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Genesis 16 – Praying through the Bible #6 – A Prayer of Returning Pain
This will be short, but not sweet. We suffer because of decisions of others; and others suffer because of our decisions. This is true in annoying ways such as having to show ID, and sign for Sudafed because idiots use it to make meth. This is also true in ways way beyond annoying, happening even without our awareness where distress persists in the dark.
Even good intentions can’t stop our own selfishness and subsequent suffering. So myopically, we think we can solve God’s promises. The result is pain. What were Sarah and Abraham thinking in Genesis 16? Short story shorter, Hagar gets pregnant, gets haughty, gets mistreated, and runs away.
You know who else causes suffering? Keep reading. Found by the mysterious “Angel of the LORD,” He tells her to “go back to your mistress and submit to her authority” (16.9). Submission is one of scripture’s constant themes and mankind’s constant failure. Amazingly she obeys.
This is where I do not get all theological and philosophical, and posit that pain leads to praise – because that is not the point of the text. Neither will I get historical and point to God saying peace would result – because that is not what happens. What must not be overlooked is Hagar is somewhat responsible for her own suffering. She mistreats Sarah (16.5). What she sows she must now reap. Plus, in running away, did she even think of another…her child?
Hagar returns submitting to the voice of God. Hagar listens because she sees God, evening naming Him, “The God Who Sees.” That’s all well and good for her, but what about us? We don’t literally hear and see God. Why should we obey the passages of scripture teaching submission and suffering? Jesus said, “Those who believe without seeing are blessed” – John 20:29 (HCSB).
Our prayer challenge today is to examine our life for pain. What pain have we caused others? What pain are we suffering because of others? What pain have we caused ourselves? Who do we have trouble submitting to? Our tendency is to ignore and escape. Pray for strength to endure the reactions to our own actions. Don’t pray to escape, pray for forgiveness. Maybe through suffering we learn not to mistreat others.
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