#angelofthelord — Sarai and Hagar

Genesis 16:11-12 NLT

And the angel also said, “You are now pregnant and will give birth to a son. You are to name him Ishmael (which means ‘God hears’), for the LORD has heard your cry of distress. This son of yours will be a wild man, as untamed as a wild donkey! He will raise his fist against everyone, and everyone will be against him. Yes, he will live in open hostility against all his relatives.”

In my last blog, Hagar was reinstated as a slave of Sarai and was told to submit to her mistress. God gave her a promise of countless descendants if she followed through.

God prepares Hagar for the future of her son

Now, the angel confirms to Hagar that she is pregnant and her pregnancy will come to full term. Her baby will be a son and his name is ‘God hears’ (1). Imagine, every time Hagar calls this child’s name she will remember that God heard her cry of distress and came to her aid.

It is also important for future reference that Hagar would cry to God for aid concerning her son. He will be a difficult child to raise. The angel first described him as wild, conjuring up images of an uncontrollable stubborn man who easily gives into his passions.

The second descriptor the angel gives to Hagar about her son is ‘untamed as a wild donkey’. Not exactly what you want to hear about your new born baby! Tamed animals can be tethered and are controlled at the bit. But a wild donkey is handled by no one and follows its own will.

The angel continues to relay that her son will raise his fist of defiance against everyone. Ishmael will be the catalyst and the cause of contention among his own people. This trait laid dormant in Hagar until she became pregnant and it reared its ugly head when she defied her mistress, Sarai. Ishmael will attempt to dominate others by being a rebel and his relatives will respond in kind.

God gives difficult news with a promise

This had to be hard for Hagar to hear. She may have felt victimized for a situation beyond her control, but God prepared her for the task ahead. God sees that she is able and will be a good mother to her son. Hagar’s hands will be full raising this difficult child and yet, his very name will remind her to call upon the God who hears her. Every time she calls on God, He will answer and help her in her time of need.

Bible examples of hard news with a promise

There are chapters in the Bible that are difficult to digest. Examples of people who had a promise but experienced great difficulty attaining those promises are all over the Bible. Think of Joseph who was a slave for 13 years before he became second in command of Egypt. David served Saul 14 years before he became king. Paul preached many years before he witnessed to Caesar. Joseph, David, and Paul diligently served in each position God placed them with a humble attitude. All were all presented with promises that anchored their soul.

God wants us to call on Him

When we hear words that are hard to swallow, we must embrace them and allow ourselves to be prepared physically, spiritually, and emotionally for what lies ahead. In every case, we can always call upon the God who hears us. Call on God and He will answer and give us the information we need to know and the grace to see it through.

Let’s pray:

Father, this is a hard lesson, but I know that it is for my own good. When You give me information that seems more than I can swallow, help me to bear it. Give me Your grace to overcome difficulties that lie ahead. Thank You for preparing me for the future. I will always call on You because You are the One with the answers. In Jesus Name, Amen.

References:

https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H3458&t=KJV

Genesis 16: 7-10 NLT

The angel of the LORD found Hagar beside a spring of water in the wilderness, along the road to Shur. The angel said to her, “Hagar, Sarai’s servant, where have you come from, and where are you going?” “I’m running away from my mistress, Sarai,” she replied. The angel of the LORD said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit to her authority.” Then he added, “I will give you more descendants than you can count.”

Qualification

Before I begin this blog, I want to make a qualification here. People in an abusive situation need to get out of it , immediately!! This lesson is based on the context of Old Testament times.

Where was Hagar?

Hagar was in the desert and there weren’t many springs of water. The angel of the Lord met her at a well. Shur, the city that means ‘wall’ indicating support and protection (1), was probably the closest town located from Abram’s caravan.

Hagar, Sarai’s servant

The angel addressed Hagar as a servant of Sarai and not as Abram’s wife. God did not dispute Abram’s ruling concerning Hagar but in fact, backed it up. The angel not only identified Hagar, but reinforced the position she held in Abram’s and Sarai’s household.

Hagar’s answer to the Angel
The angel asked her two questions. First, he asked Hagar where she came from and secondly, where was she going. Her response was interesting. At first glance, it appeared that she only answered one of the two questions but in fact, she answered both. She didn’t say that she left Abram’s caravan and was now heading towards Shur. Hagar’s response implied that she came from servant hood but now she was heading towards freedom.

The Angel’s warning

Hagar thought she would find help and support in the city of Shur. The angel is telling her that's not so. Hagar was a pregnant runaway slave. She was in an extremely dangerous and vulnerable position with no protection. The angel could have been preventing a far worse fate for her and her baby, even death.

God’s will in this situation

The Angel redirected Hagar’s focus by telling her to return to Sarai. She would have to forgive Sarai and Abram for forcing her into this sensitive position. Then she would have to forgive herself for the chaos, strife, and contention caused by her attitude. And, the most difficult of all, she will have to humble herself and submit Sarai’s authority. But if she did, God will deal with Sarai and Hagar will be safe.

Obedience comes with a great reward

I am sure that Hagar’s heart sunk at the prospect. But, the angel's directions and promise would anchor her soul with hope for a full life. Hagar would have more descendants than she could possibly count.

Hagar's freedom was coming. In thirteen years she would be released from Abram's household and would start a new life. She listened to the angel, and in God's perfect timing she was able to throw off the title of slave and raise and support her son who would be a prince of twelve tribes.

The lesson for today

This is a hard lesson. There will be times in life when God will ask us to do something extraordinarily difficult. Like Hagar, our hearts will sink at the very thought. Forgiveness will always be involved for all the parties concerned including ourselves. But, by humbly submitting to God’s will, obedience will be rewarded with a promise that will anchor your soul.

Hebrews 6:18-19a NLT

So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.

Let’s pray:

Father, there are times when I want to run away from a situation because it is overwhelming. But, there are times when You give me instructions that are difficult to follow because You are trying to spare me from making an even worse mistake. You are my refuge. Give me the grace to submit to Your will concerning my situation and to obey Your instructions. Your promises anchor my soul. In Jesus Name, Amen.

References:

(1) https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H7793&t=KJV

Sarai and Hagar Part 5- Call Me

Sarai and Hagar Part 4- Anchor of Hope