; Hebrews 11.17-20; James 2.21-24.