Gen 21:16-21
Hagar cried out (perhaps to the Lord, but it is not stated in the text) and wept. But v17 says that God heard the voice of the lad. The scripture never records what Ishmael said or prayed.
v17 – the angel of God – is this just “an” angel?
v19 – “Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water.” OK this is the interesting part to me. This is 1 of 2 things.
One: There was a well of water present, but God hid it from Hagar and kept her from being able to see it…
“God opened her eyes…” all the cross references (Gen 3:7, Num 22:31, 2 Kin 6:17, Luke 24:31) all refer to an understanding or to a spiritual eye-opening. Adam and Eve knew they were naked; Balaam saw the Angel of the Lord; Elisha’s servant saw the spiritual army; the people realized it was the resurrected Christ.
How many times am I so focused on the physical situation around me or that I am in that I do not see the spiritual help/aide/comfort/resolution right in front of me? Hagar had been wandering with her son, and I’m sure they were searching for water (because v15 said the water in the skin was used up). The longer they looked, the more thirsty they became, the harder (I imagine) they looked, until they were exhausted and gave up.
What a great application! God moves in us and for us when we get beyond our own strength and abilities. When we get to the end of me. Building 429 has a great song out right now called “At the End of Me” that are very appropriate to this passage. (Building429 “At the end of me” lyrics)
I was the one to call the shots Dream-eyed dreams, heart and soul Answered only to myself Never giving up control Until the one day that brought me to my knees And I would never be the same Chorus: Once upon a time the story goes I laid it all down and let it go To lose it all To lose it all Took a step of faith and said goodbye And everything I had I left behind To find true life When all I longed for I found finally At the end of me And now the gone is wasted days The selfish soul, the emptiness Love had dimly been replaced That old life is laid to rest And now the new me is stronger day by day I will never be the same Chorus Bridge: And like an answer to a prayer Jesus you were there Calling me to live to die to give to gain And I’ll never be the same Chorus
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnxwCE3bCQk]
OR Two: There was no well of water there at all and God miraculously created one.
The second application could be around the miracle provision of God when we are in need and when we recognize that we are in need. Too often, we don’t even realize how needy we are.
Additionally:
What is the significance of Ishmael taking a wife from Egypt – where Hagar came from – and not from the land of his father?
Symbolism:
angel of the Lord – who is it?
well of water / Holy Spirit
dehydration / spiritually dry
weeping & near-death / brokenness