Why didn't Abraham say No to Sarah???

[eric]

Why didn't abraham say no? Like EricH intimated. it was the same reason that adam ate from the wrong tree. It was all part of God's plan for the salvation of mankind and reconcilling man back to Him....... Your ways are not my ways.... etc. etc.

[Matthitjah]

Grace to you,

Abraham simply failed to believe Gods promise because it was so long in coming. He forced the issue by moving in his own power and not humbly Trusting God.

Polygamy may have been common practice. However God did not condone it neither will you find anywhere where it is Gods perfect will for mankind. Look at the Fruit it has borne for the men who practiced it.

Peace,

Dave

[Floatingaxe]

The reason why Abraham didn't say no is because he also was impatient waiting for Sarah to conceive and they took matters into their own hands, not holding to the promise of God. Simple, don't you think? So many of us are guilty of the same thing in many areas of life.

[Leonard]

C'mon! Why can't we just admit that Abraham was a human male? The plucky old goat saw a well-turned young ankle, had his wife's permission, and probably gave the 'eternal Homer yelp:' WOO-HOO!!

Having either more than one wife, or holding concubines was common for very wealthy men in that time.

[Candi770]

I don't remember God condemning Abraham for taking Hagar- polygamy was a common practice then.

They weren't married- she was a handmaid (slave) no marriage. I don't think he was condemned but not waiting on the Lord and getting out ahead of him was not a good choice- one that is still being dealt with today.

[Matthitjah]

Grace to you,

Our God is a God of Impossibilities. A God of complete miracles.

Everything that was happening to Abraham and then Sarah was Gods will.

He was provident and still is.

This great man of Faith and his wife were experiencing the nature of the God of all Creation, by Faith.

Sarai was barren from the moment Abraham met her. It was all part of Gods plan;

Ge

[Candi770]

I think the problem was not when Abraham copulated and bore a son through Hagar- but when Sarah said to Abraham to "get rid of that slave woman and her son,"

Gen. 21:17 "God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, "What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation."

20 "God was with the boy as he grew up"

So God had a plan for this "great nation" and for Ishmael whom he could have let die in the desert-

God still has a plan. A perfect plan that will not fail. For He is sovereign and king. Omniscient and wise.

According to the bible:

The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son. But God said to him, "Do not be so distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned. I will make the son of the maidservant into a nation also, because he is your offspring Genesis 21:11-13

The wrongness was getting ahead of God and this is what The angel of the Lord said to Hagar: When preginant:

The angel of the Lord also said to her: "You are now with child and you will have a son. You shall name him Ishmael, for the Lord has heard of your misery. He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone's hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward al his brothers."

Sarah was wrong in the first place and it lead to this sad situation, but in the end this child became a nation of people who have always strived against the Jews, of the firstborn of Sarah/Abraham.

[Candi770]

I don't remember God condemning Abraham for taking Hagar- polygamy was a common practice then.

They weren't married- she was a handmaid (slave) no marriage. I don't think he was condemned but not waiting on the Lord and getting out ahead of him was not a good choice- one that is still being dealt with today.

Actually, they were married. It says in Genesis 16:3 "And Sarai, Abraham's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram TO BE HIS WIFE." Sometimes the word wife and concubine were used interchangeably, but Hagar became Abraham's wife before he went in unto her.

Also, in a way, I believe that what occured was God's will. I just cannot believe that he didn't have any control over the situation. God had to know that Abraham would get tired of waiting on Sarah to conceive. He is all knowing and therefore knew he would take Hagar for a wife. In addition, I believe that every child that is conceived is by the will of the Lord. That is not to say that God is always happy with the situation that brings about conception, especially when it comes to the many children being born out of wedlock today, but the children all have a purpose.

That's true, this whole story is awesome, Thanks CSLEWIS and Butero for pointing that out. So the baby was not considered conceived in sin. But getting out ahead of God is not a good thing

[Candi770]

Grace to you,

Abraham simply failed to believe Gods promise because it was so long in coming. He forced the issue by moving in his own power and not humbly Trusting God.

Polygamy may have been common practice. However God did not condone it neither will you find anywhere where it is Gods perfect will for mankind. Look at the Fruit it has borne for the men who practiced it.

Peace,

Dave

This story right here is proof it is not a great thing. 2 women in one household-shew you are bound to have a major problem!