She had fled from home. Her destination, unknown. What is known however, is the fact that she was carrying a baby. She left home in haste so she obviously carried little or no supplies. Thoughts must have been going through her mind like, “What will happen to me?” “Will I ever live to see this baby born?” “Would my body be found in this desert place?”
She had previously lived in comfort. She had all she needed but she blew it all by her attitude. Now she faced an uncertain future.
Sarah and Abraham had been in Canaan for the past ten years and there was no evidence that what God had promised, would come to pass. Abraham had been promised a son and I believe he must have told Sarah about the promise. It seemed however, that Sarah had probably come to the conclusion that she would never become a mother.
Having reached this conclusion, she decided to imbibe the customs of the East by giving her slave to her husband as a wife, so that she might conceive and have a child. The child would be Sarah’s because of the fact that Hagar was her slave.
As expected, Hagar became pregnant. The immediate consequence was that she began to misbehave towards her mistress. She no longer submitted to her mistress, seeing herself as superior because she thought she had something her mistress would never have. She probably thought that her mistress was being punished for her wickedness. She now saw herself as more favoured by God since she was carrying the heir of Abraham.
What Hagar did not bank on was that Abraham, in response to Sarah’s complaint about her slave’s conduct, would give Sarah permission to deal with her as she pleased. Hagar found herself being dealt with harshly and when she could bear it no longer, she ran away from home.
While she was sitting by a fountain of water in the desert, probably contemplating her future, an angel of God appeared to her. It is written, ”The angel of the Lord found her” (Gen 16:7). What lesson do we learn from this? Simply this; God knows who you are, where you are and what you are going through at every point in time.
The angel asks Hagar,“where did you come from, and where are you intending to go?” she replied, “I am running away from my mistress Sarai” (Gen 16:8) Another lesson we learn from this encounter is that sometimes God would ask us a question in order to point us to the solution. This can be seen in the response of the angel in the next verse, “Go back to your mistress and submit to her control”
Men may give you answers to life’s questions but those answers may be right or wrong. Only God has the solution to all life’s questions and problems. When man offers an answer, it is based on a number of factors, which may or may not exist in your peculiar situation but when God gives you a solution, you can take it to the bank.
Hagar knew God had given her the solution to her problem and she heeded the instruction of the angel. She was probably strengthened by the promise given that she would deliver safely and as if to re-confirm, God gives the unborn child a name. After the angel left, Hagar named the person who spoke to her as “The God Who Sees”
Are you in a desert place right now? Have you blown the opportunity given to you and you are wondering what the future holds for you? I have good news for you, the God who sees, knows where you are and will bring a solution your way. He may ask you questions you need to honestly answer in order to give you a solution.
Men may deal with us harshly as a consequence of our actions but God gives us a second chance just like He did Hagar. Whatever you may be going through, the God who sees will find you and bring hope, peace and restoration.
