Kerry Clarensau - Adored by the God Who Sees Me

Genesis 16

KAY BURNETT

Terrifying thoughts flooded her mind as she dropped to rest under an acacia tree. How had things become so desperate, so unbearable that she now found herself alone, running back to Egypt? Pregnant and left to the mercy of her mistress who had turned on her, Hagar had fled impulsively and now faced an impossible journey through a desert wilderness that stretched for miles before her. Overwhelmed by the challenge of it all, she wept.

She hadnt foreseen this unexpected change of events. She didnt mind serving her mistress, Sarai. Though the work was mundane at times, she found satisfaction in her duties and appreciated Sarais kindness. Hagars life in this new place with this wealthy couple had brought many advantages. She was grateful and relieved by this. But everything changed the day she was delivered to Abram as a surrogate wife, thrust into his arms through Sarais desperate desire to provide her husband with an heir.

Certainly, she was thankful for the provisions and benefits that had come into her life through the master and his wife. Some time ago they had taken her and numerous other servants with them when they left Egypt. Since then, they had traveled, pitching their tents wherever Abram led them. At first, leaving Egypt had shaken Hagar, filling her with dread of the unknown. As one of the many servants and possessions Abram and Sarai had acquired while living in Egypt, she, along with others, now belonged to them and was forced to go wherever they went. Hagar had no choice but to accept this turn of fate and make the best of it. Though a woman in her lowly estate was usually treated more like a possession than a person, overall her master and mistress had been fair and kind to her. She always had plenty to eat, water to drink, and a safe place to live.

But once Hagar conceived Abrams child everything changed. Suddenly she knew she held a place her mistress couldnt hold in Abrams eyesshe was carrying his child. Her feelings toward her mistress gradually changed. Finally, for the first time in her life, she felt a little better than someone else, a little more favored, more blessed. Her behavior began to shift, starting in small and subtle ways but quickly growing boldera furtive look of disdain now and then, or a response with a superior air about it. Hagar became spiteful and insolent toward Sarai.

Pondering those choices and attitudes as she rested in the heat of the desert, Hagar realized she had been wrongcruel evento her mistress who, up until then, had worked her hard but had always been fair and provided for her needs.

So, it had come to this. Hagar sat in the shade of the acacia tree, tired, thirsty, and desperately fearful. Hot tears streamed down her face as she wrapped her arms around her growing belly. She had heard stories of people losing their lives in the brutal and unrelenting desert. Lack of water, venomous snakes, and unforeseen enemies had brought an end to many who traveled through this terrifying wilderness! Unsure of what to do, she rested beside a spring, where at least she had water. It might be the last she would find for quite some time.