God Hears Your Cries

Genesis 21:8-21, New Living Translation (NLT)

Hagar and Ishmael Are Sent Away

8 When Isaac grew up and was about to be weaned, Abraham prepared a huge feast to celebrate the occasion. 9 But Sarah saw Ishmael—the son of Abraham and her Egyptian servant Hagar—making fun of her son, Isaac.[a] 10 So she turned to Abraham and demanded, “Get rid of that slave woman and her son. He is not going to share the inheritance with my son, Isaac. I won’t have it!”

11 This upset Abraham very much because Ishmael was his son. 12 But God told Abraham, “Do not be upset over the boy and your servant. Do whatever Sarah tells you, for Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted. 13 But I will also make a nation of the descendants of Hagar’s son because he is your son, too.”

14 So Abraham got up early the next morning, prepared food and a container of water, and strapped them on Hagar’s shoulders. Then he sent her away with their son, and she wandered aimlessly in the wilderness of Beersheba.

15 When the water was gone, she put the boy in the shade of a bush. 16 Then she went and sat down by herself about a hundred yards[b] away. “I don’t want to watch the boy die,” she said, as she burst into tears.

17 But God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, “Hagar, what’s wrong? Do not be afraid! God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. 18 Go to him and comfort him, for I will make a great nation from his descendants.”

19 Then God opened Hagar’s eyes, and she saw a well full of water. She quickly filled her water container and gave the boy a drink.

20 And God was with the boy as he grew up in the wilderness. He became a skillful archer, 21 and he settled in the wilderness of Paran. His mother arranged for him to marry a woman from the land of Egypt.

Footnotes:

21:9 As in Greek version and Latin Vulgate; Hebrew lacks of her son, Isaac.

21:16 Hebrew a bowshot.

Imagine for a moment being Hagar. The elderly woman she serves asks you to bed with her husband so they can finally have a child.  So she does. And Abraham loves this child. But this child was not the way God had planned to give Abraham an heir. So when the planned child arrives, now the first is in the way. He's competition. So he, and his mother, are sent out into the wilderness. With all those in Abraham's care, you would think he would have sent a man to care for his first born son and his mother. You would think he would send a mule or camel or some animal to help them along the journey. But only food and one jug of water is given.

I realize he asked God what to do, and God told him to do whatever Sarah asked. But I still have higher expectations for Abraham. Expectations he would have compassion on the son he waited so long for... even if another was to come.  Expectations of sympathy for his wife's maidservant, knowing what position she was put in to begin with. 

Instead, we see God take on the attributes of provider and compassionate one, Father and protector. God does not blame the boy or his mother for the choices of others. They, too, are his children. So God reminds Hagar to care for her son, go to him, comfort him.  And then God provides all that is needed to help the boy not only survive, but thrive... even though being cast off by the one who had so desired him... 

This text brings hope to all who feel abandoned or tossed to the curb. Never give up hope or stop caring for the ones you love. God is near and hears your cries. 

It also brings warning to those trying to shortcut God's plans. Stay on track. Be patient. And wait upon the Lord... or you may very well end up regretting some of your hasty decisions down the road.