Author: Tom Newbold, 26 July 2024
Hagar was a slave. Her story wasn’t one of choice. She was forced to sleep with Abram and gave birth to a son as a result of Sarai’s misplaced plan to produce an heir and descendants for Abraham. Hagar then found herself on the wrong side of her mistress, Sarai, who despised and mistreated her. Note how Abram failed to offer her any protection (Genesis 16.6).
Hagar decided to flee, and this is when she encountered God. The angel of the LORD called her by her name (Genesis 16.8). ‘You are the God who sees me,’ she responded (Genesis 16.13, NIV). Despite the fact that Sarai and Abram misused her, God made sure she wouldn’t miss out on the blessing promised to Abram. She too would have descendants too numerous to count (Genesis 16.10).
Hagar returned to Sarai, only to be sent away again several years later after the birth of Isaac. This second time Abram, now called Abraham, expressed more concern, although we are told it was concern for his son rather than for Hagar (Genesis 21.11).
In a short and heart-rending scene, we read of Hagar and her son running out of water in the wilderness. Believing they are both about to die, and unable to bear his suffering, she leaves him and despairs from a distance.
But then the Lord intervened. God heard the boy’s cry (Genesis 21.17), provided a well of water (Genesis 21.19) and reiterated his promise to bless Hagar’s descendants (Genesis 21.18).
Despite her cultural background as an Egyptian, despite her status as a slave, despite her mistreatment and vulnerability, God didn’t abandon Hagar. He saw her, rescued her and blessed her.
One of the most common themes in the Bible is God’s almighty heart and concern for the outcast and the poor. Even if you are abused, thrown aside and left with nothing, there’s still one who sees you. ‘He will never leave nor forsake you’ (Deuteronomy 31.8, NIV).
This devotional content originally appeared in The Women in Scripture Edition of the Rooted subscription journal.
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