HAGAR

 



*23/08/2020*


FOURTH SUNDAY SERMON


THEME: *ANGELS: MESSENGERS OF GOD*


TOPIC: *ANGELS MINISTERED TO MANY PEOPLE*


SUB-TOPIC: *HAGAR*


Text: Genesis 16:7-13


#when she left Sarah#

*the Angel of the LORD:* This wonderful phrase is used to speak of God as He relates Himself directly to His people. Angel means "messenger".

*by a spring of water in the wilderness:* The detail is appropriate for Hagar's experience. There she was, alive with a child within her, and yet she had no place to go and no future. Hagar was like that spring in the wilderness.

*and He said:* On several occasions this passage states that the Angel of the Lord spoke directly to Hagar (vv.9,10,11). God's promise to Hagar to *multiply* her descendants is similar to the one given to Abram and Sarai (Genesis 15:5; 17:20; 22:15-18).

*Descendants* translates the Hebrew word for seed (for its use elsewhere, see Genesis 3:15; 15:3,5,13,18).

The name *Ishmael* uses the divine name El and means "God hears"

According to Genesis 16:12. This is something of a mixed blessing as is Isaac's to Esau (Genesis 27:39,40). *Wild man* suggests that Ishmael and his descendants would be unsettled, ever on the move.

*His hand ... against* suggests that his descendants would often be at war. Still this people would endure. They would *dwell in the presence of all his brethren*. This has indeed been the case, for Ishmael's descendants are the Arab peoples who populate most of the Middle East today. Very few of the peoples of the Old Testament world have survived to our own day. For example, all ten nations of Genesis 15:19-21 have ceased to exist. But two peoples survive: Israel, the Jewish people, descended from Isaac; and the Arabs, descended from Ishmael (Genesis 17:19-22).

Though Hagar was Egyptian, she had evidently come to faith in the *LORD* of Abram and Sarai. As a recipient of God's blessing, she gave Him a commemorative name, *You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees*.

Her words, *have I also seen him*, suggest amazement at God's grace and humility in His presence. After the death of Abraham, his son Isaac lived at *Beer Lahai Roi* (Genesis 25:11).


*Confession*

Lord please come to my aid whenever am confused or perplexed.

Hear me when I pray.

Be my source and provision.

*In Jesus name*

Amen.


*Copyright 2020. The Ecumenican Church Nigeria*

Instagram: *@ecumenicanchurch*

WhatsApp: *+2348052366039*

*www.johnifesanya.blogspot.com*

*#TEC#*

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