In the land of Canaan, Abram and his wife Sarai were experiencing a great famine and travelled to Egypt to sojourn there.
Pharaoh and his household heard about the stranger in his land of Egypt and his officials reported to Pharaoh that this stranger had an exceedingly beautiful companion. Gen 12:14
Soon the beautiful “companion” was brought to Pharaoh and he wanted to keep her and compensated Abram,”the stranger” with sheep and oxen and donkeys and camels,male and female servants and female donkeys and camels…a generous reward for the lovely Sarai!
But something was amiss! The Lord struck Pharaoh and his household with great plagues because of Sarai, Abrams WIFE! Not companion and not his sister as he had practiced his deception. The deceived Pharaoh was rightfully outraged, but fair, and said “Why have you done this to me? Why did you not tell me she is your wife not your sister? Take her and go!” Pharaoh’s men escorted Abram and Sarai out with all that had been generously given, and belonged to them.
Hagar, the Egyptian servant was one of those belongings!
Hagar must have wept as she left her homeland. She must have wept as she passed the great river Nile. She must have wept as she regarded the grand works of art and culture,and the magnificent buildings, the massive pyramids and the temples to their many gods and goddesses.
She must have wept because she was now a servant to a Hebrew and his wife and she had no idea where they were going.
Many miles, a grueling journey, hot and dry as they trudged through the Negev. Now tears would streak her dusty face and still they walked on!
Finally they arrived in Bethel where the Lord had originally appeared to Abram [Gen.12:7], and set up an altar, and here he called on the name of the Lord, [Gen. 13:4]. What must Hagar have thought about this strange practice?
Ten years passed in the land of Canaan. Ten years Hagar served as Sarai’s maid. But Sarai was barren, wanted a child, and decided on that fateful day, that there was another venue for Hagar. Sarai took Hagar her maid and gave her to Abram as his wife! {Gen. 16:3} What could possibly go wrong?
Well, here’s what. Hagar conceived, and her mistress Sarai was despised in her sight. [Gen. 16:4] In retaliation Sarai treated her harshly. Hagar fled! Pregnant, abused, abandoned, and scared…did she even have a plan?
But God did!
In the wilderness of Shur, on her way to Egypt, Hagar stopped at a spring of water, where a grand miracle awaited her as God’s plan unfolded.
THE angel of the Lord [a Christophany, an appearance of preincarnate Christ], appeared to Hagar!
Can you imagine her response to this extraordinary event as He knew her name, her mistress, her pregnancy, her child, a son, his name [Ishmael} his character and his future outlined. He also directed her to return to her mistress and submit to her authority. [Gen.16:7-16]
Was Hagar astonished? Sounds like it, for she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her “God Who sees”, and asked, “How can I remain alive after seeing Him?”
Hagar obeyed the Lord and returned to Abram and Sarai, and some months later, an 86 year old Abram received his son and named him Ishmael.
The tears Hagar shed at this time would have been tears of joy. Her joy would not last, but again God had a plan. Genesis 21 continues the events and so we will return next time to the rest of Hagar’s amazing story!
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