Hagar: Serving

Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. And she had an Egyptian maidservant whose name was Hagar. Genesis 16:1)

Hagar’s introduction in scripture identifies her as an Egyptian maidservant. Simply stated, Hagar was a slave. That means she belonged to Sarai and was her close personal attendant for years. It seems it was an amicable relationship between master and slave, that is – until it wasn’t. Like any relationship, once the strain became too great and costly, its continuance was threatened, and Hagar became expendable. Sometimes there’s no recovery in circumstances like this. What happened? Sarai made an unthinkable demand of Hagar, which permanently changed the nature of their relationship. If you’re unfamiliar with her story, you can read it in its entirety in Women of the Bible and God’s Redeeming Love, Book One. Note that the Bible makes no mention of a strained relationship before Hagar endured an awkward, compromising situation at the hands of Sarah, the master she had served so faithfully.

Because we’re considering servants, let’s pause to examine servitude during biblical times to understand better their master/slave relationship and why Hagar complied. At best, and because it’s so minimal, let’s look at the upside first. Servants were part of something bigger than themselves, and by extension – a family of sorts. They had medical care, a roof (tent) over their heads, food, and clothing. The Bible says they were to be treated humanely at all times. Leviticus 25, Exodus 21, and Jeremiah 34 address and govern their servitude. Additionally, in the New Testament, Paul gave instructions governing their relationship in Colossians 4 and Ephesians 6. When we consider scripture’s suggested treatment, the golden rule comes to mind. Ideally, that means masters were to treat their slaves the way they would want to be treated if the roles were reversed. Overall, their performance of service was to be as “unto the Lord,” and masters were view their slaves as “belonging to God or slaves to God,” not man.

On the downside, there was no oversight of their care or treatment. If you had a good master or mistress, it was tolerable. If not, it was tragic, and life was long and hard. Biblical slaves had no privileges, opportunities, plans, choices and held no opinions. Essentially, they were nameless and all but faceless. Scripture provides no record of Abram or Sarai addressing Hagar by name - ever. Slaves had no money or possessions except what they had been given. They were bound to obedience and never interfered. They had one acceptable response to everything, and that was always yes! Apart from some exceptions during the year of Jubilee, most were servants for life and mere possessions of their masters. If you're wondering how they might gain their freedom, there was only one way! At the master's good pleasure - period. If a master determined to emancipate a slave, they could. It was exclusively their discretionary call.

What happened between Sarai and Hagar? After enduring many years of infertility, Sarah planned to use Hagar as her surrogate. Did she ask Hagar about the decision or consult her beforehand? Not that we can see from scripture. So, our answer is this: Of course not – she didn’t! Instead, she gave her servant to Abram for the express purpose of conceiving a child. Low and behold, they did it, and Hagar conceived! What was Abram thinking?

First and foremost, he wanted to please his wife because he loved her. I found it interesting that he never considered what it would do to their relationships – any of them. Or, since he was the first man of faith of record, why he might leave God out of the decision. Indeed, and particularly since we know from scripture that Abram sought God! I guess, to keep the peace and to please Sarai, Abram took Hagar into his tent and planted his seed within her womb.

Although we’ll never know what was said when Abram held Hagar, we know the results, and so did Sarai. Although her wishes were accomplished – Sarai found the results far less than satisfying – actually, bitter and distasteful! Even though we see from the Hebrew that Sarai assured Abram her very “happiness” was linked to fulfilling her request. In the end, it proved to be anything but the right, pleasing, or acceptable thing to do. And Sarai knew it!

We know what happened on that fateful day in the natural sense. But what was going on in the spiritual sense? Sarah had a lapse of faith and got ahead of God. It’s most curious to note that her lapse of faith caused doubt and angst among the trio and changed the course of their lives – permanently and ours, but that’s what sin does! Ishmael’s birth unleashed a hatred in the world that endures to this day! Wars and battles have been raging for some 6,000 years, and they will continue until our Prince of Peace – Jesus, returns. May we never forget this biblical truth: Without faith, it’s impossible to please God! (See Hebrews 11:6.) In that crucial moment, Sarai’s hope was in herself and Abram. It seems that she lacked any measure of faith in God. Therefore, she was found displeasing in His sight.

What’s the takeaway? We serve a Master, too! But, unlike Sarai, the Lord is a righteous and just God who has loved you from the foundation of the world and died to save you. So, believer, love Him and serve Him faithfully! Look heavenward, trust Him and wait on Him because Jesus has perfect plans concerning you, and He promises to see them through!

Prayer: Mighty and gracious Lord, empower us to serve you and others with gladness of heart. Give us kind and gentle spirits that emulate your elegant grace in service and joy for the journey! Sweet Jesus, if there’s an advantage to be won through service, may it always be in your favor! Amen and amen.