Abram said, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand— i.e.. in thy power, ch. Genesis 24:10. Genesis 39:4.
REFLECTIONS.—We have here,
1. Hagar's insolence. No sooner with child, than she forgets her station, and begins, in conceit perhaps of the promised seed, to usurp over the mistress of the family.
2. Sarai's ill-humour: as jealous of her husband, as angry with her maid. Though Abram appears to have been quite blameless, respecting Hagar's pride, she lays the blame at his door, and then appeals to God for judgment. Note; (1.) A person who is angry with himself, generally gives vent to his anger by abusing the innocent. (2.) Nothing is more common, than to quarrel with others for doing what we desired, when the issue happens to fall out otherwise than we designed. (3.) They who take God's name in their mouth in anger, are almost sure to take it in vain. (4.) A person in a passion is always in the wrong, whatever cause may be given him for it.
3. Abram's peaceable answer. Though Hagar was now in some sense his wife, yet he remits her to her mistress Sarai, to know her station, and learn obedience. Note; (1.) Nothing is like a peaceable answer to turn away wrath. (2.) Better yield sometimes even to an unreasonable request of a wife, than by an unseasonable opposition give ground for debate. (3.) Nothing is so fit for proud hearts, as to be degraded, and made to know their place.
4. Sarai's severity to Hagar. When pride and jealousy unite with power, woe to the poor sufferer!
5. Hagar's flight. It was her duty to submit, as it was Sarai's to have treated her mildly: but both were wrong, and therefore both perverse. Note; (1.) They who suffer for their faults, have a double obligation to take the punishment patiently. (2.) To fly from our cross is usually not only the way to sin but suffering.