Then the angel of the Lord told her, “Go back to your mistress and submit to her.” Genesis 16:9
All that Hagar did was obey her mistress Sarah. | WATCH ON YOUTUBE
When Abram was seventy-five years old, God called him out of Ur to follow him into the Promised Land and told him that He would bless Abraham with descendants as many as the stars in the sky. A humanly ridiculous and impossible promise.
And yet, now ten years into the promise, no child. Hadn’t they waited long enough? Maybe, the Lord had forgotten? Did they actually hear God right, Sarah wondered? God could do with a little help, maybe?
And so, Sarah, in all her human wisdom, and with Abraham’s willing compliance, gave Hagar, her slave, to Abraham, that they might have a child through her. And sure enough, Hagar conceived. But then began trouble. Hagar despised her mistress. Sarah mistreated Hagar. And when Hagar could take it no longer, she ran away.
An angel of the Lord met Hagar in the desert and asked her what happened. Having heard the entire story, the angel asked Hagar to go back to her mistress and submit to her. Hagar would have expected some sympathy and concern, right? At least a promise of harm to those who have been troubling her? But Hagar trusted God. Her willingness to humbly obey, led to God blessing her.
God’s ways are truly higher and much wiser. Going back to the place of suffering or injustice takes faith and humility. And yet, God’s blessing is often linked to our humble obedience to Him.
What place of suffering are you running from? Would you humbly trust God, even if it means returning, and submitting to the very same difficult situation?
Father, help me humbly trust and obey you in my tough situations, I pray.
Extended Reading – Genesis 16-18
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