Dearest Eves,
It has been a while since I last wrote a blog post. Life has been challenging lately and I must admit the year-end blues are coming in like a floodgate. But Abba has been so faithful and good! Through it all He has blessed abundantly in His Timing and we must stand still and recognise His fingerprints throughout our life journey – how wonderful are His grace and mercies every day!
We are still reading through Berĕshith (Genesis) and seeking the blueprint Abba has entrusted to us as Eves of His Kingdom by following the examples set out by the woman of the Bible. Understanding these women's life stories help us to try and navigate the life challenges we as Eves face on a daily basis here in this modern world. We had a two-part blog on the remarkable story of Sarah but what would her story be without Hagar. Hagar’s story is quite a humbling one and I believe Abba has specifically brought her into His Kingdom to allow all of us to see her blueprint and purpose.
Who is Hagar?
'And Sarai, Aḇram’s wife, had borne him no child. And she had a Mitsrian female servant whose name was Haḡar. And Sarai said to Aḇram, “See, יהוה has kept me from bearing children. Please, go in to my female servant. It might be that I am built up by her.” And Aḇram listened to the voice of Sarai.' - Berĕshith (Genesis) 16:1-2.
Hagar was a Mitsrian servant from Egypt who was given to Sarah most likely as a gift. She was favoured by Sarah to the extent that Sarah thought it well to ‘give her servant’ to Abraham to allow him to have a child. In her duty as a wife and feeling the pressure of old age and no future generation coming from her (according to Sarah’s timeline) she thought it well to rush Abba’s appointed time and commanded Hagar to be a concubine for Abraham.
'And he went in to Haḡar, and she conceived. And when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes. And Aḇram said to Sarai, “See, your female servant is in your hand, do to her what is good in your eyes.” And Sarai treated her harshly, and she fled from her presence.' - Berĕshith (Genesis) 16:4,6
Hagar, being a good servant and not having any other choice, obeyed her Mistress and became Abraham’s concubine. With her conceiving a child - as her Mistress wished - she felt misused and could not stand her Mistress. Sarah noticed this and brought it to Abraham’s attention of which he gave Sarah full authority over her servant to do as she pleases. Hagar was then mistreated by Sarah in various ways to the extent that she fled into the wilderness.
Abba’s instruction to Hagar…
'And the Messenger of יהוה found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur, and He said, “Haḡar, Sarai’s female servant, where have you come from, and where are you going?” And she said, “I am fleeing from the presence of Sarai, my mistress.” And the Messenger of יהוה said to her, “Return to your mistress, and humble yourself under her hand.”' -Berĕshith (Genesis) 16:7-9.
In the wilderness Abba sent a Messenger to speak to Hagar. You will notice that the Messenger asked Hagar where she came from and where she was going - fully knowing what she was up to. In times of trouble and hardships Abba wants us to stop, whether it is by a ‘spring of water’ or just at work in the parking lot, to reflect on our situation and to think about the possible outcome. You may ask ‘Why does Abba not just fix things?’ He does not just fix things because He is not a ‘genie in a lamp’ that grants us wishes, He is our Creator who gave us free will to choose Him and ask Him to help us over come in His Name, through His power & His authority. Abba wants to establish a relationship with us, one based on prayer and faith in Him to overcome all hardships and fulfil the purpose we have in His Kingdom.
The hard and humbling command from Abba’s Messenger to Hagar was to return to Sarah as her servant. I cannot begin to fathom how Hagar’s heart must have felt when she heard this command.
But he also brought forth a promise from Abba:
'And the Messenger of יהוה said to her, “I am going to increase your seed greatly, too numerous to be counted.” And the Messenger of יהוה said to her, “See, you are conceiving and bearing a son, and shall call his name Yishma‛ĕl, because יהוה has heard your affliction.' - Berĕshith (Genesis) 16:10-11.
Hagar will be just as important in Abba’s Kingdom as Sarah because of the promise that Abba made to Abraham. She will also share in the promise and purpose! Abba had not let what happened to her go unnoticed.
Hagar’s character highlight…
'And she called the Name of יהוה who spoke to her, “You are the Ěl who sees,” for she said, “Even here have I seen after Him who sees me?”' - Berĕshith (Genesis) 16:13.
Hagar was the first woman to call on the name of Abba! What name did she give our Creator? “El Roi” meaning “the God who Sees” in Hebrew. How beautiful is it to know that Abba is an all-knowing God and He sees everything!
Hagar’s blueprint…
Hagar’s blueprint is somewhat of a different one to the ones we have had in this series. We often think that the characters of the woman of the Kingdom have to have these absolute great stories and show Abba’s favour or showcase miracles. But as for Hagar, she was just an ordinary woman who due to circumstances and obedience had to endure a hardship and Abba met her in a quiet place and commanded her to endure the hardship for a little longer. The promise Abba gave her outweighed the hardship. In it all Hagar realised that Abba sees all and ensures that all is fairly judged and compensated for according to His measures. She called upon his name and praised
Him for the mere fact that He sees all!
Dearest Eves may Hagar’s story give you encouragement in your journey through finding your purpose is Abba’s Kingdom. May you be blessed in knowing that Abba sees all and provides all in His timing and according to His Measures.
Shalom
Neréne
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