A Strange State of Affairs

There are certain events in the Bible I read about that make me scratch my head. I believe that when I am in the presence of God those uncertainties will be wiped away by the new and full understanding I will gain but until then, I ponder...

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Recently in my devotion time I read the story in Genesis of Abram, Sarai and Hagar. Now, in case you don't know this story, I am going to link to the scripture here but will give you a synopsis.

Abram, who would later become Abraham, was married to Sarai, who later became Sarah. Abram is known for his great faith in God. They were unable to have children but Sarai desired to be a mother. One time, angels of the Lord visited Abram and told him that Sarai would have a child. Being as they were VERY old then, Sarai overheard this and even laughed. God heard that and she was given a stern talking to. Legit. Anyway...Sarai became impatient and told Abram to sleep with her maidservant, Hagar, and have son that way. Like...who does this!?!? But Abram did. And Hagar became pregnant. Guess what happened. Sarai got mad and jealous, mistreating Hagar!

I know, right? I am sure you didn't see that coming (she said with much snark and sarcasm). See what I mean? Strange state of affairs.

Hagar actually became disobedient as a servant and ran away but you know what happened then? God met her, comforted her and encouraged her to return. Hagar was overwhelmed with this meeting.

I love how this passage reads in the English Standard Version. "So she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, "You are a God of seeing," for she said, "Truly here I have seen him who looks after me."

I have always read this account and felt horribly for Hagar. Her position as servant wouldn't have allowed her to refuse the request of her master, Sarai. That alone is sickening, but to then be mistreated for the obedience and the desired result? Barbaric! Insane! Heartbreaking.

I also feel like I need to be extremely careful with this so that no one gets the wrong impression. In NO WAY am I saying that anyone must remain in abusive or intentionally hurtful situations. In now way do I believe God intends for people to be mistreated but in this instance He was working something bigger than anyone could see.

Here's the thing that I read that just really impacted my view on this piece of God's history - Although Hagar was disobedient in her running away (another strange thing about this story), God met her right where she was, speaking life and hope into her heart in the middle of undesirable circumstances; one who strayed but found by the One who loves regardless. In the middle of the desert, Hagar was met and cared for by this loving God and He does the same for us.