Genesis 16.  Peter draws parallels between Abram and Hagar, Daniel and Nebuchadnezer, and the church and culture today. Faith and faithfulness require wisdom in assimilation, accommodation and holiness in our culture today. After waiting 10 years Abram and Sarai turn away from the promise of God to the practices of their culture.  The results bring turmoil to the household of Abram.  In the silence God speaks to the outcast – Hagar, but it will be another 13 years before he speaks (in the Biblical text) to Abram again.