Hagar lived in the shadow of Sarah, a well-respected and honoured woman. The strained relationship between the two women resulted in Hagar making two trips into the desert. The first time, she chose to leave on her own, but the second time, Abraham sent her away at Sarah’s request.
Genesis 21:10 (NLT) “So she turned to Abraham and demanded, “Get rid of that slave woman and her son. He is not going to share the inheritance with my son, Isaac. I won’t have it!”
When things happen that we can’t control, we feel powerless. Like Hagar, we end up roaming around without knowing what to do.
Genesis 21:14 (NLT) “So Abraham got up early the next morning, prepared food and a container of water, and strapped them on Hagar’s shoulders. Then he sent her away with their son, and she wandered aimlessly in the wilderness of Beersheba.”
She wandered aimlessly in the wilderness of Beersheba.
During those times when we don’t have a clue which direction to go, we can surely rely on God for direction. He will calm our anxious thoughts and give us the direction we seek.
Isaiah 30:21 (NLT) “Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.”
Hagar wandering aimlessly in the wilderness is now at a point where it looks like her boy is not going to make it. She is desperate.
Genesis 21:16 (NLT) “Then she went and sat down by herself about a hundred yards away. “I don’t want to watch the boy die,” she said, as she burst into tears. “
In her desperation God noticed Hagar’s cry.
Genesis 21:17 (NLT) “But God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, “Hagar, what’s wrong? Do not be afraid! God has heard the boy crying as he lies there.”
In this desperation God not only saves Ishmael from death, God gives Hagar a promise.
Genesis 21:18 (NLT) “Go to him and comfort him, for I will make a great nation from his descendants.”
Jeremiah 29:11 (MSG) “I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.”
God is with us, always. Genesis 21:19-20 (NLT) “Then God opened Hagar’s eyes, and she saw a well full of water. She quickly filled her water container and gave the boy a drink. 20 And God was with the boy as he grew up in the wilderness. He became a skillfull archer,”