Her name means “flight,” to run away. She ran away and met God.

Her story: Genesis 16:1-16, 21:9-17, 25:12; Galatians 4:24-25

Hagar was an Egyptian servant/slave Sarah gained while she and Abraham were in Egypt. At that time, women could claim children that their female slaves conceived, carried and birthed as their own children. So, Sarah talked Abraham into using Hagar to help gain her a son, fulfilling God’s promise of children to Abraham. During the pregnancy, a problem arose between Sarah and Hagar and Hagar ran away. She was visited by an angel of the Lord by a spring where she was resting and he asked two questions: Where did you come from? Where are you going? When she explained her situation, the angel told her to go back and submit to Sarah’s authority. He then shared God’s promise for her and her own son. God promised to make him a great nation. She was told what to name him and what kind of man he would be. Hagar responds by acknowledging that God is a God who sees. She returned to Sarah and Abraham. About 14 years later, Hagar is in the desert again. This time her son is with her and they are out of water. She puts him under a bush to die. An angel visited her again and asked, “What is the matter with you, Hagar?” She explains and he tells her not to be afraid. The God who sees also keeps His promises. Scripture records that she found a wife for Ismael and that the Lord indeed kept His promise to her, because Ismael has many sons!

Her legacy for us: Even though Hagar was far from her own home, powerless in the family where she lived, a single mom betrayed by her son’s father and his wife, she received her own promises and miracles from God’s hand. She reminds us that God sees our pain and hardships and He provides what we need. The One who sees is the One keeps His word.

Our response to Him: Even when I am betrayed and feel alone, do I listen for Your voice and talk to You about my situation? What will help me remember You see and You have a plan and You keep Your word?