Gen. 16 – Life’s Issues
Dear family and friends, in Genesis 16 we study Hagar, the daughter of Pharaoh, the maidservant of Sarah, the wife of Abraham and the mother of Ishmael. Hagar wore a variety of hats. She lived and served around Sarah, Abraham, and visiting dignitaries. She was accustomed to angels visiting. Can we imagine the uniqueness Hagar faced in her daily interpersonal and social relationships? Hagar’s life was complex. We enjoy 21st Century communication devices that were unavailable to Hagar. How did Hagar unwind? Who did Hagar share her daily frustrations and accomplishments with? Who did Hagar take walks with? How did Hagar transition from being Pharaoh’s daughter, the princess of Egypt to being Sarah’s maidservant? How did she adjust from being served in her father’s palace to living in tents and serving Sarah the wife of a nomad? What was it like for Hagar to learn and follow the Spiritual Path of The Torah?
As time passed pressure mounted between Hagar the maidservant and her Mistress Sarah. Holy Scripture Informs us, Sarai dealt harshly with her. She fled from her face. She is about to explode so she runs away. As she was fleeing she encountered an angel sent from The Lord.
Genesis 16.7
And an angel sent by The Lord found her by the spring of water in the desert, by the spring on the road to Shur. And the angel said,‘Hagar, Sarai’s maid, where did you come from? and where will you go?’
And Hagar said I flee from the face of my mistress, Sarai.
And the angel sent by The Lord said to her, ‘Return to your mistress, and submit yourself to her domination.’
Sometimes the pressure mounts for us. Pressure, stress, and anxiety seem to be coming in from every direction. We become befuddled and confused. We don’t know what to do. We feel desperate! When David was feeling ruffed up by all that was happening in his world he shared how he felt.
Psalms 55
David said, ‘My heart inside me is in anguish, and the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me, and horror has overwhelmed me. And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! For then I would fly away, and be at rest. Behold, then I would wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah. I would hasten to find a refuge from the windy storm and the tempest.’
Psalms 55.23
Transfer, transmit, remove, dismiss onto The Lord, what you are given for He is your support your nourishment. He will not allow tottering, faltering, slipping, collapsing, declining for the righteous, to eternity.
Each of us has difficult days. If we read The Torah and The Psalms they will help deliver us out of the anguish we are feeling. The angel asked Hagar, ‘Where did you come from? and Where will you go?’ Can anyone think of a better place to be than living in the shadow of a Sage and learning from his instruction?
There is a place in life where I fled from living in a community where Torah was taught. It was a colossal mistake! That is what is important to understand. Normally it is better to hang in there and hold on to The Holy Scriptures. It frequently beats the alternative of getting lost out on some lonely deserted highway.
Dear Ones, God Willing we will share some time together. May we stay within Torah’s Guidelines Of righteous living and repentance. May we help others, May we bring peace and healing to our world. May this coming Sabbath and every Sabbath be a blessed Day.
Good Sabbath!
Dr. Akiva Gamliel Belk
