Spring in the Wilderness

~~~ Genesis 16: 6B-12, 15-16 ~~~ Psalm 106 ~~~ Matthew 7:21-29 ~~~

Abram, Sarai, and the other woman, Hagar.

For ten years Sarai had been unable to conceive 

and bear a son for Abram.

As was the ancient custom Sarai gave her slave

 to her husband to conceive in her place.

Sarai was infertile and frustrated.

This was seen as a disgrace and completely 

the fault of the woman.

Sarai took her maid, Hagar the Egyptian,

and gave her to her husband Abram to be his concubine.

The decision to give her slave to her husband eventually

caused problems between the women.

Hagar knew about Sarai's infertility

 and consequently judged her.

Sarai becomes angry when Hagar 

successfully conceives a child with Abram.

Even though this was Sarai's idea she grew

 increasingly jealous of Hagar.

Abram gave her his consent to discipline 

Hagar...abuse her.

“Your maid is in your power.

Do to her whatever you please.”

Sometimes we make decisions 

that later we wished we had not made.

Sarai had not anticipated her own feelings

 when offering Hagar to her husband.

It was not possible for her to anticipate how she would feel 

if her slave conceived with her husband.

Once Hagar was with child there 

was no turning back for Sarai,

One day when Hagar could take no more she ran away.

The LORD’s messenger found her by a spring in the wilderness...

The messenger from the Lord found Hagar
in the wilderness beside a spring of living water.
Although Hagar was feeling all was lost even though
she was with child
God sent a messenger to her.

This spring of water was in the wilderness.

Even in the wilderness God finds a way to speak to our heart.
The waters of the spring were signs of life and hope.

Hagar returned and gave birth to Abram's son, Ishmael.

God makes all things work toward good.

May you be Blessed with a spring
in the wilderness of your life.
~~~ Peace~~~