Genesis 16:7

Genesis 16:7 says, And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.  God sent a messenger to Hagar.  This is the first record of the appearance of an angel. She may have felt all alone, but God had not about abandoned her, even if those who were to represent Him had.  We have to be careful as followers of Christ that we do not begin to feel that other people deserve God's punishment and not His forgiveness.  Sarai may have looked down on Hagar, but Hagar had simply done what she was basically forced to do.  Verse eight states, And he said, Hagar, Sarai’s maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.  The angel first asked Hagar where she came from and where was she going.  This is the same question everyone must answer when they encounter Christ.  Hagar said she was fleeing from her mistress Sarai and she didn't say where she was going, because I don't believe she knew.  When we encounter Christ, we are fleeing from God at that point, and not because God has mistreated us, and we really don't know where we are going.  Verse nine declares, And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.  This is probably not the answer that Hagar was looking for, but it was God's answer to her.  God may not always give us the answer we are looking for, but if it is God's answer, we like Hagar must decide whether or not we will obey Him.  Verse ten adds, And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.  God promised Hagar that she would be the mother of a great multitude as well.  We need to remember that these were also descendants of Abram, though they were not the descendants of the covenant.  Hagar was not punished by God for the sins of Sarai and Abram.  Verse eleven continues, And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.  This was before ultrasounds, but the angel told Hagar not only that she was expecting a child, but also that her child would be a son.  She was to name him Ishmael, which meant that the LORD had heard her affliction.  Verse twelve concludes, And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.  Ishmael was to be a wild man, but one who could stand his own against anyone.  Verse thirteen says, And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?  Hagar said God saw her, and asked if she also looked to Him.  We can be certain that God always sees us, but the question is do we look to Him and surrender to His will.  Verse fourteen adds, Wherefore the well was called Beerlahairoi;behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.  We are told the name and given the location of the well.  Verse fifteen states, And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son’s name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael.  Hagar had Abram's son, and Abram named him Ishmael.  We must conclude that Hagar told Abram what happened at the well.  When God does something in our lives, we should always be willing to tell others, especially those closest to us.  Verse sixteen says, And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.  Abram was eighty six at this time, and still waiting for God to fulfill His promise.  We must never become impatient with God, no matter how old we are.