E-pistle for April 13, 2007
Posted by: info <info@...>
E-pistle
Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay Foundation April 13, 2007
Hagar, A Battered Victim
(Genesis 16:1-6)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
Have you ever felt misused, abused, and confused in your church situation?
Unresponsive leadership . . . unconcerned membership . . . "dying on the vine!" The
trials of Hagar in Genesis 16 and 21 could hold a message of encouragement and
hope for us all . . . because I, too, have felt that way more than once.
I. Lessons in Genesis 16:1-16
The circumstances weren't Hagar's fault! She was born an Egyptian, became a
slave of Sarah, was given to Abraham, became pregnant, was despised by Sarah, caused
a family turmoil, and was punished (probably beaten) by Sarah. All these events were
beyond her control.
Her solution was to run away. Often, this is our first reaction to problems which
come into our lives. Most of the time, however, running doesn't solve the problems.
God sought and found her. The Angel asked two questions, gave two orders, and
issued one promise:
"Where have you come from?" . . .
"Where are you going?" . . .
"Return." . . .
"Submit." . . .
"I will multiply your children."
The result of Hagar's personal encounter with God were threefold. First, revelation:
"You are the God who sees me," v. 13. Second, response: Hagar obeyed God's
orders. Third, results: God fulfilled His promise and Ishmael ("God hears") is born.
Note the progression – God sees Hagar; then Hagar sees God!
II. Lessons in Genesis 21:12-20
Here again Hagar is a victim . . . with very little or no choice in the matter. Her teenage
son scoffs at Sarah's toddler, and Sarah's hatred again surfaces. They family is upset due to
the husband's divided loyalties. Abraham, at Sarah's insistence, sends Hagar and her son,
Ishmael, away into the desert where, without water, they face certain death.
Note Hagar's reaction. She did the best she could for her son . . . (shaded him).
Brokenhearted, she withdrew a distance because she couldn't bear to watch him suffer and die
of thirst. Both she and the boy cried out in despair.
God responded to their cries. He heard (as Ishmael's name suggests), and He sent
an angel. The angel asks what is the problem, comforts ("fear not") and assures her that God
has heard, instructs her to lift and hold her son, promises a future for her offspring, and provides
for their need (water for thirst).
As we know from subsequent history, God fulfilled His promise to Hagar. Ishmael grew
into adulthood, becoming the father of the present-day Arabs.
Personal Application
I. You, Too, May Be A Victim Of Circumstances.
You may have no (or very little) control over your heritage, economics, social
status, even the health of your body. You may have been forced into an unhealthy relationship,
an unwanted pregnancy, an abusive situation. You may have been caught in the midst of
domestic turmoil not of your own doing, hated by members of your household, mentally,
emotionally, or physically abused, Or, maybe you've become embroiled in a church squabble.
In fact, you may have chosen the drastic step of running away from a seemingly unbearable
situation.
2. If So, Hear These Words.
God sees you and your problems. He knows all about you, and He cares.
He wants you to consider these questions: "Where have you come from?" and "Where
are you going?" He wants you to wait for His proper time to take action. Meanwhile, He
instructs you to return and submit. For this obedience, He promises a bright future.
3. Sometimes God's Purpose Is Best Carried Out By Staying Awhile In A Tough Situation
In His good time, your situation will develop . . . sometimes into blessings;
sometimes into cursing. At the proper moment, He may release you from the obligation of being
victimized . . . giving you the freedom to leave that situation or to avoid those harmful
circumstances. Moving away, however, is no guarantee of a life free from problems or difficulties.
4. It May Be That Going Out On Your Own Results In A Temporary Shortage Of The
Basic Necessities Of Life.
It may be that such a move results in poverty, despair, and a passive resolve to wait
for death to overtake you. If so, you must know these things as absolute truth:
1. God sees and hears,
2. God sends help because He is merciful and loving,
3. God gives a message of cheer, comfort, and encouragement,
4. God honors parents concerned about their children's welfare,
5. God fulfills His promises to meet needs and to give a future, and
6. God opens the eyes of hurting persons, allowing them to see His
purpose and provision.
Can any good come out of victimization such as Hagar suffered? (Or that you may be
suffering now?) Please note that it was Hagar not Sarah, who personally encountered God.
It was Hagar who heard God speak to her. It was Hagar who received God's word of
blessing. It was Hagar who enjoyed God's provision for her needs and the needs of her family.
As God worked in Hagar's life, He can and does work in ours as well. "We know that
all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called
according to His purpose," Romans 8:28 (NKJV).
Take Heed To Your Ministry
(Colossians 4:1-6; 17)
I. Concentration: on "taking heed" . . . paying attention
"Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord,
that you may fulfill it," Colossians 4:17.
1. Treat others justly and fairly, v.1.
2. Continue in earnest prayer, with vigilance and thanksgiving, v. 2:
(1) For us to have an open door for witnessing, v. 3.
(2) For us to be able to reveal clearly the message of Christ, vv. 3-4.
3. Walk in wisdom in the sight of those who are lost . . . making the best
possible use of your time, v. 5.
4. Answer spiritual questions with grace (God's gifting) and with the
preserving properties of salt in a decaying society, v. 6.
II. Meditation: on these major things that we should "heed"
1. Inter-personal relationships – Live by the "Golden Rule," Matthew 7:12.
2. Prayer life – "Pray without ceasing," I Thessalonians 5:17.
3. Daily walk and influence – Produce the "Fruit of the spirit," Galatians 5:22-23.
4. Spoken testimony and witness – "Be witnesses to Me," Acts 1:8.
III. Revelation: on the spiritual perspectives of these "heeded" things
1. Living the Christian life is not "pie in the sky by-and-by"; rather it involves
down-to-earth, practical day-by-day living in the "now."
2. Prayer for effective ministry is two-fold:
(1) For an open door of opportunity for service
(2) For power and guidance to reveal Christ's message clearly when
we go through that open door.
3. Spiritual matters should be given the major portion of our "free" time.
(The apostles gave themselves "continually to prayer and to the ministry
of the word," Acts 6:4. So should we! How much valuable time do we
Christians waste watching television or surfing the internet!)
4. A believer cannot adequately answer spiritual inquiries unless he:
(1) Treats other with love,
(2) fellowships with God in prayer, and
(3) uses his time wisely . . . with the proper priorities and with spiritual discipline.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Be friendly and courteous to all persons, exhibiting the sweet spirit of Christ
in all I do and say.
2. Pray for my church and other worthy Christian ministries . . . that God prosper and
use them mightily to accomplish His purposes.
3. Discipline myself to give clear priority of time to spiritual things, such as Bible study,
meditation, and prayer.
4. Be open to God's revelation about His truths and purposes . . . so that I may share
this God-given wisdom and knowledge with those who want to know Him better.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
"We contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a
man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle."
-Winston Churchill
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