HELLO HAGAR PART I
Last week we wrapped up Hello Sarai/Sarah.
Remember her servant?
No? Then go back and check out Hello Sarai/Sarah Part I, II, III, IV.
The servant/slave girl that is sprinkled throughout Sarah’s story, her name is Hagar. Today I want to take a closer look at Hagar and all that she experienced as a result of being Sarah’s slave.
The first thing we learn about Hagar is that she is a servant.
No, worse. She is a SLAVE.
When I think about what the word slave means I think phrases such as: confined, ordered around, can’t make own choices, controlled.
We can all agree that slavery no matter the circumstances is not a good way to live. So off the bat we see that Hagar already has a difficult life. In verse two Hagar gets a curb ball thrown at her that is about to make things even more challenging.
[Quick side bar… What are you a slave to? What controls your decisions? What confines you? What dictates your thoughts and emotions?
Good news is that Jesus came to set you and me free. We DO NOT need to be slaves to our sins any longer. We can be coheirs with Christ.]
Genesis 16:2… Abram agreed to what Sarai said. 3 … Sarai his wife took her Egyptian slave Hagar and gave her to her husband to be his wife. 4 He slept with Hagar, and she conceived.
Now I understand that Hagar is a slave but it kills me that Sarai thought of her as an object that she could “take” and “give” to her husband. Hagar had no say in the matter. I wonder. Was she raped? Did Abram force himself upon her? Well. It’s not like she had the option to say no.
Genesis 16: 4 … When she knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress.
Verse 4 is our window into Hagar’s emotions. She “DESPISED” Sarai. That’s such a strong word.Who do you despise? I know who I have despised…. that person who I felt had ruined it for me… that person I don’t want to see even in a painting. It’s an emotion like many others, yet the bible has something pretty convicting to say about hatred.
1 John 3:15 Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart.
Ouch! Sometimes people’s actions towards you or me are painful and unmerited. We may even think that despising or loathing them is what they deserve. However let’s be careful that we don’t allow others actions towards us to cause us to think, say or do something we can end up regretting.
I can’t say I’m surprised by her reaction. Hagar did not request to become Abram’s baby momma. This was forced upon her.
Sucks, because sometimes that’s how life is.
Sometimes something gets forced upon you or me that we did not look for, we did not ask for, we do not want.
My question is this… How do you respond?
Heck, how do I respond?
In those dark moments when we have no control and someone else is making the decisions that ultimately affect you or me directly.
Those moments when we want to shout NO! STOP! and our screams go unheard. The pain seems overwhelming and unbearable. I’ve been there. You are not alone.
Let’s remember:
1. It’s NOT your fault.
2. Don’t beat yourself up over someone elses actions.
3. You are not defined by the incident.
4. Forgive the people involved, yourself included.
5. Surrender the situation to God and make good choices as you move forward.
Next time we will see what course of action Hagar takes.
My Prayer for you:
Heavenly Father, thank you for showing us that there were women in the bible who felt real emotions. Thank you because that reminds us that we are not alone in our pain. We are not alone in our suffering. I pray for every reader experiencing pain at this moment. Any heart ache any disappointment or disillusionment. I ask you to surround their hearts with your love and with your joy. Your word declares that you are with the brokenhearted and crushed in spirit and I believe you are with each broken heart right now. I ask you to heal all broken hearts and help us forgive those who have caused us to feel any negative emotions such as hatred or jealousy. Thank you for hearing and responding to this request in Jesus’ heavenly name, Amen.
Memory Verse: Psalm 34:18
SUPERSTARNAT 