Why did Father Abraham get to have sex with his wifes maid?

Question

Since Abrahams Wife could not have children she offered up her maid to father his children right? And if so why did God reward such behavior? It does not seem very moral to me.

So Basically from the responses I am getting it was socially acceptable back then. There are many things that are socially acceptable today that go agains the 10 commandments does that mean God still rewards immoral behavior? Or did he only reward adultery in the Old Testament and then changed his mind when he felt like it?

Answer 1

cuz dude could do other women if the wife gave them eprmission. God was pretty angry though. keep readin

Answer 2

Well, I am probably going to invite flame with this answer but what the hey?

Abraham got to do that because Sarah let him and suggested it was the thing to do, because:
a) to not continue the family line through a son those days was dishonorable.
b) multiple wives were pretty common in those days
c) God promised them a son, Sarah couldn't have one, seemed logical.
Moral or no, it was socially acceptable. And ironically, Sarah seriously regretted the decision later.

Did God reward such behaviour? Well, let's look at it this way:

Hagar could naturally conceive so a baby came out anyway because that's what they were trying. Ishmael was naturally blessed because GOD KEEPS TO HIS WORD! When He told Abraham his descendants will be blessed, He couldn't leave Ishmael out.

However, because of what happened, (Check what God said Ishmael would be...) there was a conflict in the family which eventually let to a serious split. The descendants of Ishmael (Arabs) and Isaac (Jews) generally aren't the best of friends today. Yes, there are many factors but again, consider that's it's rather ironic how things turned out.

Unnecessary global problems and unrest in the Middle East is partly because of this, bitterness and sibling rivalry amplified that continued down through the generations. It's sad really...
(I personally find it interesting that an entire war involving so many countries is centred on Israel when there's so much land elsewhere. Why is that? Religious motivations aside of course.)

What that means for those of us who believe in God is that TIMING and faith is of paramount importance. For the love of God, let God be God, let Him work things out and don't try to do His job. It'll lead to unnecessary problems.

Answer 3

When reading the bible, you have to understand the setting and the context like when, where and whom was the topic all about.

Genesis 16 describes why God let this happen. An angel of the Lord appeared to Hagar announcing that she is pregnant and that she SHOULD bear the child and name him Ishmael.

This is an account for the life of Abraham, Sarah and Hagar (Egyptian maid) which what we call now as destiny. A fate for the twelve tribes of Israel to be complete that in turn will pave the way for the birth of Jesus Christ.

Answer 4

He rewarded it with the natural consequences that happen when we don't wait on God and try to work things out ourselves.

Sarah told Abraham to give her a child through her maid, Haggar. A common practice among heathens. He did. Ishmael was born. Then, Sarah finally did get pregnant with a child. Issac. When she did, she didn't want Haggar and Ishmael around anymore.

She made Abraham send them away.

It was tragic. Poor Haggar, who had come to believe in Abraham's God, cried out to Him for help. He helped her, but He warned her that her boy and his offspring would be fighting with everyone around them forever.

Muslims VS. Jews.

Sin and disobedience always bring consequences. Not only to the one who commits the sin, but many, many other people as well.

Answer 5

Back then having more than one wife was quite common. Abraham’s wife (her name escapes me), thought she was infertile. She asked Abraham to take Haggai as his second wife. Haggai gave birth to Ishmael. Later Abraham’s first wife became pregnant, with Isaac. She sent Haggai, and Ishmael away, with nothing. Isaac went on to inherit his father’s estate, lead the Hebrews. Ishmael went on to hate the Hebrews and was the patriarch of Islam. The old testament is nothing but a big soap opera. Many of the stories are like this.

Answer 6

So what? Mohammad also did that!?

Islam is a Great "Religion" !? And Allahu Akbar!? Allah is Great!?

How else can you explain that his "Prophet" - Mohammad had 9 or 12 wives? That he married women who were older than himself, at first, because they were wealthy; starting with Khadijah the owner of the caravan he worked for, who was around 46 when he was in his 20's and then another 65 year old woman whose name I forgot, a few years later, who was also, incidentally, very wealthy? And then some more, whose names I've forgotten. And after he made himself the "Prophet" and defeated his enemies, he turned on young women, when he was middle aged and finally, married a 9 year old girl when he was in his 50's!?

How can you explain the massacres that were made in the name of Islam, right from it's inception, of the worshipers of Amon Ra of Egypt, the Babylonians of present day Iraq, the Parsees of present day Iran, and oh so many others?

How can you explain the more recent atrocities like the 9/11, the London and Indian bombings, the TV broadcast of the "execution" by slowly slitting the throat of the Western Journalist who dared to criticize them, the training of children to become terrorists in their madrases and so on and so forth?

Why, of course Allah is the most Merciful!?

Of course Allah is Great!?

Allahu Akbar!?

Answer 7

God did allow it in those times, and it was Sarah's decision cause she wanted a child. However, it was God's purpose for her to have a son later, which is why she became pregnant at such an advanced age.

Answer 8

In Islam, you will desire to get permission from the 1st spouse earlier you have got diverse better halves. you will additionally would desire to have the potential to help all of them and any little ones which you will have with each and every. because of the fact the latter is so confusing to realize at the instant, fewer human beings have diverse better halves. In explanation, it became in effortless terms a gadget created to ascertain that ladies human beings weren't abused and not left to fend for themselves in a conflict-ridden male ruled international on the time. additionally (by using struggling with happening then), there have been many greater women human beings than they have been men, so it does not have been a possibility for one guy to marry one lady...

Answer 9

WRONG, FAIL, read KJV igno. Sarah suggested it and Abram complied, plain and simple it was "CONSPIRED ADULTERY" by todays biblical standards. Most importantly "THEY SHOULD HAVE WAITED ON THE LORD" as the bible tells us to do RIGHT??? and not WANT for anything huhhhh, now what?

You don't practice its teachings lest read it thoroughly cuz the tone of your comment sounds CONTRADICTORY to it's teachings ya hypocrite. Have a nice day

Answer 10

The Bible does not say that God said it was OK, the Bible just says that it happened

This is what happens when somebody that does not believe in the Bible try to show how the Bible is wrong.

There are many things that are not moral in the Bible but that does not mean that God condones it.