Hagar the Helpless, Genesis 21:14—19

“What is the matter, Hagar?”  That was the question.  We all have problems, don’t we?  Sometimes events in life seem to overtake us, and, like Hagar, we feel overwhelmed because life is just so unexpected.  When you think about it, Hagar should have been thrilled with her situation.  Here she was, nursing the son of Abraham, a man of distinction.  But an unexpected turn of events throws her life into a tailspin.

The birth of Isaac—a type of one born of the Spirit—brings nothing but trouble and separation to Ishmael—a type of one born of the flesh.  You can’t help but feel sorry for Hagar, crushed in spirit and feeling hurt; she wanders away into the barren wilderness, ready to die.  But at her lowest ebb, God came to her, His hand outstretched, and He extends great mercy and grace to her.

1.  A Supernatural Question, verse 17.  God saw Hagar and asked what anybody would ask.  God’s words are always timely and always special.  God’s question was asked out of great compassion and concern for a hurting one.  Jesus asked a similar question of the blind man, “What do you want me to do for you,” Jesus asked (Luke 18:41).  Jesus was opening the door into His divine fullness.  Similarly, God’s question of Hagar is her opportunity to enter into His fullness. 

• She was an outcast, verses 10 and 14.  Hagar was shut out completely from her master’s house and his very presence because her son, Ishmael, mocked Isaac, who was a gift from God.  Those who mock or sneer at God must always be separated from those whom God is using.  Consider the story of Jesus healing the dead girl in Luke 8:49—56.  Jesus told Jairus, “Just believe and your daughter will be healed.”  Later, Jesus arrived at the little girl’s house and when He attempted to heal her, the mourners gathered there laughed and mocked Him.  What did Jesus do?  He reached out, took her hand and healed her and told her to “get up.”  Yes, sin always separates.
• She was utterly destitute, verse 15.  The meager resources of the poor are used up quickly.  It didn’t take the prodigal son long to spend his inheritance.  Often times, it takes a sinner getting to the end of  his natural resources before he finally resorts to supernatural ones, like prayer.  His wit’s end is often his best end.  It is when all self-centered streams have dried up that the thirsty soul finally seeks the Fountain of Living Waters!
• She was helpless and hopeless, verse16.  When a person gets so low, sometimes they do things that don’t make sense to anybody but them.  Leaving her son must have seemed like wringing the last drop of blood out of her agonizing heart.  It is possible to see and feel the greatness of one’s needs, so that we are afraid to listen to their voice.  Hagar is a true picture of one who is completely devoid of strength and resources.  The words of Paul come to mind:  You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly (Romans 5:6).  Christ is help for the helpless; He is strength for the weak and He is salvation for the lost.

2. God’s Timely Words of Comfort, verse 17b.  What a magnificent statement.  God heard and offered a tremendous promise.  Is this not a fulfillment of Isaiah 50:4— 

The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue,
to know the word that sustains the weary.

Man’s trial is God’s opportunity.  Remember, it was “while we were yet sinners Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).  God’s word, “Fear not” is always followed by His Divine fullness (Isaiah 41:10). 

• The provision, verse 19a.  There was Hagar, sitting and waiting to die while her salvation was just a few feet away!  Spiritually, this is the state and condition of many who are even now perishing for lack of knowledge all the while the Word of life and truth is sitting by their beds, or even ringing in their ears.
• The preparation, verse 19b.  She didn’t see it until her eyes were opened by the hand of God.  Consider the great provisions of our glorious Gospel:  (1)  The outward work done by Christ on the Cross; (2)  the inward work of the Holy Ghost done on the human heart.  The deep, deep well of atonement, without the eye-opening power of the Spirit of God, cannot be seen.  May God open all our eyes to what is ours in Christ!
• Her acceptance, verse 19c.  She could not make the water she needed, but she could, with God’s help, take the water freely offered her.  Sinners are not asked to make their salvation, but to reach out and take it (Revelation 22:17).  Can you imagine what an amazing revelation this must have been to Hagar?  Here was revealed to her:  (1) Her own blindness.  It was only when her eyes were opened that she realized how blind she had been.  (2)  The goodness of God.  God had made the provision for her and gave the ability to see that provision.  But consider this:  God gave her the ability, but she still needed to fill the bottle.  That was her responsibility.  What a terrible responsibility to have your eyes opened and yet still refuse the take the blessings revealed!  As the hymn writer wrote, “In the Fountain opened for sin and uncleanness there is enough to fill every bottle to satisfy every heart.”
• The result, verse 19d.  In accepting God’s provision, Hagar saved both herself and her son.  This calls to mind Acts 16:31—

“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”