2024_01_08 Insight Post- Kim Feld
This week’s reading- Genesis 16, Genesis 21:8-17, Genesis 25:12, Galatians 4:24-25
I have always found Hagar’s story to be a sad one. She was an enslaved Egyptian who served Abram’s wife Sarai (later Abraham and Sarah). God promised Abram he would be the father of a nation of people, but Sarai was barren. Taking matters into her own hands, with Abram’s full complicity, Sarai gives Hagar to Abram to sleep with, in the hopes that a child will be conceived. Once that happened, Hagar began to despise Sarai. Sarai became abusive to Hagar, and Hagar ran away.
One of the most fascinating things that scripture tells us about Hagar is that she was visited by the angel of God not once but twice. God saw her, heard her cries, and gave her aid. Her first encounter with the angel of God was while she was pregnant and on the run. He made her a promise that required hard obedience on her part. God told Hagar that her son would have a long lineage, but she must return and put up with Sarai’s abuse.
God didn’t promise Hagar relief from her abuse. Quite the opposite; He told her to return and submit to Sarai’s authority. His promise was for her son. I’m struck by Hagar’s obedience even though it did not change her circumstances. Her love for her son seems to be a huge motivator, but she must have trusted that what God told her would come to pass.
Hagar’s story has caused me to reflect on hard obedience – when obeying doesn’t change my circumstances or make things better. I like it when I can see positive outcomes from obedience! But what about when I don’t or when it’s a long time coming? What is the purpose of obedience?
The word “obey” and its derivatives are used at least 258 times in the New International Version of Scripture. To obey is to submit to someone’s authority. We are to obey God as an indication of our love for Him, not because of what He may give us, but out of love and devotion for what He has done for us. Let’s take a look at Jesus’ words in John 14:23:
Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.
Hagar’s experience led her to return and submit to her role as Sarai’s servant. Obedience is not always easy and is often costly. As I ponder more of Hagar’s story, I’m looking at areas of my life where more obedience is required. God uses obedience to His commands to sculpt and mold my character. Obedience may require giving up things I desire and putting more weight on what He desires. Hagar’s story tells us that God sees and hears us; He wants us to see and listen to Him as well.
Kim Feld
Executive Director of Education and Outreach