It is interesting how the lesson speaks about trouble in the home solely from the side of Sarah. Here is Hagar, a slave, whose body was used by Sarah and Abraham for the sole purpose of getting a son. And then, according to the scriptures, Hagar mocked Sarah (Gen 21:9).
Usually when we read these text we emphasize that the problem of disbelief can cause many problems for us. And that is true. This story demonstrates that the wrong decision can cause much strife for many years.
However, we cannot be so quick to put down Hagar and glorify Sarah as the "innocent" party. Both found themselves in a situation where society and the promise of God suggested that having this son would be of the greatest importance. No doubt Hagar had heard the story of the promise from Abraham and Sarah. And here is a slave seeing the possibility of a better life for one of her offspring. Could her child be that one of promise?
Our story reminds us that lack of faith in God can result in humanity taking advantage of others. It can also cause us to bring others into our own scheme that can only end up in pain and heartache for Sarah and Hagar and ultimately Abraham.
The story reminds us...that lack of faith in God...and lack of walking in the way of duty can end up with many hurt people. Even if our reason for going down the path we are on is to "fulfill the promise of God."
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