One of the interesting things I found as I looked for the meaning of Hagar's name was the idea that she was remarried to Abraham as Kenturah! Uh...no, I don't think so.
Once she conceives she disdains Sarai, who becomes upset and complains to her husband Abram, who tells her to do as she pleased. Sarai pleased to deal 'hardly' with Hargar, who then fled.
I was captured by the phrase 'angel of the Lord' - Hagar wasn't out looking for God. Though interestingly she was by a fountain of water when the angel of the Lord 'found' her. Whereas when she and Ishmael are turned out, she cant find water.
Gen 16:7 And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.
Gen 16:9 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.
Gen 16:10 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.
Gen 16:11 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.
angel - H4397 - From an unused root meaning to despatch as a deputy; a messenger; specifically of God, that is, an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher).
of the Lord - H3068 - From H1961; (the) self Existent or eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God: - Jehovah, the Lord.
Gen 21:12 And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.
Gen 21:16 And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.
Gen 21:17 And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.
H430 - Plural of H433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative.
God's definitely looking out for Hagar and Ishmael...which is interesting. God didn't have to 'find' Hagar out in the wilderness (not that He had to really 'look'). He didn't have to send her back, allow Ishmael to spend 13+ years living under the dominion of Abraham. He didn't have to 'hear' the voice of the lad and show Hagar the water.
Yet He did...He has a plan and a purpose for everything that happens, even allowing the bondwoman's child to become a nation. A nation that would cause problems for His chosen people. All to glorify Him...all the trials and tribulations of our lives are designed by Him to purify and purge us...He could allow life to be 'easy' yet He doesn't. The question is always, "Do you trust me?"
Do I? Do I trust God to work everything out to His good will and glorification? Even when I don't like it? Or it doesn't 'feel' good? So much growth, so little temporal time. *sigh*
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