Nougat 22

As I read today’s Holy Nougat, I noticed the issue of naming. Let’s chew on it for applications to our lives.

‬‬ “He said, “Hagar, Sarai’s slave-girl, where have you come from and where are you going?” She said, “I am fleeing from the presence of my mistress Sarai.”” Genesis‬ ‭16:8‬ ‭TLV‬‬

“Sarai’s slave-girl” …

When on the run from Sarai’s oppressive treatment, I am confident that being identified with Sarai was Hagar’s least desire. Yet that was God’s greeting. True, God called her by name, when she had become a nameless object to both Abram and Sarai; but this greeting still named her in respect of her servitude.

I would not wish to speak definitively on the matter (and there are theories about who wrote the text that may impact interpretation !); nevertheless I propose that the use of the appellation, ‘Sarai’s Slave’, seems to have been a hint that God was already planning to send her BACK to Sarai’s. Back to the figurative wilderness where she would be vulnerable and totally reliant on God.

That God’s calling Hagar is followed by a very obvious rhetorical question, further substantiates my premise that God was preparing her for the Return. For, one might argue that it should be rather obvious, especially To God, What Hagar was about.

She was headed ‘Away’. Anywhere Away From Sarai’s bitter abuse. And that’s essentially what she told God.

With one slight insertion.

She also referenced Sarai as her mistress! As in, she NAMED her oppressor! That is a very Loaded statement. For, in many cases of abuse, it is hard for the victimized to name the perpetrator. (And yes, I see Sarai’s treatment of Hagar as abuse. No nice language to cover up the facts, that is what it is).

But Hagar does.

And in naming, power to overcome the system is possible.

Rather than try to justify Why Hagar had to return; I will focus on God’s questions and its implications for us. In a world where 1 in 3 women is a victim of abuse aimed at them because of her gender; I would dare to presume that there are some amongst us who have been victimized by race and/or class, caste, ethnicity, education, physical attributes in addition to gender – whether male or female. I would further presume that amongst those who have been down that road, there are those who sought refuge from the abuse.

From the nougat I sense that when we seek solace from our situations of distress or abuse, having a clear vision/plan is key. For, after naming her and including her perpetrator in the naming, God’s question implies that Hagar should have a clear plan.

‘Where are you going?’, is response-seeking and open to clear, even detailed plans. Do we have contingency plans for our own escape from the Sarai situations we will face in life? And, should we be counted amongst those who have never faced abuse (Sarai had her fair share from Abram too!); how are we going about helping the Hagar’s escape to safety?

You see, despite the sinful nature of Abram and Sarai’s abuse of Hagar, God’s plan included Ishmael living. And dying in the wilderness was not part of the plan. Nor is it God’s plan for us. God’s desire is that we live; not perish now or later.

Are we being called by our oppressor’s name? How do we feel about it? Why do we need to hear the appellation? Take heart, it’s time to plan – to seek God’s face for what, when and how to get out of the situation.

Where are we coming from and where are we going?

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May all we seek be found in Christ