What Happens When Ego Trumps Humility?

Now the angel of the LORD found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur. He said, “Hagar, Sarai’s maid, where have you come from and where are you going?” And she said, “I am fleeing from the presence of my mistress Sarai.” Then the angel of the LORD said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit yourself to her authority. Genesis‬ ‭16:7-9‬ ‭

The verses quoted above are a slice 😄 from the lives of Sarah/Sarai, Hagar and Abraham! Hagar was a maid in the house of Mr. and Mrs. Abraham. Well, it so happened that Sarah had given Hagar to Abraham to conceive through her and bring forth children. Sarah was barren until then and it was her idea to handover Hagar to Abraham.

FYI — Abraham wasn’t an ordinary man. He was rather a very rich man with lots of wealth, cattle, servants, sheep, oxen etc. In the olden days, a man’s riches were measured by all of these things mentioned above. The more he had the wealthier he was. And the Lord hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses. Genesis‬ ‭24:35‬

Now, even though Hagar was a maid she wasn’t treated like one in Abraham’s household. She held a good place just like anybody else in that family: almost like belonging to their family; even to the extent that Sarah was willing to give Hagar to Abraham to bring forth offspring for Abraham. That was the level of trust and love Abraham and Sarah had in and for Hagar.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t how Hagar reciprocated back to her Master and his wife, Sarah. Somewhere, Hagar began becoming proud and hard hearted and let that pride to have its work — it worked against Hagar. Had she been humble and grateful for all that both of them did for her, the story would have been different.

Hagar became pregnant and delivered a boy child for Abraham. She was so proud of herself (of becoming a mother; something that Sarah couldn’t achieve) that she began looking at Sarah with disdain ☹️ Soon after, we see Hagar despising Sarah because of her barrenness, and that was a cause of great grief and and dislike in Sarah’s heart. One day, Hagar decided to flee away from Abraham’s house along with her son because she was dealt harshly by Sarah.

WHAT AM I TRYING TO TELL YOU WITH ALL THIS?

When God blesses and honours us with good position, money, riches and prosperity, we must not, in anyway, become proud/haughty in our hearts. During this time, our eyes shouldn’t be fixed on what we’ve got, but rather look at the GIVER, who allowed all these blessings in our lives. The more we allow ourselves to be focused on material blessings, the more the chances of going away from the God who gave us these blessings in the first place.

Hagar could’ve had it better had she stayed along with Abraham and Sarah — she could’ve asked for forgiveness then and there. Problems may come, no doubt; which family does not face differences? Even then matters can be sorted out and peace restored once again. But Hagar chose to run away because her sufferings, at the hand of Sarah seemed unbearable.

May God help us to keep a close check on our heart and mind and see if there is any wicked thing lingering inside! If there is, let’s tackle it with haste and be delivered!!

Be blessed 💕