The story of Sarah and Hagar is a picture of two totally different approaches to love and fulfilment, and how to trust God rather than relying on our own ideas and abilities. God had promised Abraham that he would have a son, but his wife Sarah could not bear children. Sarah, perhaps seeing her husband’s unhappiness, suggested that he should sleep with her slave, Hagar, and Ishmael was born (Genesis 16:1-4). Although he grew up in Abraham’s household, Ishmael, would not be the heir (Genesis 17:15-19) because God had promised to give a son to Abraham and Sarah. When God’s promise was fin