Trust and Obey

Genesis 16:9 - And the Angel of the Lord said unto her, "return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands."

Hagar has a big problem, she has found herself stuck between two no win choices.  If she goes forth, she has no provision or protection, if she goes back, she returns to a mistress that despises her.  She is in a desperate situation, and yet, as with Naaman, it is here that God intervenes.  She is met by the Angel of the LORD who gives to her a third option; trusting obedience."  What the Angel of the LORD has said she is to do will prove to be a great test to her - she must return, and so she did, she returned to the heavy hand of Sarai. 

Could it truly be the will of God for Hagar to return to Sarai and remain there under hurtful and troublesome circumstances?  This appears to be a most cruel thing that God requires of her.  And there is still a question, it too seems tauntingly cruel, "Where are you come from, and where are you going?"  The intent of the question is not so much to gather information, but to reveal a problem and need.  The question is in fact diagnostic in nature, it aims to reveal to her the hopelessness of her plan.  It forces her to consider the consequence of either choice she can make.  In either choice there is great trouble.  But in the midst of her despair, she is met with a God that is cognoscente of her dilemma and speaks directly to the circumstances in which she finds herself - - - simply put - God hears.  Genesis 16:11 says - The LORD has heard your affliction.

When we are in hopeless despair, our hopelessness and weakness touches the heart of God and he is quick to dispatch encouragement and assistance - the Angel of the LORDS is gracious in the face of her great desperation and reveals a third way for her to go - it is not an easy way - and not a way without its own discomforts  - it is the way of trusting obedience - it is the way of ultimate deliverance and salvation.