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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Genesis, Chapter XVI].</TITLE>
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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1></center>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1706)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<A NAME="Page105"> </A>
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>G E N E S I S</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XVI.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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Hagar is the person mostly concerned in the story of this chapter, an
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obscure Egyptian woman, whose name and story we never should
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have heard of if Providence had not brought her into the family of
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Abram. Probably she was one of those maid-servants whom the
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king of Egypt, among other gifts, bestowed upon Abram,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+14:16"><I>ch.</I> xiv. 16</A>.
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Concerning her, we have four things in this chapter:--
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I. Her marriage to Abram her master,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+16:1-3">ver. 1-3</A>.
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II. Her
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misbehaviour towards Sarai her mistress,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+16:4-6">ver. 4-6</A>.
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III. Her discourse
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with an angel that met her in her flight,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+16:7-14">ver. 7-14</A>.
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IV. Her delivery of a son,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+16:15,16">ver. 15, 16</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Ge16_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ge16_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ge16_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Abram, Sarai, and Hagar.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1911.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 Now Sarai Abram's wife bare
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him no children: and she had
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a handmaid, an Egyptian, whose
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name <I>was</I> Hagar.
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2 And Sarai said
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unto Abram, Behold now, the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>
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hath restrained me from bearing: I
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pray thee, go in unto my maid; it
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may be that I may obtain children by
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her. And Abram hearkened to the
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voice of Sarai.
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3 And Sarai Abram's
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wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian,
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after Abram had dwelt ten years
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in the land of Canaan, and gave her
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to her husband Abram to be his wife.
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</FONT></P>
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<A NAME="Page106"> </A>
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<P>
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We have here the marriage of Abram to
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Hagar, who was his secondary wife. Herein,
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though some excuse may be made for him,
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he cannot be justified, for <I>from the beginning
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it was not so;</I> and, when it was so, it seems
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to have proceeded from an irregular desire to
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build up families for the speedier peopling
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of the world and the church. Certainly it
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must not be so now. Christ has reduced
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this matter to the first institution, and makes
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the marriage union to be between one man
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and one woman only. Now,</P>
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<P>
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I. The maker of this match (would one
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think it?) was Sarai herself: she said to
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Abram, <I>I pray thee, go in unto my maid,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+16:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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Note,
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1. It is the policy of Satan to tempt us
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by our nearest and dearest relations, or those
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friends that we have an opinion of and an
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affection for. The temptation is most dangerous
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when it is sent by a hand that is least
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suspected: it is our wisdom therefore to consider,
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not so much who speaks as what is
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spoken.
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2. God's commands consult our
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comfort and honour much better than our
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own contrivances do. It would have been
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much more for Sarai's interest if Abram had
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kept to the rule of God's law instead of being
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guided by her foolish projects; but we often
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do ill for ourselves.</P>
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<P>
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II. The inducement to it was Sarai's barrenness.</P>
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<P>
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1. <I>Sarai bare Abram no children.</I> She was
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very fair
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+12:14"><I>ch.</I> xii. 14</A>),
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was a very agreeable,
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dutiful wife, and a sharer with him in his
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large possessions; and yet written childless.
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Note,
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(1.) God dispenses his gifts variously,
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loading us with benefits, but not overloading
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us: some cross or other is appointed to be an
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alloy to great enjoyments.
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(2.) The mercy
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of children is often given to the poor and
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denied to the rich, given to the wicked and
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denied to good people, though the rich have
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most to leave them and good people would
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take most care of their education. God does
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herein as it has pleased him.</P>
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<P>
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2. She owned God's providence in this
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affliction: <I>The Lord hath restrained me from
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bearing.</I> Note,
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(1.) As, where children are,
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it is God that gives them
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+33:5"><I>ch.</I> xxxiii. 5</A>),
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so where they are wanted it is he that withholds
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them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+30:2"><I>ch.</I> xxx. 2</A>.
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This evil is of the Lord.
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(2.) It becomes us to acknowledge this, that
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we may bear it, and improve it, as an affliction
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of his ordering for wise and holy ends.</P>
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<P>
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3. She used this as an argument with
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Abram to marry his maid; and he was prevailed
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upon by this argument to do it. Note,
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(1.) When our hearts are too much set upon
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any creature-comfort, we are easily put upon
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the use of indirect methods for the obtaining
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of it. Inordinate desires commonly produce
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irregular endeavours. If our wishes be not
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kept in a submission to God's providence,
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our pursuits will scarcely be kept under the
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restraints of his precepts.
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(2.) It is for want
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of a firm dependence upon God's promise,
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and a patient waiting for God's time, that we
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go out of the way of our duty to catch at
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expected mercy. <I>He that believes does not
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make haste.</I></P>
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<P>
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4. Abram's compliance with Sarai's proposal,
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we have reason to think, was from an
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earnest desire of the promised seed, on whom
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the covenant should be entailed. God had
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told him that his heir should be a son of his
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body, but had not yet told him that it should
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be a son by Sarai; therefore he thought,
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"Why not by Hagar, since Sarai herself proposed
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it?" Note,
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(1.) Foul temptations may
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have very fair pretences, and be coloured with
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that which is very plausible.
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(2.) Fleshly
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wisdom, as it anticipates God's time of mercy,
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so it puts us out of God's way.
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(3.) This
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would be happily prevented if we would ask
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counsel of God by the word and by prayer,
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before we attempt that which is important
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and suspicious. Herein Abram was wanting;
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he married without God's consent. <I>This
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persuasion came not of him that called him.</I></P>
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<A NAME="Ge16_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ge16_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ge16_6"> </A>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>4 And he went in unto Hagar, and
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she conceived: and when she saw
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that she had conceived, her mistress
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was despised in her eyes.
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5 And
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Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong <I>be</I>
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upon thee: I have given my maid
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into thy bosom; and when she saw
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that she had conceived, I was despised
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in her eyes: the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> judge between
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me and thee.
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6 But Abram said
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unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid <I>is</I> in
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thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth
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thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly
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with her, she fled from her face.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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We have here the immediate bad consequences
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of Abram's unhappy marriage to
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Hagar. A great deal of mischief it made
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quickly. When we do not well both sin and
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trouble lie at the door; and we may thank
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ourselves for the guilt and grief that follow
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us when we go out of the way of our duty.
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See it in this story.</P>
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<P>
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I. Sarai is despised, and thereby provoked
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and put into a passion,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+16:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
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Hagar no
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sooner perceives herself with child by her
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master than she looks scornfully upon her
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mistress, upbraids her perhaps with her barrenness,
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insults over her, to make her to fret (as
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+1:6">1 Sam. i. 6</A>),
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and boasts of the prospect
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she had of bringing an heir to Abram, to
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that good land, and to the promise. Now
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she thinks herself a better woman than Sarai,
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more favoured by Heaven, and likely to be
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better beloved by Abram; and therefore she
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will not submit as she has done. Note,
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1. Mean and servile spirits, when favoured and
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advanced either by God or man, are apt
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to grow haughty and insolent, and to forget
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their place and origin. See
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+29:21,Pr+30:21-23">Prov. xxix. 21; xxx. 21-23</A>.
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It is a hard thing to bear
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honour aright.
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2. We justly suffer by those
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whom we have sinfully indulged, and it is a
|
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<A NAME="Page107"> </A>
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righteous thing with God to make those instruments
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of our trouble whom we have made
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instruments of our sin, and to ensnare us in
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our own evil counsels: this stone will return
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upon him that rolleth it.</P>
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<P>
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II. Abram is clamoured upon, and cannot
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be easy while Sarai is out of humour; she
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upbraids him vehemently, and very unjustly
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charges him with the injury
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+16:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>):
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<I>My wrong
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be upon thee,</I> with a most unreasonable jealousy
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suspecting that he countenanced Hagar's
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insolence; and, as one not willing to hear
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what Abram had to say for the rectifying of
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the mistake and the clearing of himself, she
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rashly appeals to God in the case: <I>The Lord
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judge between me and thee;</I> as if Abram had
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refused to right her. Thus does Sarai, in
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her passion, speak <I>as one of the foolish women
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speaketh.</I> Note,
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1. It is an absurdity which
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passionate people are often guilty of to quarrel
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with others for that of which they themselves
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must bear the blame. Sarai could not but
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own that she had given her maid to Abram,
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and yet she cries out, <I>My wrong be upon thee,</I>
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when she should have said, <I>What a fool was
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I to do so!</I> That is never said wisely which
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pride and anger have the inditing of; when
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passion is upon the throne, reason is out of
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doors, and is neither heard nor spoken.
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2. Those are not always in the right who are
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most loud and forward in appealing to God.
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Rash and bold imprecations are commonly
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evidences of guilt and a bad cause.</P>
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<P>
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III. Hagar is afflicted, and driven from the
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house,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+16:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
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Observe,
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1. Abram's meekness
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resigns the matter of the maid-servant to
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Sarai, whose proper province it was to rule
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that part of the family: <I>Thy maid is in thy
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hand.</I> Though she was his wife, he would
|
|
not countenance nor protect her in any thing
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that was disrespectful to Sarai, for whom he
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still retained the same affection that ever he
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had. Note, Those who would keep up peace
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and love must return soft answers to hard
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accusations. Husbands and wives particularly
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|
should agree, and endeavour not to be
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both angry together. <I>Yielding pacifies great
|
|
offenses.</I> See
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+15:1">Prov. xv. 1</A>.
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2. Sarai's passion
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will be revenged upon Hagar: <I>She dealt
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hardly with her,</I> not only confining her to her
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usual place and work as a servant, but probably
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making her to serve with rigour.
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Note, God takes notice of, and is displeased
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with, the hardships which harsh masters unreasonably
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put upon their servants. They
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ought to forbear threatening, with Job's
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|
thought, <I>Did not he that made me make him?</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+31:15">Job xxxi. 15</A>.
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3. Hagar's pride cannot bear
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it, her high spirit having become impatient of
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rebuke: <I>She fled from her face.</I> She not
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only avoided her wrath for the present, as
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David did Saul's, but she totally deserted
|
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her service, and ran away from the house,
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forgetting,
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(1.) What wrong she hereby did
|
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to her mistress, whose servant she was, and
|
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to her master, whose wife she was. Note,
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Pride will hardly be restrained by <I>any</I> bonds
|
|
of duty, no, not by <I>many.</I>
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(2.) That she
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herself had first given the provocation, by
|
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despising her mistress. Note, Those that
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|
suffer for their faults ought to bear their
|
|
sufferings patiently,
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+2:20">1 Pet. ii. 20</A>.</P>
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<A NAME="Ge16_7"> </A>
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|
<A NAME="Ge16_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ge16_9"> </A>
|
|
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>7 And the angel of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> found her
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by a fountain of water in the wilderness,
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by the fountain in the way
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to Shur.
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8 And he said, Hagar,
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Sarai's maid, whence camest thou?
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and whither wilt thou go? And she
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said, I flee from the face of my mistress
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Sarai.
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9 And the angel of the
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L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> said unto her, Return to thy
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mistress, and submit thyself under
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her hands.
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</FONT></P>
|
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<P>
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|
Here is the first mention we have in scripture
|
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of an angel's appearance. Hagar was a
|
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type of the law, which was <I>given by the disposition
|
|
of angels; but the world to come is not
|
|
put in subjection to them,</I>
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+2:5">Heb. ii. 5</A>.
|
|
Observe,</P>
|
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<P>
|
|
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|
I. How the angel arrested her in her flight,
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+16:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
|
|
It should seem, she was making towards
|
|
her own country; for she was in the
|
|
way to Shur, which lay towards Egypt. It
|
|
were well if our afflictions would make us
|
|
think of our home, the better country. But
|
|
Hagar was now out of her place, and out of
|
|
the way of her duty, and going further astray,
|
|
when the angel found her. Note,
|
|
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1. It is a
|
|
great mercy to be stopped in a sinful way
|
|
either by conscience or by Providence.
|
|
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|
2. God suffers those that are out of the way to
|
|
wander awhile, that when they see their folly,
|
|
and what a loss they have brought themselves
|
|
to, they may be the better disposed to return.
|
|
Hagar was not stopped till she was in the
|
|
wilderness, and had set down, weary enough,
|
|
and glad of clear water to refresh herself
|
|
with. God brings us into a wilderness, and
|
|
there meets us,
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+2:14">Hos. ii. 14</A>.</P>
|
|
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|
<P>
|
|
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|
II. How he examined her,
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+16:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
|
|
Observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. He called her <I>Hagar, Sarai's maid,</I>
|
|
|
|
(1.) As a check to her pride. Though she was
|
|
Abram's wife, and, as such, was obliged to
|
|
return, yet he calls her <I>Sarai's maid,</I> to humble
|
|
her. Note, Though civility teaches us
|
|
to call others by their highest titles, yet humility
|
|
and wisdom teach us to call ourselves
|
|
by the lowest.
|
|
|
|
(2.) As a rebuke to her
|
|
flight. Sarai's maid ought to be in Sarai's
|
|
tent, and not wandering in the wilderness
|
|
and sauntering by a fountain of water. Note,
|
|
It is good for us often to call to mind what
|
|
our place and relation are. See
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+10:4">Eccl. x. 4</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. The questions the angel put to her were
|
|
proper and very pertinent.
|
|
|
|
(1.) "<I>Whence
|
|
comest thou?</I> Consider that thou art running
|
|
away both from the duty thou wast
|
|
bound to and the privileges thou wast blessed
|
|
with in Abram's tent." Note, It is a great
|
|
advantage to live in a religious family, which
|
|
those ought to consider who have that advantage,
|
|
yet upon every slight inducement are
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Page108"> </A>
|
|
|
|
forward to quit it.
|
|
|
|
(2.) "<I>Whither wilt thou
|
|
go?</I> Thou art running thyself into sin, in
|
|
Egypt" (if she return to that people, she will
|
|
return to their gods), "and into danger, in
|
|
the wilderness," through which she must
|
|
travel,
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+8:15">Deut. viii. 15</A>.
|
|
Note, Those who are
|
|
forsaking God and their duty would do well
|
|
to remember not only <I>whence they have fallen,</I>
|
|
but <I>whither they are falling.</I> See
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+2:18">Jer. ii. 18</A>,
|
|
<I>What hast thou to do</I> (with Hagar) in the
|
|
way of Egypt?
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+6:68">John vi. 68</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. Her answer was honest, and a fair confession:
|
|
<I>I flee from the face of my mistress.</I>
|
|
In this,
|
|
|
|
(1.) She acknowledges her fault in
|
|
fleeing from her mistress, and yet,
|
|
|
|
(2.) Excuses it, that it was <I>from the face,</I> of displeasure,
|
|
of her mistress. Note, Children
|
|
and servants must be treated with mildness
|
|
and gentleness, lest we provoke them to take
|
|
any irregular courses and so become accessory
|
|
to their sins, which will condemn us,
|
|
though it will not justify them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. How he sent her back, with suitable
|
|
and compassionate counsel: "<I>Return to thy
|
|
mistress, and submit thyself under her hand,</I>
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+16:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
|
|
Go home, and humble thyself for
|
|
what thou hast done amiss, and beg pardon,
|
|
and resolve for the future to behave thyself
|
|
better." He makes no question but she
|
|
would be welcome, though it does not appear
|
|
that Abram sent after her. Note, Those that
|
|
have gone away from their place and duty,
|
|
when they are convinced of their error, must
|
|
hasten their return and reformation, how
|
|
mortifying soever it may be.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Ge16_10"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ge16_11"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ge16_12"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ge16_13"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ge16_14"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Promise Concerning Ishmael.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1911.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>10 And the angel of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>
|
|
said unto her, I will multiply thy seed
|
|
exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered
|
|
for multitude.
|
|
11 And the
|
|
angel of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> said unto her, Behold,
|
|
thou <I>art</I> with child, and shalt
|
|
bear a son, and shalt call his name
|
|
Ishmael; because the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> hath heard
|
|
thy affliction.
|
|
12 And he will be a
|
|
wild man; his hand <I>will be</I> against
|
|
every man, and every man's hand
|
|
against him; and he shall dwell in the
|
|
presence of all his brethren.
|
|
13 And
|
|
she called the name of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> that
|
|
spake unto her, Thou God seest me:
|
|
for she said, Have I also here looked
|
|
after him that seeth me?
|
|
14 Wherefore
|
|
the well was called Beer-lahai-roi;
|
|
behold, <I>it is</I> between Kadesh and
|
|
Bered.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We may suppose that the angel having
|
|
given Hagar that good counsel
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+16:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>)
|
|
to <I>return to her mistress</I> she immediately promised
|
|
to do so, and was setting her face
|
|
homeward; and then the angel went on to
|
|
encourage her with an assurance of the mercy
|
|
God had in store for her and her seed: for
|
|
God will meet those with mercy that are
|
|
returning to their duty. <I>I said, I will confess,
|
|
and thou forgavest,</I>
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+32:5">Ps. xxxii. 5</A>.
|
|
Here is,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. A prediction concerning her posterity
|
|
given her for her comfort in her present
|
|
distress. Notice is taken of her condition:
|
|
<I>Behold, thou art with child;</I> and therefore
|
|
this is not a fit place for thee to be in. Note,
|
|
It is a great comfort to women with child to
|
|
think that they are under the particular cognizance
|
|
and care of the divine Providence.
|
|
God graciously considers their case and suits
|
|
supports to it. Now,
|
|
|
|
1. The angel assures
|
|
her of a safe delivery, and that of a <I>son,</I> which
|
|
Abram desired. This fright and ramble of
|
|
hers might have destroyed her hope of an
|
|
offspring; but God dealt not with her
|
|
according to her folly: <I>Thou shalt bear a son.</I>
|
|
She was saved in child-bearing, not only
|
|
by providence, but by promise.
|
|
|
|
2. He
|
|
names her child, which was an honour both
|
|
to her and it: Call him <I>Ishmael, God will
|
|
hear;</I> and the reason is, because the Lord has
|
|
heard; he has, and therefore he will. Note,
|
|
The experience we have had of God's seasonable
|
|
kindness to us in distress would
|
|
encourage us to hope for similar help in
|
|
similar exigencies,
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+10:17">Ps. x. 17</A>.
|
|
He has <I>heard
|
|
thy affliction,</I>
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+16:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
|
|
Note, Even where
|
|
there is little cry of devotion, the God of
|
|
pity sometimes graciously hears the cry of
|
|
affliction. Tears speak as well as prayers.
|
|
This speaks comfort to the afflicted, that God
|
|
not only sees what their afflictions are, but
|
|
hears what they say. Note, further, Seasonable
|
|
succours, in a day of affliction, ought
|
|
always to be remembered with thankfulness
|
|
to God. Such a time, in such a strait, <I>the
|
|
Lord heard the voice of my affliction, and
|
|
helped me.</I> See
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+26:7,Ps+31:22">Deut. xxvi. 7; Ps. xxxi. 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
3. He promises her a numerous offspring,
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+16:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>):
|
|
<I>I will multiply thy seed exceedingly,</I>
|
|
Heb. <I>multiplying, I will multiply it,</I> that is,
|
|
multiply it in every age, so as to perpetuate
|
|
it. It is supposed that the Turks at this
|
|
day descend from Ishmael; and they are a
|
|
great people. This was in pursuance of the
|
|
promise made to Abram: <I>I will make thy seed
|
|
as the dust of the earth,</I>
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+13:16"><I>ch.</I> xiii. 16</A>.
|
|
Note,
|
|
Many that are children of godly parents have,
|
|
for their sakes, a very large share of outward
|
|
common blessings, though, like Ishmael,
|
|
they are not taken into covenant: many are
|
|
multiplied that are not sanctified.
|
|
|
|
4. He
|
|
gives a character of the child she should bear,
|
|
which, however it may seem to us, perhaps
|
|
was not very disagreeable to her
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+16:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>):
|
|
<I>He will be a wild man; a wild ass of a man</I> (so the
|
|
word is), rude, and bold, and fearing no
|
|
man--untamed, untractable living at large,
|
|
and impatient of service and restraint. Note,
|
|
The children of the bondwoman, who are
|
|
out of covenant with God, are, as they were
|
|
born, like the wild ass's colt; it is grace that
|
|
reclaims men, civilizes them, and makes
|
|
them wise, and good for something. It is
|
|
foretold,
|
|
|
|
(1.) That he should live in strife,
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Page109"> </A>
|
|
|
|
and in a state of war: <I>His hand against every
|
|
man</I>--this is his <I>sin; and every man's hand
|
|
against him</I>--this is his <I>punishment.</I> Note,
|
|
Those that have turbulent spirits have commonly
|
|
troublesome lives; those that are
|
|
provoking, vexatious, and injurious to others,
|
|
must expect to be repaid in their own coin.
|
|
He that has his hand and tongue against
|
|
every man shall have every man's hand and
|
|
tongue against him, and he has no reason to
|
|
complain of it. And yet,
|
|
|
|
(2.) That he should
|
|
live in safety, and hold his own against all
|
|
the world: <I>He shall dwell in the presence of
|
|
all his brethren;</I> though threatened and
|
|
insulted by all his neighbours, yet he shall
|
|
keep his ground, and for Abram's sake, more
|
|
than his own, shall be able to make his part
|
|
good with them. Accordingly we read
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+25:18"><I>ch.</I> xxv. 18</A>),
|
|
that he <I>died,</I> as he lived, <I>in the
|
|
presence of all his brethren.</I> Note, Many
|
|
that are much exposed by their own imprudence
|
|
are yet strangely preserved by the
|
|
divine Providence, so much better is God to
|
|
them than they deserve, when they not only
|
|
forfeit their lives by sin, but hazard them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. Hagar's pious reflection upon this gracious
|
|
appearance of God to her,
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+16:13,14"><I>v.</I> 13, 14</A>.
|
|
Observe in what she said,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. Her awful adoration of God's omniscience
|
|
and providence, with application of
|
|
it to herself: <I>She called the name of the Lord
|
|
that spoke unto her,</I> that is, thus she made
|
|
confession of his name, this she said to his
|
|
praise, <I>Thou God seest me:</I> this should be,
|
|
with her, his name for ever, and this his
|
|
memorial, by which she will know him and
|
|
remember him while she lives, <I>Thou God
|
|
seest me.</I> Note,
|
|
|
|
(1.) The God with whom
|
|
we have to do is a seeing God, and all-seeing
|
|
God. <I>God is</I> (as the ancients express it)
|
|
<I>all eye.</I>
|
|
|
|
(2.) We ought to acknowledge this
|
|
with application to ourselves. He that sees
|
|
all sees me, as David
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+139:1">Ps. cxxxix. 1</A>),
|
|
<I>O Lord,
|
|
thou hast searched me, and known me.</I>
|
|
|
|
(3.) A
|
|
believing regard to God, as a God that sees
|
|
us, will be of great use to us in our returns
|
|
to him. It is a proper word for a penitent:--
|
|
|
|
[1.] "Thou seest my sin and folly." I have
|
|
<I>sinned before thee,</I> says the prodigal; <I>in thy
|
|
sight,</I> says David.
|
|
|
|
[2.] "Thou seest my
|
|
sorrow and affliction;" this Hagar especially
|
|
refers to. When we have brought ourselves
|
|
into distress by our own folly, yet God has
|
|
not forsaken us.
|
|
|
|
[3.] "Thou seest the sincerity
|
|
and seriousness of my return and repentance.
|
|
Thou seest my secret mournings
|
|
for sin, and secret motions towards thee."
|
|
|
|
[4.] "Thou seest me, if in any instance I
|
|
depart from thee,"
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+44:20,21">Ps. xliv. 20, 21</A>.
|
|
This thought should always restrain us from sin
|
|
and excite us to duty: <I>Thou God seest me.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. Her humble admiration of God's favour
|
|
to her: "<I>Have I here also looked after him
|
|
that seeth me?</I> Have I here <I>seen the back
|
|
parts</I> of him that seeth me?" so it might be
|
|
read, for the word is much the same with
|
|
that,
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+33:23">Exod. xxxiii. 23</A>.
|
|
She saw not <I>face to
|
|
face,</I> but as <I>through a glass darkly,</I>
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+13:12">1 Cor. xiii. 12</A>.
|
|
Probably she knew not who it was
|
|
that talked with her, till he was departing (as
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+6:21,22,13:21">Judg. vi. 21, 22; xiii. 21</A>),
|
|
and then she
|
|
looked after him, with a reflection like that of
|
|
the two disciples,
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+24:31,32">Luke xxiv. 31, 32</A>.
|
|
Or, <I>Have I here seen him that sees me?</I> Note,
|
|
|
|
(1.) The communion which holy souls have
|
|
with God consists in their having an eye of
|
|
faith towards him, as a God that has an eye
|
|
of favour towards them. The intercourse is
|
|
kept up by the eye.
|
|
|
|
(2.) The privilege of
|
|
our communion with God is to be looked
|
|
upon with wonder and admiration,
|
|
|
|
[1.] Considering
|
|
what we are who are admitted to
|
|
this favour. "Have I? I that am so mean,
|
|
I that am so vile?"
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:18">2 Sam. vii. 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
[2.] Considering the place where we are thus
|
|
favoured--"<I>here</I> also? Not only in Abram's
|
|
tent and at his altar, but <I>here</I> also, in this
|
|
wilderness? Here, where I never expected
|
|
it, where I was out of the way of my duty?
|
|
<I>Lord, how is it?</I>"
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+14:22">John xiv. 22</A>.
|
|
Some make
|
|
the answer to this question to be negative,
|
|
and so look upon it as a penitent reflection:
|
|
"<I>Have I here also,</I> in my distress and affliction,
|
|
<I>looked after God?</I> No, I was a careless
|
|
and unmindful of him as ever I used to
|
|
be; and yet he has thus visited and regarded
|
|
me:" for God often anticipates us with his
|
|
favours, and is found of those that seek him
|
|
not,
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+65:1">Isa. lxv. 1</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. The name which this gave to the
|
|
place: <I>Beer-lahai-roi, The well of him that
|
|
liveth and seeth me,</I>
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+16:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
|
|
It is probable
|
|
that Hagar put this name upon it; and it
|
|
was retained long after, <I>in perpetuam rei memoriam--a
|
|
lasting memorial of this event.</I>
|
|
This was a place where the God of glory
|
|
manifested the special cognizance and care
|
|
he took of a poor woman in distress. Note,
|
|
|
|
1. He that is all-seeing is ever-living; he
|
|
lives and sees us.
|
|
|
|
2. Those that are graciously
|
|
admitted into communion with God,
|
|
and receive seasonable comforts from him,
|
|
should tell others what he has done for their
|
|
souls, that they also may be encouraged to
|
|
seek him and trust in him.
|
|
|
|
3. God's gracious
|
|
manifestations of himself to us are to
|
|
be had in everlasting remembrance by us,
|
|
and should never be forgotten.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Ge16_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ge16_16"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Birth of Ishmael.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1911.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>15 And Hagar bare Abram a son:
|
|
and Abram called his son's name,
|
|
which Hagar bare, Ishmael.
|
|
16 And
|
|
Abram <I>was</I> fourscore and six years old,
|
|
when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
It is here taken for granted, though not
|
|
expressly recorded, that Hagar did as the
|
|
angel commanded her, returning to her mistress
|
|
and submitting herself; and then, in
|
|
the fulness of time, she brought forth her
|
|
son. Note, Those who obey divine precepts
|
|
shall have the comfort of divine promises.
|
|
This was the son of the bond-woman that
|
|
was <I>born after the flesh</I>
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+4:23">Gal. iv. 23</A>),
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Page110"> </A>
|
|
|
|
representing the unbelieving Jews,
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+4:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>.
|
|
Note,
|
|
|
|
1. Many who can call Abraham father are
|
|
yet <I>born after the flesh,</I>
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+3:9">Matt. iii. 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
2. The
|
|
carnal seed in the church are sooner brought
|
|
forth than the spiritual. It is an easier thing
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to persuade men to assume the form of godliness
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than to submit to the power of godliness.</P>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1706)
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