TODAY’S SCRIPTURE | Genesis 16:1-16, 21:8-10, 14-21 
The story of Hagar is a case study in how to read the Bible. Here we find that the heroes of the faith are engaged in polygamy and slavery and act out of jealousy and hate. What are we to make of this and what does it tell us about the essence of the Bible’s message? Part of the answer is found in the way God sees and responds to Hagar, displaying compassion that is captured by the words of Jesus centuries later: “Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.”