Hagar, Treated Unjustly but Seen by Godಮಾದರಿ

Hagar had to turn back

“[Hagar] said, ‘I am fleeing from my mistress Sarai.’ The angel of the Lord said to her, ‘Return to your mistress and submit to her.’” (Genesis 16:8-9)

Try to put yourself in Hagar's situation. And then read the command she received from the angel: to return and submit to Sarai. That's quite a challenge, don't you think? When I read the story of Abram, Sarai and Hagar, I sense indignation bubbling up at the way Hagar was treated. Her situation was not just or loving. She was exploited and oppressed. And yet, the angel did not tell her to leave or stand her ground. On the contrary, she had to conform to her role as Sarai's servant.

A similar assignment is given to slaves in the New Testament. In Titus 2:9 (NIV) we read, “Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything.” The apostle Peter exhorts his readers, “Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution... Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust” (1 Peter 2:13;18).

Note that the owners of these slaves are called to treat them as brothers - which erodes the system of slavery (see Philemon 1:15-17). But those who are exploited must accommodate themselves to their situation and serve God from there.

What do you think about this? Can you think of contemporary examples to which this principle applies?