OT Notes Hagar-Gen. 21

I stand in awe at Israel's willingness to look at human nature. Slave sin Egypt, they have their patriarch be a slaveholder of Egyptians. In Egypt, their young were threatened, but Sarah does the same.I continue to like Gerald Janzen's psychologically astute small commentary, Abraham and all the Families of the Earth. 

Consider deeply the level of hatred of Sarah. What kind of person would try to kill Hagar and her child, twice.the word used to describe Sarah's treatment of Hagar is the same to describe Egyptian slavery after Joseph.Note well that the aqedah follows directly from this story.

Of course we get a bit of origin account here. Still, Arabs and Jews are shown to come from the same patriarch, so that President Carter could write a book on children of Abraham.This places familial rivalry at the heart of national politics.

this story is an invitation to do family systems work in a sermon or study as well. This could then extend to some of the good work done on church systems by say, Richardson. I find Friedman very hard to read. I also find systems stronger on diagnosis than on helping make the system healthier.

One could consider doing a more monologue style piece form Hagar ( an Egy;tian name, or possibly flight, in Hebrew) or Ishmael's pt. of view.Her needing to be far enough away to avoid looking into the yees of a dying son is high narrative art.

Sarah sees Ishmael laughing at, with, or making Isaac laugh. it is a play on his name, laughter, but could be read in a variety of ways. In a similar way god hears the cry and Ishmael's name may well have reference to being heard by God.

Again, we get the great phrase do not be afraid.