In the book of Genesis chapter 16 there was a handmaid, an Egyptian woman named Hagar, her mistress Sarai was barren and could not provide a child to her husband so she devised a plan to give her bondwoman Hagar to her husband Abram in place of her to produce a seed which was common custom during those times. Prior to this God had already made a promise to Abram to "make thee a great nation". When you finish reading the story you learn that God didn't need Sarai's (whose named changed to Sarah) help at all, that God can and will fulfill all of his promises to us in due time, but that's not what today's devotional is focusing on. Today let's focus on Hagar.
(Gen 16:7-14) Shortly after Hagar conceived, she began to detest Sarai, this lead to Sarai instantly feeling regret and confiding in Abram. He advised for Sarai to do as she saw fit being as Hagar was still yet Sarai's bondwoman. Sarai, in anger, chose to deal harshly with Hagar which lead to Hagar running away. Understandably so, given the circumstances. I would imagine that Hagar probably felt powerless in her situation and as one with no voice. On her journey in the wilderness on the way to Shur, Hagar stopped at a fountain where the angel of the Lord found her. There is a great deal of biblical evidence that this encounter was actually Yahweh "Angel of Jehovah" in a visible form. That alone speaks volumes.
The angel of the Lord asked Hagar where she was coming from and where she was going. Hagar replied that she was fleeing from the hand of her mistress. To which the angel of the Lord comforted Hagar and established a covenant with her at that very moment. But first, she had to be obedient and submit herself to her mistress. It should also be noted that God himself named Hagar's son Ishmael, meaning "the Lord hath heard thy affliction". Hagar called the name of the Lord that spoke to her "the God that sees me: El Roi". From that moment she named the well Beer-lahai-roi. Hagar did as she was told and returned to Sarai and Abram. Later, Hagar bore Abram a son and named him Ishmael just as the Lord said. Sarai, now Sarah, also bore Abraham (formerly Abram) a son and named him Isaac.
Given the circumstances of God's original promise to Abraham and Sarah being the first and primary wife, Sarah began to feel concern regarding inheritance and demanded that both Ishmael and Hagar be sent away. (Gen 21:8-20) Though it was grievous in Abraham's sight, he did as his wife asked because God promised to take care of this other portion of Abraham's family. While wandering in the wilderness of Beer-Sheba, Hagar and Ishmael ran out of water. Hagar began to feel fearful for her son's life and could not bear to witness him die as he became weak so she cast him under a bush. She continued to walk a good way off and sat crying out to heaven with a loud voice "let me not see the death of the child!" Then she sat over against him and cried grievously. Instantly, God heard the voice of the lad and called out to Hagar, saying "Fear not" reminding her of his personal promise and covenant with her directly. God then opened Hagar's eyes and there was a well of water. I must take a moment to note that this well came directly from heaven by God's hand, to which Hagar was then instructed to take from and give to her son to drink, producing life! Heavenly water, producing life! Are you seeing what I'm seeing?! The boy then grew and dwelt in the wilderness and God was with the lad. Before I continue further I feel it is important to note a key difference between the two interactions between Hagar and the Lord at the wells, the first interaction Hagar was a bondwoman/handmaiden otherwise known as a slave. She did not have any freedom and was stuck in bondage to her masters but God gave her a promise of hope and liberty, she just had to trust in her God and know that ,yes, the almighty did in fact see her and love her. She had to have faith and it only took a little bit. Now this part is key, lastly she had to be obedient in what was required of her and submit to her leadership despite the circumstances. The second interaction with the Lord she was a free woman, no longer a slave, no longer in bondage. Note the difference in the wells, and the type of water given, earthly water to heavenly living water.
Which leads me to my last point for today. This story is so complex, there is so much symbolism, so much meaning that just can not be touched on all in one sitting, but there is one major parallel worth pointing out today. When you read the story of the samaritan woman in John chapter 4, its hard not to notice a clear foreshadowing of events between the two passages. Just like the angel of the Lord met Hagar, an Egyptian woman (who felt out of place in her mistresses' home or in otherwords
foriegn). Jesus waited at the well for this woman. Another foreign woman (Jews were not known to have dealings with Samaritians, no less women) and this specific woman was known around town for her adulterous ways. Jesus told this woman everything she ever did, very similar to "a God who sees me" and then offered her LIVING WATER! This is the first documented encounter in the bible of Jesus revealing himself as the Messiah to anyone other than the disciples. Yet, Jesus felt she was worth it, Jesus sought her out, specifically this samaritian woman regardless of her daily dealings, regardless of what society labeled her as, Jesus waited for her specifically to get to that well to offer her LIVING WATER. Just as God did for Hagar, when he comforted her and let her know he seen her and she was loved.
I take the time to write all this to say it doesn't matter what your situation is, we have a God that cares for us. A God that loves us unconditionally, a God that knows everything about us and has already made provisions for us. All we have to do is trust him. Don't you think that a God that would already know exactly how he is going to reveal himself as the messiah to us thousands of years before it happened, a God that put that much thought and effort into meticulously planning our salvation deserves our upmost trust and our faith that he has our best intentions at heart? For God's ways are not our ways, right? (Isa. 55:8)
So it's okay if you're a little messed up, or even a lot of messed up. We have ALL been there and anyone who says they haven't I might look at them a little suspect. No mess is too big for our God, and reading these passages are just reminders of that. Often times we as humans with our limited thinking put God in a box on what he can and can't do for us and in our lifes similarly to Sarai, but that's the amazing thing about Gods unfailing love for us and the fact that he alone is God. I hope this encourages someone today, let us remember to walk in love, in faith and in PURPOSE!
~Jennie
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