Looking for Revealed Meaning

Scripture: But Sarai and Abram had no children. So Sarai took her maid, an Egyptian girl named Hagar. Genesis 16:1

Observation: Hagar is Egyptian. At this point in time in Abram's history, this likely means she became Sarai's maid during the time that the two of them were in Egypt, when Abram had lied about Sarai being his wife and thus Sarai was taken as a wife of Pharaoh and member of his harem. This may even logically mean Hagar was herself a gift to Sarai given by Pharaoh.

This detail - the nationality of Hagar - is often overlooked. It may be meaningless ... she had to come from somewhere. If meaningless, why say it at all? If meaningful, why not have mentioned Hagar back when Abram and Sarai were in Egypt? It may be in the timing that meaning is acquired. It was not important that Sarai left Egypt with a new maid, but it is important that Abram's first son will be half Egyptian.

Application: There is a difference between informed analysis the bible - any book really - and uninformed study. In chapters 15 and 16 of Genesis, we are introduced to two leaders of Abram's household ... Hagar, an Egyptian maid who becomes Abram's second wife; and Eliezer, Abram's steward who would be his most likely heir since he has no sons. I can ponder and research all I want about these two, but I struggle to find true meaning associated with their backstories.

Yet I find meaning in their faith. Hagar surrenders to the Lord's instructions and gives him one of the strongest names in the bible, El Roi. Eliezer will later be the servant who discerns Rebekah to be the proper wife for Isaac. I have actually found meaning in both of those passages in the past.

So while I may not understand how Hagar being Egyptian - and the implicit origin story that comes with that - applies to my life, I can apply the truths about her pain, prayers, spiritual encounters with God, and faith, to my life.

Prayer: Lord, I may not always be able to discover new truths within your word, but I know I can always discover your instructions, hope, love, and guidance. May I seek your word with all my heart, and may you bless me with your meaning and discernment and wisdom and knowledge as you see fit for me. Amen.