2024_01_12 Insight Post- Mario Colorado
This week’s reading- Genesis 16, Genesis 21:8-17, Genesis 25:12, Galatians 4:24-25
I can’t even count how many times I have tried to get in front of God, thinking I can do what He has planned without consulting or asking if that is His will. I believe this is the case with Sarai in Genesis 16. So often in my life, I have asked God to bless my “big ideas” (Rusty-ism) after having already put the plan into action. Even worse, praying for Him to bail me out when my plans go sideways. Proverbs 16:9 says, “In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” (NIV)
Interestingly, Sarai’s decision to allow Abram to be with Hagar is still practiced today. It’s making a big comeback in our modern culture. It’s often called “being in an open relationship or an open marriage.” We don’t have to look very far to see how celebrities and others have failed spectacularly with this flawed perspective. Jesus is very clear about marriage, “For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Matthew 19:5-6 NIV. Viewing marriage from a God-centered perspective allows us to hold the institution with the reverence it deserves. It doesn’t make it easier to navigate when problems arise in marriage, but it does allow us to lean on God’s guidance.
The narrative switches to Hagar when she decides to flee after Sarai treats her harshly. We don’t have many details on how this ancient “open relationship” played out, but we do know that Hagar treated Sarai with contempt after learning she was pregnant. Sarai’s harsh treatment drives Hagar away. When the angel of the Lord appears to Hagar, there is comfort in his words and the promise of many descendants after directing her to return and submit to Sarai. This part of the story reminds me of Jesus’ words, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” Luke 9:23 NIV. The point of all of this is that marriage is hard work – we all know that. Some marriages are in a season where it is a cross to bear. Elements of culture would have us believe that our marriages should be like fairytales. If not, bail out and find someone better because we all deserve that. However, Jesus wants us to play the long game. That means not conforming to the world’s ways and doing marriage His way.
Mario Colorado
Small Group Leader and Seminary Student