Kept at his Word
Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.
2 And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.
3 And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.
4 And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.
5 And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee.
6 But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thine hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face.
7 And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.
8 And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.
Genesis 16:1-8
Abram's about to have an unfortunate run-in with the Lord once again. If you'll remember before he's the God who changes the situation from what we'd see there in general. The situation might've looked hopeless at this time but consider that our God has never stopped from remember. He's making the whole world right with his Son. Though notice if you will that the situation looks mighty hopeless and bare. Abram had a child with his mistress while seeking his heir which is where he'd made his first mistake to consider, not seeking the Lord with his whole heart there in full. His seeking an heir led him to the next best possible person, while allowed by Sarah at the moment due to her lack of trust in the Lord, would've worked against him later on seeing the Lord. Certainly, there's strife in the house already and favoritism too I might add which came naturally on one having children and the other being despised. It's awful hard isn't it to have children in a house where sharing and equality aren't as prized. That's to say, Hagar wouldn't have stood for this treatment neither would Sarah, her maid. Basically, Abram found himself facing an issue with favoritism there in the middle. It's kind of hard isn't it though when it comes to his children, our God doesn't play favorites or games. He's the same all the time you've been here, it's just that you hadn't noticed or hadn't been made just as visible. A lot of us like to focus on ourselves when the situation gets bad in particular, though that's not what Hagar did but just to run and talk to the Lord. You know, it's sort of funny isn't it that you're not supposed to have women house leaders. Abram here was passing through, as a stranger in the land down here and as these things often go he'd have needed some grace for all the mistakes he had made. It's a very good thing though that Hagar just had the ear of the Lord. He's near isn't he to all them that fear him. Perhaps Hagar isn't long enough for a whole house leader section, just as an example that submitting your ways back to the Lord produces then great rewards. In this case, God promised her that he'd have turned the situation around soon despite what she knew for his grace and his glory there in the house or once more just to be found with the Lord. It's not time yet for that is it, just to wait on him truly.
9 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.
10 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.
11 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.
12 And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.
13 And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?
14 Wherefore the well was called Beerlahairoi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.
15 And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son's name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael.
16 And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.
Genesis 15:9-16
In the waiting and the submission, however hard that it was, under Abram God promised her sustenance and that her time would've come. Indeed, to her the same promise came that it did to Abram after. You might wonder then how Hagar got called a mother to all of God's children. It's so his purpose might stand for he's turning the situation around for his good. Certainly, the situation would've affected her son and he'd known some wild ways having not taken after the Lord, but you know even God would be among all of her children and change them from grace to glory there in particular. It's hart isn't it seeming the wildness and the against everything that you'd see. Even in that then, is God her house leader and there does he lead her. He's called the Lion of the Tribe of Judah isn't he after this nature for he's the God who makes all very visible. Maybe you know what it is for being despised and how that God turned around all things with just that of himself even though you were unwise. In the turning though, is seen the Lord standing there ready and waiting to receive all of his people for it's the lack then that makes all this visible. Though Ishmael's dwelling is not with all men but with the brethren whom God has designed. Thus, he functions best in families and dwellings just as God would've promised his person. You know, to receive the same promise that came unto Abram meant that even the stones were raised up for his purpose as sons unto God. Maybe you don't understand it just yet or even know what it is. Though, even Hagar got her own well named just after her. God promised though and she kept his Word. Isn't it funny though how obedience makes it all visible and still settles the score and brings all things right in the house of the Lord.