Faith, Flesh & Promise: The Real Lives of Abraham, Sarah & Hagar
We know them as giants of faith. But they weren’t flawless heroes. They were deeply human—just like us. This 4-part series retells the story of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar in modern, honest words. It’s a story of jealousy, scandal, waiting, temptation—and unbreakable divine promise. Because their drama is our story too. Join us as we explore faith, flesh, and promise in all its messy, beautiful truth.
Read the series: Part 1: Sarah | Part 2: Abraham | Part 3: Hagar | Part 4: The Gossip Circle
Hagar Speaks: “I Was the Maid. I Became the Mother. I Was Cast Out.”
Hagar, an Egyptian servant, shares her side of the ancient scandal that shook Abraham’s household—and the divine encounter that changed her life.
The Loyal Servant
Reporter: You were Sarah’s maid. How did it start?
Hagar: “I respected Sarah deeply and admired Abraham. He was wealthy and widely respected. Sarah was beautiful—much older than I was—but I served them both loyally. When Sarah asked me to bear a child on her behalf, I didn’t refuse. I felt honored that she would choose me—an Egyptian servant—for such a role. I had seen how badly she wanted a child and was willing to do anything to make it happen.”
Becoming the Surrogate
Reporter: Why did you go along with it?
Hagar: “Truthfully, I didn’t have a say. What Sarah decided, I had to accept. But I also felt chosen. Carrying the master’s child elevated me. Suddenly, I mattered. People started treating me differently—checking in on my health, fussing over me. Abraham gave me special attention. He and Sarah made sure I had everything I needed. For a moment, I felt like more than just a servant.”
The Shift
Reporter: People say you mocked Sarah.
Hagar: “I let pride creep in. The attention went to my head. People around me whispered that Abraham favored me more than Sarah. They pointed out the gifts, the kindness, the way he looked at me. I began to believe it. I saw myself not just as a servant—but as the mother of the heir. And in my pride, I looked down on Sarah. I forgot my place. It poisoned our relationship.”
The Dip
Reporter: Sarah treated you harshly. You ran away.
Hagar: “Yes. I was pregnant and alone in the wilderness. I felt humiliated, abandoned. One moment I was being pampered, and the next—I was cast away. I was angry. I was bitter. But in my brokenness, I cried out to the God of Abraham. That’s when the angel found me.”
Reporter: What did he say?
Hagar: “‘Return and submit to your mistress. I will multiply your descendants.’ God saw me. He called me by name. No one had ever seen me like that before. That moment changed everything. I knew then that I wasn’t invisible to Him.”
Cast Out Again
Reporter: But later, you were sent away again?
Hagar: “Yes. When Isaac was born, Sarah didn’t want Ishmael around him. She said her son was the heir of promise. But Ishmael is the true firstborn. I’ll never stop saying that. The tension between the mothers spilled over to the children. Every mother wants the best for her child—I was no different. The atmosphere in the home became toxic. Abraham was torn, but in the end, he sent me away. I truly thought we would die in the desert. But God heard my son’s cry… and He saved us. I will always be grateful.”
Lessons Learned
Hagar: “God sees the forgotten. He hears the cries of the cast-out. Even when people fail you, God doesn’t.”
“El Roi, You are the God who sees me.” (Genesis 16:13)
Epilogue – Why We Tell These Stories
This isn’t just ancient gossip. It’s our story too. Waiting tests us. Doubt tempts us. Pride ruins us. But grace can redeem us. Faith, Flesh & Promise isn’t about perfect heroes. It’s about a perfect God who keeps His word—even to imperfect people like us.
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