The Barren Place
Have you ever felt trapped and alone without anyone who understands your pain? We often end up in a difficult place because of selfish choices by others. God knows we’d encounter this, so He included the account of a woman who had the worst of it. She made some mistakes, but the power of others rendered her powerless and hopeless. No one was there to see, hear, or understand her pain and sorrow. Hagar was utterly alone. Or so she thought; God showed up for her. He is the same today; He is here for you too.
You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. You shall not walk in their statutes. Leviticus 18:3 AMPC
The Unjust Place
Hagar was a servant to Abram’s wife, Sarai. The practice of slavery is as old as time outside the garden. When society deems something acceptable, even people who are called and have God’s promises can sin due to cultural norms. Leviticus tells us not to follow these cultural norms. What sin could we be practicing because society deems it a right? Sarai waited ten years for the promised child, but it didn’t come. Sarai took matters into her own hands and gave Hagar as a concubine to her husband, Abram. Hagar was to sleep with him and birth a child for them. Abram and his promised seed still pay for this sin. Ishmael is still fighting Isaac (Israel). Today, we focus on Hagar, the victim in this. God sees victims and hears their prayers and answers.
"But [a]the Angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness on the road to Shur." Genesis 16:7 AMPC
The Hopeless Place
Hagar was tossed out, alone in a barren wasteland of the desert. She was not barren like Sarah. When she got pregnant, she thought her future was bright. She let pride get the better of her and mistreated Sarah because Sarah was too old to have a child. Hagar was confident in her position as the mother of the heir. Sarah had the power to abuse Hagar, and she did. Hagar ran to the desert. Hagar had no one. She was utterly alone in the wasteland of the desert, mirroring the utter loneliness of her soul. God saw her and heard her. He sent an angel to tell her that He saw her predicament, to prophesy Ishmael and give her direction.
"Also the Angel of the Lord said to her, I will multiply your descendants exceedingly, so that they shall not be numbered for multitude.And the Angel of the Lord continued, See now, you are with child and shall bear a son, and shall call his name Ishmael [God hears], because the Lord has heard and paid attention to your affliction." Genesis 16:10-11 AMPC
The Protected Place
The angel prophesied to Hagar. He told her that she was pregnant and she would have a son. Although He told Hagar to return to this abusive situation, He also told her to name the boy “Ishmael.” This name was a built-in protection for Hagar and her son. Throughout each day, each time the name Ismael was called, it was a statement. Abram and Sarai were reminded that God was hearing and seeing everything they did. Abram and Sarai got their act together, and God changed their names to Abraham and Sarah. Then, He gave them their little promised son, Isaac.
The Poem
I wrote this poem yesterday after talking with a friend. We both realized that God sees our situations and has heard our cries. This realization inspired me to reread the story of Hagar, and the poem was born. I pray it speaks to you as it spoke to me.
