Church Hopping

So after all of the doubt, Isaac, the promised son, is born in Genesis 21 and everyone is happy. Until Sarah sees Ishmael laughing. Last chapter when Sarah agreed to lie for Abraham and be taken by Abimelech, it seemed that women were very submissive and their role was to do as they are told. But this time Sarah comes across as very bold and tells Abraham to get rid of Hagar and Ishmael. So I am still confused because sometimes the women are portrayed as almost slaves that do what they told and sometimes they have the right to speak their minds as they wish.

I wonder if God had in mind the same thing Abraham did when He gave the go-ahead to kick out Ishmael and Hagar. Abraham was a pretty wealthy guy and I feel like he could have given her more than bread and one thing of water. He probably could have given her servants and livestock. I am sure God was indifferent because He planned to provide for her anyways, but I would think He would want Abraham to send her off with a little more.

In the last part we see Abraham as a good business man as well. Abimelech is obviously more powerful and wealthy than Abraham, so it is wise for Abraham to make this alliance. I think the importance of the well is something lost on us because we have running water. A well is no easy thing to dig by hand and it can be your only source of water, so it is something worth giving up a couple lamb for.