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Theme Scripture: Genesis 21:15-2115 When the water in the skin was gone, she put the child under one of the bushes. 16 Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot, for she said, “Let me not look on the death of the child.” And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept. 17 And God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. 18 Up! Lift up the boy, and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make him into a great nation.” 19 Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. And she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink. 20 And God was with the boy, and he grew up. He lived in the wilderness and became an expert with the bow. 21 He lived in the wilderness of Paran, and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt.
Introduction:
In Genesis 21:8-21, we witness the story of Hagar and Ishmael, who, through circumstances beyond their control, find themselves wandering in the wilderness. This story is a powerful narrative of how God meets us in our most desperate moments, transforming our despair into hope and our wilderness into a place of divine provision. It also reveals deeper spiritual truths that resonate with the core of our Christian faith.
Circumcision
Before we look deeper into the passage, it’s important to grasp the significance of the births of Isaac and Ishmael. Ishmael was born before God established the covenant of circumcision with Abraham, a covenant that symbolized commitment and alignment with God’s promises (Genesis 17). Ishmael’s birth represents human effort; Abraham’s attempt to fulfill God’s promise through his own means, which led to complications and tension within his household.
In contrast, Isaac was born after the covenant had been established, symbolizing the fulfillment of God’s promises through divine intervention. This distinction teaches us that when we act outside of God’s timing and covenant, our efforts, though potentially fruitful, can lead to difficulties. However, when we wait on God and act within His covenant, the results align with His divine purpose and bring about true blessings.
Abraham’s Grievous Obedience
When Sarah demanded that Hagar and Ishmael be sent away, it as a "grievous" matter for Abraham. Genesis 21:11-12 tells us that it was deeply distressing for him to say goodbye to his son. The word translated as "grievous" in this passage means to shake violently, like curtains blowing in the wind. Abraham was not only troubled by the situation but was also deeply moved within, perhaps even displeased with this turn of events. However, this was God’s command, and Abraham had to obey, even though it was painful.
What Abraham didn’t realize at the time was that this act of obedience was preparing him for an even greater test; when he would be asked to place Isaac on the altar. God was working in Abraham’s life, using each trial to strengthen his faith and trust in divine providence.
The Wilderness of Desperation
Genesis 21:14 describes how Hagar and Ishmael were sent away by Abraham, leaving them to wander in the Desert of Beersheba. The wilderness represents a place of utter desperation and isolation. The Hebrew word midbar (מִדְבָּר), used here for "wilderness" or "desert," signifies more than just a physical location; it symbolizes spiritual barrenness and the absence of human provision.
The wilderness experience can be likened to the seasons in our lives where everything seems dry and lifeless—financial struggles, broken relationships, or spiritual dryness where we feel disconnected from God. Just as Hagar wandered in the wilderness, unsure of her next step, we too may find ourselves lost and desperate in these challenging times. Yet, it is often in these wilderness moments that God’s power is most profoundly revealed. Did you know mana was provided when the children of Israel were walking in the wilderness.
Despite the distressing situation, God did not abandon Hagar and Ishmael. Ishmael was the son of Abraham, God’s friend, and because of God’s faithfulness to Abraham, He remained faithful to Ishmael as well. In Genesis 21:13 and again in verses 18 and 20, God reaffirms His promise that Ishmael would become a great nation. This promise was initially made in Genesis 17:20, and God kept His word, demonstrating His unwavering faithfulness.
The Arab world, which has its origins in Ishmael, stands as a testament to the fulfillment of God’s promise. This powerful and influential group of nations traces its roots back to this very moment in history.
Hagar’s Previous Experience at a Well
The event in Genesis 21:11-21 was not Hagar’s first encounter with God in the wilderness. Earlier, in Genesis 16, after fleeing from Sarah, Hagar found herself at a spring in the desert. There, the Angel of the Lord appeared to her, giving her a promise about her descendants who would be too numerous to count. Hagar named the place Beer Lahai Roi, meaning "the well of the Living One who sees me," recognizing that God had seen her in her distress. This was a moment of divine compassion, where God’s awareness of her plight brought comfort and reassurance. It was a revelation of God’s omnipresence and care.
This previous experience is crucial because it shows that God sees us in our suffering. The well at Beer Lahai Roi represents a place of divine encounter, where God meets us and reassures us of His presence and promises. Jesus is the place of Divine encounters. This encounter at the well in Genesis 16 and 21 reminds us that even in our darkest moments, God is not distant. He is watching over us, ready to intervene.
The Well as a Symbol of Jesus
The well in this story holds a deeper spiritual meaning that points us to Jesus Christ. Throughout the Bible, water is often symbolic of life and spiritual refreshment. Jesus, in the New Testament, is frequently associated with water and wells, most notably in His conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well.
In John 4:13-14, Jesus says to the Samaritan woman, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” Here, Jesus identifies Himself as the source of living water, the well from which eternal life flows.
The well in Genesis 21, then, can also be seen as a symbol of Christ. Just as Hagar’s eyes were opened to see the physical well that saved her and her son’s lives, our spiritual eyes must be opened to recognize Jesus as our well—our source of life, salvation, and sustenance. It’s a revelation that transforms our wilderness experience from one of despair to one of divine provision.
In Genesis 21, God opens Hagar’s eyes to see the well that was already there. This represents a different kind of divine interaction—one that requires Hagar’s participation. God’s provision was present all along, but Hagar needed her eyes opened to recognize it. This moment of revelation teaches us that the solutions to our problems are often already around us, but we need God’s help to see them. Our solutions are already in Jesus. Sometimes we struggle and look around but yet we just need Jesus for the critical answers of life.
When God sees you at the well, it’s a powerful reminder that He is watching over you, even when you are unaware of His presence. It’s like a parent who watches over their child, protecting them from unseen dangers. But when God opens your eyes to see the well, He invites you to take action, to engage with the provision He has already made available. He is revealing Himself to you. This is similar to that same parent teaching the child to recognize and use the resources around them, empowering them to move forward with confidence.
The Cry of Despair
It’s important to note that Ishmael was not a small child during this event; he was a teenager, at least fifteen years old. Understanding this context adds depth to the narrative, as Ishmael was fully aware of the dire situation and, like his mother, was deeply affected by the desperation they faced.
Ishmael and Hagar got lost in the wilderness, their water ran out, and they gave up in despair. This experience was quite different from the time Hagar first met God in the wilderness (Genesis 16:7ff.). Sixteen years earlier, she had found a fountain of water, but now she saw no hope at all. Apparently, Hagar had forgotten the promises God had made concerning her son, like we all do. As Hagar reached a point of complete despair, believing that death was imminent for her and her son, she sat down and began to sob. The cry of despair is deeply human and relatable. It’s that moment when the weight of our circumstances feels unbearable, and hope seems lost.
The Greek word krazo (κράζω), used in scripture for "cry," conveys a loud, desperate cry of distress. It’s not just a silent tear but a deep, guttural outcry from the depths of the soul. Many of us have faced moments where we feel abandoned, where the solutions we desperately need seem out of reach. But this passage reminds us that even in our despair, God hears us.
Divine Intervention and Provision
God’s response to Hagar’s despair is both immediate and powerful. In Genesis 21:17-19, we read that God hears Ishmael’s cry and sends an angel to reassure Hagar. “Do not be afraid,” the angel tells her. Then, God opens her eyes to see a well of water. This well was not something that magically appeared; it was already there, but Hagar needed divine intervention to recognize it.
The Hebrew word paqach (פָּקַח) used here for "opened" means to uncover or reveal. It signifies that God’s provision is often present, even when we can’t see it. But we need God to open our eyes, to shift our perspective from our problems to His provision.
As highlighted before, wells often symbolize life, sustenance, and God’s enduring provision. Now that we have a better understanding that the well can also symbolize Jesus Christ—the living water. In a spiritual sense, recognizing Jesus as our well is essential for our salvation and spiritual nourishment. He is the source of life that never runs dry, providing us with everything we need to thrive, even in the most desolate of circumstances.
So often in the trials of life, we fail to see the divine provisions God has made for us, and we forget the promises He has given us. We open our hands to receive what we think we need instead of asking Him to open our eyes to see what we already have. The answer to most problems is close at hand if only we have eyes to see (John 6:1-13; 21:1-6).
Hagar is certainly a picture of the needy multitudes in the world today: wandering, weary, thirsty, blind, and giving up in despair. How we need to tell them the good news that the water of life is available and the well is not far away (John 4:10-14; 7:37-39)! God is kind and gracious to all who call on Him because of His beloved Son, Jesus Christ.
The story of Hagar and Ishmael points us to a greater spiritual reality, the invitation to drink from the well of life, which is Jesus Christ. Jesus extends this invitation to all of us: “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink” (John 7:37). And in Revelation 22:17, the promise is reaffirmed: “And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Jesus is the well that never runs dry, offering eternal life and spiritual satisfaction to all who come to Him.
Conclusion
The story of Hagar and Ishmael is a powerful reminder that no wilderness is too desolate, and no situation is too desperate for God to intervene. He hears our cries, opens our eyes to His provision, and secures our future. If you find yourself in a wilderness today, know that God is with you. He sees your pain, He hears your cries, and He has already made provision for your needs. But more than that, He has given us the ultimate well—Jesus Christ, the source of living water.
If you are in a season of wilderness, lift up your voice to God. Trust that He hears you and that He has already provided a well of water, a source of life and hope right where you are. Open your heart to His guidance, and you will see His provision. More importantly, recognize that Jesus is your well, your source of eternal life, and everything you need. The book of Philippians 4:19 says; "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." Your wilderness is not the end; it is the place where God will reveal His glory and fulfill His promises in your life.
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