What's Hagar Got to Do with Israel's Exodus?
By Dr. Nicholas J. Schaser
Genesis 16 introduces us to Sarai’s Egyptian maidservant, Hagar. After Hagar conceives by Abram, she begins to hold Sarai in less esteem (16:4). As a result, Sarai begins to mistreat Hagar so that she flees (16:6). This account of an Egyptian (Hagar) being mistreated and fleeing from a Hebrew (Sarai) is the inverse of the Hebrews being mistreated and fleeing from the Egyptians in Exodus—Genesis 16 foreshadows future events by offering the reader a mirrored image of what will happen to Israel during Egyptian captivity.
When Hagar disrespects her mistress, Sarai begins to “afflict” (ענה; anah) her until she “flees” (ברח; barach). Exodus uses the same Hebrew words to describe Pharaoh “afflicting” (ענתו; anoto, 1:11) the Israelites until they “flee” (ברח; barach) from Egypt in the exodus (14:5). Hagar’s affliction and escape from Sarai foreshadows Israel’s affliction and escape from Pharaoh. Moreover, “Hagar” consists of two Hebrew words: הָ (ha; “the”), and גֵר (ger; “stranger”). Hagar, “the stranger” from Egypt, provides a foundation for God’s later injunction upon Israel to “love the stranger (הַגֵּר; hager) for you were strangers (גרים; gerim) in the land of Egypt” (Deut 10:19 cf. Lev 19:34).
Finally, after God cares for Hagar in the wilderness, she calls the Lord a “God of seeing (ראי; roi)” (Gen 16:13). This scene anticipates the use of the same Hebrew word in Exod 3:7, when God says, “I have surely seen (ראה ראיתי; raoh raiti) the affliction of my people who are in Egypt” (cf. 3:9; 4:31). The story of Sarai and Hagar points to what God will make more explicit as Israel’s story unfolds: Israel is God’s specially chosen and beloved people, but God also provides loving care for those outside of Israel—for people like Hagar, the very embodiment of “the stranger.”
You can learn more profound insights (CLICK HERE for more)
