How unspeakably hard it must be to receive the news that your unborn baby is suffering from a serious medical condition. The anticipated happy event suddenly becomes overshadowed with anxiety and dread. Hopes are dashed as the future seems bleak. The news that Hagar, the servant of Sarah, wife of Abraham received was not medical but a terrible description of what his character would be like. What mother would want to hear the words ‘He shall be a wild donkey of a man, his hand against everyone and everyone’s hand against his. He will live in hostility towards his brothers.’ Genesis 16:12
Hagar seemed to have a very hard life, used as a fertility machine and twice banished from her home. Mind you, she wasn’t completely innocent, she was extremely unkind towards the barren Sarah. But this was all part of God’s plan (which we will never fully understand) God didn’t desert her. Just as she feared her son was dying from thirst, God opened her eyes to see a nearby well. With my own unseeing eyes, I wonder why Hagar didn’t see the well before. I know, God veiled her eyes.