Page:An Exposition of the Old and New Testament (1828) vol 1.djvu/136

104 family, which those ought to consider, who have that advantage, yet upon every slight inducement, are forward to quit it. [2.] "Whither wilt thou go? Thou art running thyself into sin, in Egypt." (if she return to that people, she will return to their gods,) "and into danger, in the wilderness" through which she must travel, Deut. 8. 15. Note, Those who are forsaking God and their duty, would do well to remember not only whence they are fallen, but whither they are falling. See Jer 2.18. What hast thou to do (with Hagar) in the way of Egypt? John 6. 68.

(2.) Her answer was honest, and a fair confession; I flee from the face of my mistress. In which [1.] She acknowledges her fault in fleeing from her mistress, and yet, [2.] excuses it, that it was from the face, or displeasure of her mistress. Note, Children and servants must be treated with mildness and gentleness, lest we provoke them to take any irregular courses, and so become accessary to their sin, which will condemn us, though it will not justify them.

(3.) How he sent her back, with suitable and compassionate counsel, v. 9, "Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hand. Go home, and humble thyself for what thou hast done amiss, and beg pardon, and resolve for the future, to behave thyself better." He makes no question but she would be welcome, though it does not appear that Abram sent after her. Note, Those, that are gone away from their place and duty, when they are convinced of their error, must hasten their return and reformation, how mortifying soever it may be.

10. And the angel of the said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude. 11. And the angel of the said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the  hath heard thy affliction. 12. And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren. 13. And she called the name of the that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me? 14. Wherefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.

We may suppose that the angel having given Hagar that good counsel, (v. 9.) to return to her mistress, she immediately promised to do so, and was setting her face homeward; and then the angel went on to encourage her with an assurance of the mercy God had in store for her and her seed: for God will meet those with mercy, that are returning to their duty: I said, I will confess, and thou forgavest, Ps. 32. 5.

Here is,

I. A prediction concerning her posterity, given her for her comfort in her present distress. Notice is taken of her condition; Behold, thou art with child; and therefore this is not a fit place for thee to be in. Note, It is a great comfort to women with child to think that they are under the particular cognizance and care of the Divine Providence, God graciously considers that case, and suits supports to it.

Now, 1. The angel assures her of a safe delivery, and that of a son, which Abram desired. This fright and ramble of her's might have destroyed her hope of an offspring; but God dealt not with her according to her folly; Thou shalt bear a son: she was saved in child-bearing, not only by providence, but by promise.

2. He names her child, which was an honour both to her and it; call him Ishmael, God will hear; and the reason is, because the Lord has heard; he has, and therefore he will. Note, The experience we have had of God's seasonable kindness to us in distress, should encourage us to hope for the like help in the like exigencies, Ps. 10. 17. He has heard thy affliction. Note, (1.) Even there where there is little cry of devotion, the God of pity sometimes graciously hears the cry of affliction: tears speak as well as prayers. This speaks comfort to the afflicted, that God not only sees what their afflictions are, but hears what they say. (2.) That seasonable succours, in the day of affliction, ought always to be remembered with thankfulness to God. Such a time, in such a strait, the Lord heard the voice of my affliction, and helped me. See Deut. 26. 7. Ps. 31. 22.

3. He promises her a numerous offspring, v. 10, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, Hebr. Multiplying, I will multiply it, that is, multiply it in every age, so as to perpetuate it. It is supposed that the Turks at this day descend from Ishmael; and they are a great people. This was in pursuance of the promise made to Abram, ch. 13, 16, I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth. Note, Many that are children of godly parents, have, for their sakes, a very large share of outward common blessings, though, like Ishmael, they are not taken into covenant; many are multiplied that are not sanctified.

4. He gives a character of the child she should bear, which, however it may seem to us, perhaps was not very disagreeable to her, v. 12, He will be a wild man; a wild ass of a man, so the word is; rude and bold, and fearing no man; untamed, untractable, living at large, and impatient of service and restraint. Note, The children of the bondwoman, who are out of covenant with God, are, as they were born, like the wild ass's colt; it is grace that reclaims men, civilizes them, and makes them wise, and good for something. It is foretold, (1.) That he should live in strife, and in a state of war; his hand against every man, that is his sin; and every man's hand against him, that is his punishment. Note, Those that have turbulent spirits, have commonly troublesome lives; they that are provoking, vexatious, and injurious to others, must expect to be repaid in their own coin. He that has his hand and tongue against every man, shall have every man's tongue and hand against him; and he has no reason to complain of it. And yet, (2.) That he should live in safety, and hold his own against all the world; he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren; though threatened and insulted by all his neighbours, yet he shall keep his ground, and, for Abram's sake, more than his own, shall be able to make his part good with them: accordingly we read, ch. 25. 18, that he died, as he lived, in the presence of all his brethren. Note, Many that are much exposed by their own imprudence, yet are strangely preserved by the Divine Providence; so much better is God to them than they deserve, who not only forfeit their lives by sin, but hazard them.

II. Hagar's pious reflection upon this gracious appearance of God to her, v. 13, 14. Observe in what she said,

1. Her awful adoration of God's omniscience and providence, with application of it to herself; she called the name of the Lord that spake unto her, that is, thus she made confession of his name, this