role reversal-2

Vs 4 He slept with Hagar, and she conceived.

   When she knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress. 5 Then Sarai said to Abram, “You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering. I put my slave in your arms, and now that she knows she is pregnant, she despises me. May the LORD judge between you and me.”

Role reversal in a marriage will only lead to more problems.  The result of their little plan was that Hagar began to hate Sarai once she became pregnant.  Now it doesn't say exactly why, but I imagine knowing that the only reason your mistress gave you to her husband was so you could give them a baby might lead to a little bit of bitterness. Sarai blamed Abram.  Goes to show you, taking the lead role over your Godly husband, though it may seem like a solution, will only result in a loss of respect.  Sarai blamed abram and wanted him to find a solution.  Instead of taking control, Abram continued to allow Sarai to rule the roost by telling her to do whatever she wanted to Hagar. “Your slave is in your hands,” Abram said. “Do with her whatever you think best.” Then Sarai mistreated Hagar; so she fled from her.You can see though that he didn't consider Hagar a wife. Shows his heart was sinful even though from the outside the marriage to Hagar was legit.  Sarai, once again, took matters into her own hands, with out submission to God , and was mean to Hagar.  That Goes to show you, not seeking God, and not submitting to your husband, will result in a loss of leadership and make you miserable.  Sarai was unhappy and was lashing out against God, Abram and Hagar.  Again they both missed an opportunity to repent and ask God to help them leading them to make the wrong decisions. 

There is beauty in the rest of this story leading up to the result of their sin: the birth of Ishmael.  Hagar's meeting with God...to be continued