of Ham were indeed small, considering· her bodily condition ; but thither 'ivas · her, destination, and hence her arrestment by the angel of the Lord was a specio.l meroy. So Divine grace interposes to prevent those who have been onco enlightened from relapsing· to ~heir ol~ n~tuml con~itio~ of worldliness and sin. (3) By a foun!ain of wafer, bss1do v.•luch it may be 1magmed she had cast herself in sheer exhaustion . a'.1 emblem of tho~e. springs ?f refreshment, or wells of ~aca, which God has pro• nded for ~h~ spmtually d1sconsolate, and one of winch was being opened b.--: Jehovah's ns1t for the comfort of the unhappy bondmaid. _II. TnE ll'OUN'DLING IN~RROG;'TED. l. The qu_estion of the angel.· (1) The.design- at10ns used, Hagar, Sarai s maid, reveal the minuteness of tlie Divme knowledge .. God is acquainted with the names and the homes, tl1e conditions in life, and the con• stituent elements in the history of all men (Ps. cxxxix. 1-5). (2) The refei•ence to Hagar's original condition of servitude implies disapprobation of her union with Abram. No transaction can be safely pMsed as blameless until it has been reviewed and judged by God. (3) The inquiries addressed to Hagar were designed to convict l1er of sin. \Vhence had she come? From Abram's house, where the naine of God was worshipped ; from the presence of Sarai, who had a lawful claim upon her ser~ vice; from the land of Canaan, the inheritance of Abram's seed, of which, as she fondly hoped, she was about to become the mother-in all which she wat1 clearly committing wrong. Then whither was she going? Back again to Egypt, as the ultimate goal of her flight, while in the mean time she was exposing herself and her unborn child to serious peril. Doubtless these and other considerations of a similar sort arose within the breast of Hagar as she listened to Jehovah'e qJI.estionings. Vi'hen God examines souls they are truly, minutely, and completely searched. 2. 1'he answer of Hagar. (1) Promptly given. There was no sign of hesitancy or reluctance. The utmost frankness and cordiality should characterise a sinner's deal- ings ~ith God. (2) Briefly expressed. "She was fleeing from the face of Sarai her mistress." Comprehensive brevity should signalise our responses to ·God's interro~ gations. (3) Honestly declared. She had run away. If it was wrong, she made no attempt at concealment. Guileless acknowledg·ment of sin is a true mark of contrition. • III. THE w ANDERE& DIRECTED. 1. To return to Abram's house. The tent of Sarai, though to Hagar's quick Southron blood a place of, humiliation, was neverthe• less for her the true place of safety, both physically and .epiritual)y. The first connsel that God's word and spirit give to those who flee from. duty', forsake -the company of saints, and venture out upon perilous and sinful courses is" to stand•in the ways, and ask for the old paths" (Jer. vi. 16). 2. To submit to' Sarai's yoke. Her alliance v-ith tlie patriarch could not in God's sight alter her' original position as IL slave. Though soon to be the mother of Abram's seed, she was still a bondwoman, whose duty was submission, however galling to her hot blood, and however unrea- sonable it might seem in the case of one wl1ose child might yet inherit Canaan. God's people are required to abide in those stations in life in which they have been called, until they can be honourably released from them (1 Cor. vii. 20-22), and to endure those afflictions which God in his providence may impose, rather than im- petuously and sinfully endeavour to escape from them (Matt. xvi. 24). IV. THE DISCONSOLATE COMFORTED. 1. The richness of the offered consolation. (1) A gracious assurance-that she was an object of the Divine regard, ns this very visit proved ; of the Divine observation, since the Lord knew her condition ; and of the Divine compassion, for already he had heard her affliction-than which no sweeter consolation can be offered to either penitent bachlider or dejected sufferer. (2) A comfortaUe promise-that she should live to be the mother of Abram's seed, that her unborn babe should be a son, and that her son should develop into n bold, courageous, and prosperous man, and that through him she herself, an Egyptian slave-girl, should become the ancestress of a numerous and mighty people. God is ahle, even in respect of material and temporal benefits, to compensate for life's sorrows and tribulations, and to make up in one direction for what he takes awny in another. (3) An important instructwn--to name her child "Ishmael" when it should be born; partly as a memorial to herself of the Divine mercy, and partly ne 11 rcininder to her child of the sure Source of pro~pority, both personal and nntional, on. XVI. 7-16.] 'rHEl BOOK OF GENESIS. 231
temporal and spirit1ml. God's people should remember the right hand of the Most High (Pa. Ixxvii. 10), and seek advancement from him nlone (Ps. lxxv. 6, 7). 2. The efficacy of the offered consolation. (1) Adoriny gratitude. Hagar was amazed at the Divine condescension in pennittin&'. her to see God and yet live-a mercy denied to Moses on the mount (Exod. xxx1ii. 20) ; and the Divine grace which had imparted life and hope to her soul through this celestial visitation. (2) Mercy r,m,,embered. Hagar called the well Beer-lahai-roi, i. e. the well of seeing and living. The Divine loving-kindness is worthy of memorials, which also shoulc1 be written on the tablets of the heart when they cannot be expressed in words or enshrined in deeds. (3) Cheerful submistrion. Hagar returned to Abram'a house, submitted to Sarai's l1and, and in due time gave birth to Ishmael. The best evidence that grace has comforted the human heart is prompt compliance with the will of God. See in the angel's appearance to Hagar-1. An adumbration of the incarnation of our Lord Jestis Christ. 2. An illustration of God's care of those who are within his Church. 3. An indication of the kind of people that most attract the Divine notice and compassion. 4. A revelation of the tenderness with which he deals wilh sinners. 5. A proclamation of God's gracious readiness to forgive the erring.