Bible Reflections From Scripture Union Volume OneSample

The Single Mother
Read Genesis 21:1-21

God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, "What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there…” Genesis 21:17

The fulfilment of the divine promise in the birth of Isaac now presented problems for Abraham. As Isaac was growing up, the relationship between Sarah and Hagar was either not resolved amicably or had deteriorated in the three years since Isaac’s birth. At the same time, Sarah was concerned with Isaac’s inheritance rights. In the end, Abraham was faced with a difficult choice: he must choose between his sons.

Critics of Sarah’s cruel action would point out that in the first place, the problems were caused by Sarah’s own impatience and active manipulation. Making use of Hagar as the 'surrogate mother' was never in God’s plan, although He allowed it to happen. Hagar was like a slave woman used by the male and abused by the female of the ruling class.

Here we see the magnanimity of God. Indeed God’s thoughts are higher than human thoughts. God did not give an ‘either or’ ultimatum, even though the birth of Ishmael was not in His plan. Hearing Ishmael’s cry, God showed His compassion. He would fulfil His covenant with Abraham through Isaac without putting Ishmael into oblivion. Abraham was assured that Ishmael would be made a great nation as well.

Today, no less than a billion Muslims, 85 percent of whom live outside of the Middle East, revere Abraham as their ancestor.

God is able to work through imperfect people in complex situations to fulfil His purpose.

Today’s Hagar may be ‘the exploited faithful maid’, ‘the resident alien without legal recourse’, ‘the divorced mother with child’, ‘the homeless woman’, ‘the expelled wife’, ‘the single mother’, etc. Pray for these women.

How can your church help these modern Hagars?