In the biblical narrative, the relationship between Sarah and Hagar provides a poignant example of an unjust master-servant dynamic. Sarah, originally named Sarai, was the wife of Abraham, the patriarch of the Israelites. Hagar was an Egyptian maidservant to Sarah, and her account is primarily found in the Book of Genesis.

Background and Context

The account of Sarah and Hagar is set against the backdrop of God's covenant with Abraham. Despite God's promise that Abraham would be the father of many nations, Sarah remained barren. In an attempt to fulfill God's promise through human means, Sarah gave Hagar to Abraham as a concubine, hoping to obtain children through her. This practice, though culturally acceptable at the time, set the stage for conflict and mistreatment.

The Unjust Treatment

The tension between Sarah and Hagar is first evident in Genesis 16. After Hagar conceived, she began to despise Sarah, which led to Sarah's harsh treatment of her. Genesis 16:6 states, "Your servant is in your hands," Abram said. "Do whatever you want to her." Then Sarai mistreated Hagar, so she fled from her."

Sarah's actions towards Hagar can be seen as unjust for several reasons. Firstly, Hagar was placed in a vulnerable position, having no say in becoming Abraham's concubine. Secondly, Sarah's harsh treatment of Hagar after she became pregnant reflects a misuse of power and authority. The Hebrew word used for "mistreated" suggests affliction or oppression, indicating that Sarah's actions were severe enough to cause Hagar to flee into the wilderness.

Divine Intervention and Hagar's Return

In the wilderness, Hagar encountered the Angel of the LORD, who instructed her to return to Sarah and submit to her authority, promising that her descendants would be too numerous to count (Genesis 16:9-10). This divine encounter highlights God's awareness of Hagar's plight and His intention to bless her despite the injustice she faced.

Further Conflict and Resolution

The tension between Sarah and Hagar resurfaced after the birth of Isaac, Sarah's son. In Genesis 21, Sarah saw Ishmael, Hagar's son, mocking Isaac, which led her to demand that Abraham send Hagar and Ishmael away. Genesis 21:10 records Sarah's words: "Drive out this slave woman and her son, for the son of this slave woman will never be a co-heir with my son Isaac!"

Abraham was distressed by this demand, but God instructed him to listen to Sarah, assuring him that Ishmael would also become a great nation (Genesis 21:12-13). Hagar and Ishmael were sent away, but God provided for them in the wilderness, reaffirming His promise to Hagar.

Theological Implications

The account of Sarah and Hagar serves as a complex narrative that illustrates the consequences of human attempts to fulfill divine promises through unjust means. It highlights the moral and ethical challenges faced by individuals in positions of power and the potential for misuse of authority. Despite the injustice, God's faithfulness to His promises is evident, as He cares for Hagar and ensures a future for her and her son.

This account also foreshadows the broader biblical theme of God's concern for the marginalized and oppressed, demonstrating that His plans transcend human failings and societal norms.Genesis 16:6
But Abram said to Sarai, Behold, your maid is in your hand; do to her as it pleases you. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face.
Nave's Topical Index

The Allegories of Sarah and Hagar
... And when Sarah was rather fierce, as she must have been that ... father far more than
the legalist does his master; but still ... Do you complain of that as unjust? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the allegories of sarah and.htm

Letter Xciii. (AD 408. )
... on the just and on the unjust." [2147] But ... her son suffered great hardships from
Sarah, nevertheless the ... body, and Judas delivered up his Master, wherefore is ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter xciii a d 408.htm

Sunday Before Lent
... and schismatics, and why every man would master and outrank ... Galatians 4, 24-31) he
makes Sarah and Hagar ... failing in all men, however weak, unjust or foolish ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/sunday before lent.htm

On the Baptism of Christ.
... from her master's house by the anger of Sarah"for a ... as to secure a bride for his
master, and finds ... act of amends and repentance for those unjust bonds which ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/on the baptism of christ.htm

Consecration to God --Illustrated by Abraham's Circumcision
... wait, to see the fulfilment of the Master's promises." Now ... Abraham, and his wife
is no longer Sarai, but Sarah. ... are no longer called sinners and unjust, but we ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 14 1868/consecration to godillustrated by abrahams.htm

Adoption --The Spirit and the Cry
... laid to his charge, he is reckoned as unjust and unrighteous ... The child of Hagar was
found by Sarah mocking Isaac ... is truly a child's word, and our Master felt, I ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 24 1878/adoptionthe spirit and the cry.htm

Dialogue iii. --The Impassible.
... of the goodness; and that He that is just should never become unjust, nor He that ...
[1470] Hagar is called a type of the old covenant; Sarah is likened to ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/dialogue iii the impassible.htm

Faustus States his Objections to the Morality of the Law and the ...
... so any one quoting the example of Abraham begetting a son from Hagar, in defence ...
If the appetites go beyond this, and carry the man, no longer master of himself ...
/.../faustus states his objections to.htm

Who was Onesimus in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to be a servant of Christ? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of the Parable of the Great Banquet (Luke 14:15-24)? | GotQuestions.org

Master: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus