Worship Opportunities

I’m reading back through the Bible this year, and one of last week’s passages landed me in a woman’s story that gets my blood boiling, but also gives vital insights into the heart of God: the story of Hagar.

The running start begins in Genesis 12 when God promises three things to Abram: land, offspring, and to be a blessing to all nations.

But years pass and we see evidence that question marks dotted Abram and Sarai’s minds particularly regarding the promise of a child.

Perhaps impatience or confusion prompt Sarai to take matters into her own hands.

Sarai’s suggestion to Abram: “Go to my Egyptian slave, Hagar.” Without any argument that we know of, he consents.

Though I have compassion for Abram and Sarai’s questions, the treatment of Hagar as a possession gets my blood simmering.

Tension and conflict arise as they all realize the goal has been met, that Hagar is indeed carrying a child. Sarai throws it back in Abram’s face. “You are responsible for my suffering!”

This is where my blood goes from simmering to boiling. Abram says to Sarai, “Your slave is in your power; do whatever you want with her.” Sarai takes this to heart and does just that. Her abuse drives Hagar to run away.

The abuse must’ve been extreme because running away had to carry risks in those days. She couldn’t summon a driver to uber her from one city to the next, stopping at a fast food restaurant for a snack. No mention of an animal is present, so I imagine pregnant Hagar set out on foot, maybe nauseous, swollen, hungry, and exhausted.

She put herself in the most vulnerable position to escape the torment.

Fleeing to the wilderness alone, she settles by a spring, her body and mind exhausted from pregnancy and from the travels. Her heart broken and her spirit crushed, there she sat.

Have you ever been so outcast? So driven to despair? Have you known someone who was or is?

It’s right there in that place of brokenness, sorrow, hurt, and solitude she’s met by One who seeks her out and calls her by name.

Through their verbal exchange, she’s given some insight about this baby she’s carrying and the One who’s with her: she’s carrying a boy and his name will be Ishmael which means “the Lord has heard” He has heard!

God is not drowning out Hagar’s suffering with heavenly AirPods stuffed in His ears. He’s alert and listening!

Hagar acknowledges something else that helps us understand Who she’s talking to. She says, “You are El-Roi (God sees), for she said, “In this place, have I actually seen the one who sees me?” I think the one she’s interacting with is the pre-incarnate Christ!

My blood is coming back down from the rolling boil. Though there is such injustice tangling up this trio, God shows Himself faithful to this wounded, oppressed woman. Later on, He also shows such grace and mercy to Abram and Sarai, the ones who put her in this desperate position.

There are incredible implications in knowing the God who sees and hears, but for today, I’ll leave you with the encouragement that whatever circumstance you are in, you can be assured that you are heard and seen by the God of the universe. In times when we feel like running away, we can run to this One who sees and hears all things.