What does EGW write about...
Adventistische Schriften über: "Why was Abraham allowed to sleep with Hagar? Wasn't that adultery or fornication?"
Answer
Although Abraham took Hagar as a secondary wife at Sarah's request, the scriptures still regarded this as a lack of faith and a violation of God's law. Polygamy was indeed widespread at the time and was hardly regarded as a sin by society, yet it violated the holiness and peace of marriage intended by God. Sarah remained Abraham's only true wife, and the relationship with Hagar brought misfortune over the entire household.
The Violation of God's Law
Polygamy was so widespread that it was no longer regarded as a sin, but it was still a violation of God's law and was fatal to the holiness and peace of family relationships. Abraham's marriage with Hagar led to evil, not only for his own household but for future generations.
If God had approved polygamy, He would not have instructed Abraham to send Hagar and her son away. He wanted to give everyone a lesson that the rights and happiness of the marital relationship must always be respected and protected, even under great sacrifices. Sarah was the first and only true wife of Abraham.
By listening to Sarah's voice and taking Hagar as his wife, Abraham failed to pass the test of his faith in God's unlimited power, and brought much misfortune upon himself and Sarah.
Both Abraham and Sarah mistrusted God's power, and it was this error that led to the marriage with Hagar.
Abraham's wife proposed an unwise plan to accelerate the fulfillment of the promise; but after Isaac was born, a true son of Abraham and Sarah, his rightful wife, the Lord said concerning Ishmael and his mother Hagar: “Drive out this slave woman and her son.”
He [Abraham] showed mistrust toward God by concealing the fact that Sarah was his wife, and again by his marriage with Hagar. So that he could reach the highest standard, God subjected him to another test, the hardest that any person was ever called to endure.
- Abraham and Hagar Unbelief
- Holiness of Marriage Ellen White
- Consequences of Polygamy Bible
Original Sources (English)
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