DESPAIR TO HOPE

“What ails you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is” – Genesis 21: 17b

The Word of God turns DESPAIR to HOPE: “And God heard the voice of the lad. Then the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said to her, “What ails you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is. Arise, lift up the lad and hold him with your hand, for I will make him a great nation” (Gen.21: 17-18). Hagar had been mistreated, pushed down, and pushed round. The first part of her story in Genesis 16:1-15 showed that after she had Ishmael and as he was growing through childhood, Sarah finally got pregnant and gave birth to Isaac. Then, Sarah requested that Abraham “cast out this bondwoman and her son” and God permitted him (vv.9-13).

Although Abraham was displeased and distressed with Sarah’s demand for him to get rid of Hagar and her son, Ishmael, God said to him, “Do not let it be displeasing in your sight because of the lad or because of your bondwoman. Whatever Sarah has said to you, listen to her voice; for in Isaac your seed shall be called. Yet I will also make a nation of the son of the bondwoman, because he is your seed” (vv.12-13). That was a Word of Hope in the midst of distress. He assured Abraham that not only Isaac but Ishmael also will become a nation. That means that the boy would survive this adverse adventure. The challenging part for Abraham now was that he had to put his full trust in God.

Up until then, Abraham as the household head, had full control over Ishmael’s life. Now, he must give up control and trust God to take charge. He promptly submitted to God’s Will: “So Abraham rose early in the morning, and took bread and a skin of water; and putting it on her shoulder, he gave it and the boy to Hagar, and sent her away. Then she departed and wandered in the Wilderness of Beersheba” (v.14). As his last act of kindness and love, he personally gave them some food and water, and sent them off not knowing what will happen to them. At this time, Abraham was no longer in despair because God had promised that it will all work out according to His great plan and purpose.

Hagar’s Story further demonstrates how God turns despair to Hope for the abandoned and the rejected. Hagar had been wandering around in the wilderness with her son. The food and water were gone and the sun was hot and maybe a vulture or two were circling overhead. Hagar thought it was the end. Not long ago, she was protected by Abraham. All that she needed for herself and her son were provided, but now she was staring death in the face (vv.15-16). So, she found a shade under a bush and laid Ishmael down. The child was hungry, thirsty, and crying. She couldn’t bear to watch her only son die; so, she left him there under the bush, sat not too far away, and started to sob.

Mother and son were in despair, at death’s doorstep. But again, God spoke a Word of Hope into the despair, reiterating the promise that He gave to Abraham to make Ishmael into a great nation (vv.17-18). In the midst of her despair, when Hagar thought that all was lost, God heard the voice of the lad, and promised that he would survive. Then, He opened her eyes to see a well and the life-giving water in it (v.19). She filled the same skin that Abraham had given her, took it to her son as he laid under the bush and gave him a drink. She still doesn’t know what the future held but at least the immediate tragedy was averted. When we see God at work in little things, it enables us to put our trust in Him for ever bigger things. God is true to His promises. When we turn things over to Him, He takes our despair and turns it into Hope.