14: Sarah & Hagar

Have you ever wondered how the ancient narratives of Sarah and Hagar could influence our understanding of faith, women's struggles, and divine promises?  Our conversation today ventures beyond the surface to examine the cultural dimensions of their time, particularly the poignant decision of Sarah to offer her servant Hagar to Abraham—a choice with resounding effects on the unfolding of biblical history. We navigate through the subtleties of these stories, touching on themes of agency, adaptability, and the surprising ways God's provisions emerge from human imperfections. 

 As we move through the intricacies of Scripture, we encounter the theme of barrenness and God's steadfast commitment as seen in the lives of the Old Testament matriarchs. The transformation from Sarah's skepticism to overwhelming joy mirrors the depth of God's engagement with His people. Hagar's powerful encounter with the divine, resulting in her naming God El-Roi, "the God who sees," reveals an empowering narrative that resonates across generations. These stories showcase the breadth of God's relational dynamics with humanity. 

Topics Discussed: 

• The stories of Sarah and Hagar are intricately woven into the larger narrative of God's covenant with Abraham, highlighting the women's struggles and agency. 
• Cultural practices of the time, such as a wife offering her servant to bear a child for her husband, are discussed, with an emphasis on the complexities of these decisions. 
• Sarah and Hagar's narratives illustrate God's adaptability and provision in response to human choices and the consequences of taking matters into one's own hands. 
• The theme of barrenness in the Old Testament is explored, along with God's pattern of working through human limitations and weaknesses. 
• Hagar's encounter with the angel of the Lord demonstrates the importance of being seen and named by the Divine, as well as her empowerment in naming God.
• The significance of names in the Hebrew Bible is discussed, especially Hagar's status as the first person to name God and the implications of this act. 
• Hagar's narrative is compared to divine promises made to other biblical figures, highlighting her role as an ancestor of nations and her empowerment as an outsider.
• The episode discusses the tension between the chosen lineage and those outside of it, reflecting on God's relational dynamic with humanity.
• The broader themes of liberation and womanist theology and how Hagar serves as a symbol of empowerment for the marginalized.
• The narrative's attention to both Isaac and Ishmael underscores God's care for all descendants, not just those within the chosen lineage.
   

Quotes: 

“We've used this image before of a tapestry, and what I see in this story is God perhaps weaving in threads that maybe were not part of the initial design but incorporating them into this pattern that we have become.” –Hannah DeSouza  

“So whenever we see in Hebrew narrative a specific name, it shows respect and honor, and there's a lot of times when someone's referred to and their name is not used – their proper name – and it actually communicates a distance or a contempt or a lack of an emotional connection.” Dr. David Pocta 

“I think God likes to use impossible situations and kind of insert himself to show the miraculous nature of all, the miraculous way in which he works.” –Hannah DeSouza 

Links: 

Dr. David Pocta 

Hannah DeSouza 

Slideshow