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Abram has a child by sleeping with his Egyptian servant Hagar. An interesting and unusual story. Now let’s talk about something rather unique about the way the New Testament deals with this story. I’d like to try and close out chapter 16 of Genesis today and I want to call upon the Apostle Paul to help explain what it means. In Galatians chapter 4 Paul allegorizes this passage of scripture. That’s a very unusual and strange thing for Paul to do. Let me explain what that means because this is very important. 

One method of Biblical interpretation is often referred to is the literal method of interpretation It says you always take the Bible at face value and if it says Sarah, it means Sarah if it says Hagar, it means Hagar. These people actually lived, and they did what this chapter says that's the did. That is the literal interpretation of scripture and that's it right and proper and that should always be the first point of call for all Christians.

But on certain occasions scripture can also be interpreted other ways. The allegorical method of interpretation is when someone says this may not be historical but the people in this story represents something else other than historical people. There are people who allegorize the scriptures so much that they destroy the plain meaning of what the text says. The last thing you would want to do is come to the scripture and make it the mean something it doesn't and make it mean something that's not historical. Many are all shocked when in Galatians 4 that is what Paul does with this passage. He says Hagar represents the Mosaic covenant and Ishmael is the fruit of legalism which is slavery. He also says Sarai represents the Abrahamic covenant and Isaac who will be introduced to later as the fruit of that covenant representing those who are born free of the law and flourishes under grace. He also says that the children of the flesh will persecute the children of the promise  

That Paul’s allegory in Galatians chapter 4. Every other time Paul refers to the Old Testament he takes it literally he does not allegorize it at all anywhere else, except this passage in Galatians 4. The other thing I would say is this Paul does not say is an allegory. The Greek phrase should be translated ‘this passage being allegorized. So, he didn't say the passage is an allegory, he says in order to get this point across to the thick-headed people in the church in Galatia he is writing too he is going to allegorize it to make a point. He's using a recognized technique of his day as a method to refute the argument of Judiazers who were influencing the Galatian church. Some people misunderstand this passage by over analyzing the symbolic aspect of it, but Paul is not saying it is primarily an allegory, he is saying he is allegorizing it to make a point. 

OK now let me go back to Genesis chapter 16. 

The story begins with Sarah being barren and how she took matters into her own hands which didn't solve a thing it only cause complications and conflict. The story ends with Sarah still barren, so her great idea didn't solve the problem, and the relationship between Sarah and Hagar is not resolved even at the end of this chapter. What a mess. 

I believe the spiritual principle here is this, resorting to worldly solutions rather than waiting on God to provide answers always creates problems. This story shows that human failure creates a mess, but the story also illustrates that human failure will not frustrate God’s plan.  God said I'm going to use these children for my purposes As a result of Sarah's idea Ishmael gave birth to the Arabs nations and just as God predicted the Arabs have been in conflict with the Jews ever since.

What a mess all because one couple did not trust the Lord and wait until the Lord fulfilled the promise like he said he would do. One of the great lessons here is don't take situations into your own hands and think you're going to solve it. Wait on the Lord and let him solve the problem. In contrast Hagar of all people called on the Lord which is what Sarai should have done in the first place. When we call on the Lord here's our plea sees our plight cares about our person. God cares about you and He hears our prayers and he sees the situation we are in, even when it's not our fault, but also when it's partly our fault, even when it completely our fault. Given that you and I are sinful humans beings and there might be a catastrophe right around the corner or a tragedy of life may strikes at any time the question is what can you do you fortify yourself against that sort of thing.  Remember, the Lord knows, the Lord the lord sees, and the Lord cares.

I want you to do is leave chapter 16 knowing the Lord knows more about your situation than you do, and he cares about it more than you do. God is going to work out his purposes even in the midst of any mess you might find yourself in. Remember the Lord sees, the Lord hears, the Lord cares and the Lord at the right time will intervene to bring about his plan and purpose in your life, and that is the message of this chapter.