BibleProject | One Story: Foundations of the Bibleනියැදිය

In today’s video, we’ll notice an emerging pattern. Despite God choosing Abram and his family to bless the world, they make selfish and fearful decisions that threaten to derail their own lives and God’s rescue plan. But God remains faithful to rescue and bless them anyway.

Today’s story is a good example of this pattern. God promises to provide a child for Abram and Sarai (later called Sarah)—a child that Sarai will bear herself. But years of infertility erode their patience, and eventually, they stop trusting God’s promise. Like Adam and Eve, they do what’s right in their own eyes. They take their enslaved Egyptian girl, Hagar, abuse her by forcing her to bear Abram’s child, and then oppress her once she becomes pregnant.

Despite Abram’s lack of faith and treatment of Hagar, God remains faithful to his promise. God comforts and provides for Hagar, and he reaffirms his commitment to Abram with a formal covenant and a new name: Abraham. Even as imperfect humans struggle to trust him, God keeps his promises.

Reflection questions:

• How do you see God caring for Hagar, the enslaved Egyptian girl, in today’s reading? What does this story reveal about God’s concern for the outsider?
• Compare God’s speeches to Abraham in Genesis 15 and 17 with his first speech in Genesis 12:1-3. What common themes do you notice? How does Abraham respond?