This passage is known by many and often elicits strong feelings from lots of people, the truth of the matter is Abram and Sarai (their names had not been changed by God yet) were desperate for an heir (an answer to their problem). Sarai was looking for a resolution by adopting a common practice in their society in those days, giving the maid servant to the husband for children. In fact, this was a practice that Rachel (Abraham's granddaughter-in-law) practiced when she couldn't have children. Oftentimes these children would be the property or dedicated to the maid or slave owner and they would be treated as their own children (prehistoric adoption if you will). In Sarai's mind this is what would take place with the child of Hagar.
After reading this passage several times in the past, this particular time something stood out to me... the number 10, as in the years Abram had lived in Canaan when Sarai decided to take matters into her own hand. The number 10 is significant because it is the number of testing. It is God's number to use and see if what He has pronounced over your life has taken any effect. In Abram's case, this was the 10th year of living in the land of promise God had given him, but still Abram saw no fruit of the promise God had given to him 10 years before (sure he was wealthy but he wanted the promise of an heir). However, it wasn't Abram who acted on the impatience it was Sarai.
What ensues may be misconstrued to have people think that the result was Sarai's punishment. I don't think so. I think that when Hagar gives birth to Ishmael, Sarai recognized that her methods were not the solution to the problem she had. I tweeted the other day that, "exceptional people have exceptional problems, but recognize that the exceptional solution is not them."I believe that part of Sarai and Abram's exceptional quality was recognizing their mistake and believing for a greater solution to their promise. (Side note: if your test comes and you're tempted to use the best methods of society at the time... don't... you'll save yourself angst in the future.)
My purpose for all who may read this is not to condemn you for your mistakes in anyway. I hope that if you find yourself in the midst of the test, I would urge you to not respond the way you feel best. That is not an exceptional quality, recognizing that you can't solve it on your own...is.
