“So he (Abraham) went in to Hagar, and she conceived. And when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress became despised in her eyes” (Gen 16:4)

God promised a son to Abraham and Sarah. Thru that son, like the stars in the sky, many descendants will come. Many years have passed and there was no answer. For a short time, the old couple fell into doubt and this is how Hagar the house maid had a son for the master. From the moment she got pregnant, she despised her barren old mistress. She became proud. God’s blessing of a child did not make her humble or grateful, but arrogant. Foolishly, Hagar forgot that Sarah bought her with money as a slave. The word ‘despise’ in Hebrew means to curse, to hate, to look at another as too small for notice, as if that person has no value as a human being. This is a very important lesson. The religious men persecute the true believers!!! They despise, look down and mock ‘the stars’.

We do not know how long Sarah kept silent under the hateful stares of Hagar. We do not know how long she contemplated if she should confront this issue or not. She wanted a baby so much that she was ready to endure every shameful behavior from Hagar. Like Hannah who endured so much painful persecution from her mate Peninah, she probably kept quiet for some time and just prayed. For as long as they remain barren, these women cannot talk. But once Isaac was born, Sarah’s courage revived and she took her place of authority in the home. She brought the matter to Abraham and boldly suggested the ‘casting out of the slave woman and her son’. The tables were overturned. God’s miracle of grace gave the victim the courage to confront and defeat the bully. Abraham was confused for a time and grieved for the loss of his first son Ishmael. He probably thought that Sarah is too harsh with ‘the poor maid’. But God confirms Sarah’s stand. Painfully, Abraham has to obey God. He sends Hagar and has son away. They wander in the wilderness for a time but they settle there at last. Ishmael becomes an archer. In Hebrew, the word means to be harsh, tough, cruel and stubborn. According to the prophecy, Ishmael shall be ‘a wild man’. He shall obey no one. He shall be over emotional, a man of the flesh, having the natural wisdom of this world, religious but unspiritual, a child of the devil. Hagar’s children represent men outside Christ. Their strength is in their numbers. They may intimidate with their profane words, well-built muscles and man-made weapons of war. By forsaking the God of the Bible, they become losers and reprobates. Their shout is empty and their victories a passing boast. God forbid!

Do you know how it feels to be despised and mocked, to be a victim of proud hateful religious evil spirits?
Are you a victim of oppression? Do you silently suffer in your marriage, in your home, in your church? That is not the best strategy! God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love and sound mind (2Tim 1:7). Come out of depression! Come out from darkness to light! For the sake of your soul, for the sake of your children, do not be cowards! Expose the wicked forces of darkness! The fear of man is a snare (PV 29:25). Fear only God! At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow! Come and talk to someone you trust! Go and meet your pastor and confess your pain! Do not suffer in silence! If you do not trust your pastor, then go to another church! Seek and until you find the way of escape for God will do it!

I separate myself from the spirit of the slave Hagar and her son!
Like Sarah, I will get married and I will have children!
My marriage is blessed!
My children are stars!
In Jesus name,
Amen!