EquippedMama

What does it mean to be a mother of prayer? We hope this post encourages you to further cultivate your prayer life for the sake of your children, and your personal walk with the Lord.

If you thought you were having a bad day, Hagar’s story is one to give perspective. Hers is definitely not one that we would envy.

An Egyptian servant, her life was already scripted out for her; or so she thought. The servant of a wealthy elderly couple, Hagar likely was part of a peace offering Pharaoh had given the family after he had imprudently taken the wife to be his concubine. The misunderstanding with Pharaoh was corrected, but this couple had a significant problem; they were barren.

Well advanced in years, (around 85 for the husband and 75 for the wife), their chances of ever parenting a child seemed impossible. But God had spoken to the husband, promising him that he would be made into a great nation (Genesis 12:1-3) and moreover, that he would have a son that would come “from his own body” (Genesis 15:4). Yet, no baby’s cries filled their home. It appeared their chances of having a natural son were impossible.

In this culture, surrogate childbearing was deemed acceptable and Hagar was chosen by the mistress to be impregnated by her master for the purpose of bearing a child that would not legally be hers. In Genesis 16 Hagar’s story begins, when Sarai, the wife of the patriarch Abram proposes the solution to her barrenness.

“Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had not given birth to any children, but she had an Egyptian servant named Hagar. 2 So Sarah said to Abram, “Since the Lord has prevented me from having children, have sexual relations with my servant. Perhaps I can have a family by her.” Abram did what Sarai told him.”  Genesis 16:1-2

Although not explicitly stated in the text, Hagar does not appear to solicit or desire this extramarital relationship. From all the customs of the day, this arrangement would not be beneficial to the servant girl. She would bear the child, however as Sarai mentioned, it would be her mistress’ family line that was preserved. Hagar was a means to an end.

Through this arrangement, Hagar conceived and in the Bible it says that when she realized she was pregnant “She despised Sarai.” (Genesis 16:4). There are multiple translations for this exact word despised (qalal), but perhaps the most fitting suggestion is to make despicable or to curse.

There are many reasons that Hagar likely felt this way. The text does not say that this woman had a romantic interest of her own, but if she had, any chances of following that were ruined. Hagar was now forever merely the “slave wife” (Gen. 21:12) who would bear her master’s son, but never be an equal with the master’s wife. Finally, one more comment might be made about Hagar’s despise for Sarai- she was able to do that which Sarai couldn’t. In all the years of Abraham and Sarai’s marriage, they had not been able to conceive, and yet this did not appear to be a problem for Abram and Hagar. What a triumph for this slave woman!

Hagar’s attitude, despite the reasons, causes great anger with her mistress, and with the permission of Abram to do “whatever you think is best” (Genesis 16:6) Sarai treats her harshly and Hagar runs away.

At this point in her story, Hagar appears to have been victimized and misused. Although far from sinless, her actions seem justified in light of her treatment. Yet in her time of fleeing, the Lord meets her and demonstrates compassion on her humble state.

The interchange between Hagar and the Lord puts his mercy and compassion on display.

Hagar is a runaway slave, pregnant, and alone.

She has brought the wrath of her mistress upon her, and is in a strange land with no protection. This is where the Lord intervenes.

“The Lord’s angel found Hagar near a spring of water in the desert– the spring that along the road to Sur. He said, “Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going?” She replied, “I’m running away from my mistress, Sarai.” Genesis 16:7-8, NET

Three aspects of this encounter demonstrate the depth of the compassion of the Lord for Hagar. First and foremost, the Lord calls her by name. While Sarai refers to her as “my servant” the Lord instills value in her by acknowledging her identity. He recognizes that she is a person apart from Sarai’s usage of her. Hagar encounters the Lord in the midst of her fleeing and He knows her name.

Second, the text says that the angel found Hagar near a spring along the road to Sur. The angel found Hagar, but he knew where to look. Sur was a place “southwest of Palestine on the eastern border or within the border of Egypt; the Israelites passed through the wilderness of Shur after crossing the Red Sea” (Blue Letter Bible Shur definition). Hagar was an Egyptian slave, and when she ran from her mistress, it appears that she was trying to return home.

The angel’s question is loving, but pointed. He calls her by name, but also references her status of slavery. She belongs to Sarai. He asks her where she came from and where she is going. The very fact that the angel knew where to find her, en route to her old home, indicates that he knew the origin and destination of her trip. Why then does the Lord meet with Hagar if he already knows all the information he asks?

The Lord presents the slave woman with an opportunity to make a choice of obedience. She is told to return to her mistress and submit to her authority. Although this is a command, the Lord does not force her to go nor does he threaten misfortune if she disobeys. Rather, he promises her an inheritance of her own through the child she has conceived.

For the first time in the Bible, the child’s name and character are predicted. Ishmael is pre-named, indicating the covenant that the Lord had initiated with his mother. Ishmael is predicted to be a wild donkey of a man, hostile to everyone and living away from his brothers (Gen. 16:12). This does not appear to be an indicator of happiness or wealth for Hagar, but it does reveal that the Lord has a plan for her child. He has an inheritance planned for him. Moreover, he knows Hagar

In response, she worships.

Hagar’s prayer highlights just how little she knows of the Lord. Her words are not eloquent or lengthy, but her heart is full of praise. She worships the Lord for the attribute of him that she understands.

So Hagar named the Lord who spoke to her “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “Here I have seen one who sees me!” This is why the well was called Beer Lahai Roi. (It is located between Kadesh and Bered.) Genesis 16:14-15, NET.

As we learn later in the narrative of Abram and Sarai’s life, Hagar does return to her mistress and lives under her authority  for another 12 years. At this point, the wild donkey nature predicted in her son causes them to be exiled from her mistress, this time for good.

Hagar’s story and simple prayer should offer encouragement to each of us. Although many see the events of Genesis 12-16 as being Abram and Sarai’s story- for they are the family of the promise, God does not exclude Hagar from having her own identity and inheritance. Hagar does not offer anything to the Lord to deserve this mercy, and all that is required from her is simple obedience. From every indication, Hagar believes the words of the Lord, worships him for his faithfulness to her, and obeys his command.

Although our lives likely look very different from Hagar’s her prayer and example of obedience is still one that we should mode. God is still Beer Lahai Roi- “the Living One who sees me.”

Regardless of your season.

Regardless of your story.

God knows your name and your identity.

If you are a follower of His, He has an inheritance for you, too.

Thought to consider: God came to Hagar at a time when she had nothing. When he did, he told her that she was known, that her son had a name, a character, and an inheritance: her inheritance. It is obvious that she believes the Lord, because her response is obedient and gives the Lord the honor she knows how to give. Right now, how can you model the prayer of Hagar? In this season, for what can you praise the Lord? Your song can be simple, but in faith, you should respond to his kindness with obedience and praise.