Wronged to Right
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The Life of Abraham: Living Out God’s Story | Wronged to Right
Bible Reference: Genesis 16:6-16
Big idea: We can work things out God’s way when we are wronged.
Wronged to Right
Have you been wronged before?
How have you learnt to deal with it and what does God’s word teach us about the proper understanding and response to wrongdoings in our lives, and in the lives around us?
We will find out 5 things about wrongdoings through Hagar’s life today:
#1 You will be Wronged Against
Gen 16:6
Abram replied to Sarai, “Here, your slave is in your power; do whatever you want with her.” Then Sarai mistreated her so much that she ran away from her.
Question: Who was the one in the wrong? How so? Everyone did wrong and everyone was wronged against.
In this story we see that everyone did wrong and everyone was wronged against. Hagar got proud and despised her mistress. Sarai abused Hagar, even though this situation was the outcome of her own action. Abram passively allowed everything to happen under his home, where he was the head of the home.
It is easy to feel like the only victim when suffering occurs in our lives. However, just like in Hagar’s case, things are often not as straightforward as it seems; however, the next principle is what we can be definitively sure of.
#2 We are Wronged because the World is Wrong
Even though we have gained understanding that everyone in the story was wrong and was wronged against, one thing we have to know for sure when we are going through wrongdoing is that God does not do anyone wrong.
Despite God’s perfect will for man, man has freedom to make decisions in obedience or rebellion against God.
Romans 3:23
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
#3 God sees when we are Wronged
Gen 16:7-8
The angel of the LORD found her by a spring in the wilderness, the spring on the way to Shur. 8 He said, “Hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going?”
God came to Hagar in her suffering, like how the spring appeared in the wilderness for her. God speaks kind words to comfort Hagar in her suffering. In her solitude she encounters the God that loves her.
Psalm 34:18
The LORD is near the brokenhearted; He saves those crushed in spirit.
Luke 12:6-7
“What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows."
#4 God Desires us to do Right even when Wronged
Gen 16:8-9
She replied, “I’m running away from my mistress Sarai.” 9 The angel of the LORD said to her, “Go back to your mistress and submit to her authority.”
Even though Hagar was being abused in this situation, God tells Hagar to do the right things and go back to Sarai. He understood that was the best strategy for Hagar and Ishmael’s survival and future. Being wronged against is not a license for us to do wrong. God wants His children to follow His ways and be part of the solution. Ultimately we will see that God has a path of provision when we desire to please Him.
#5 God Turns Wronged to Right
Gen 16:10-12
10 Then he added, “I will give you more descendants than you can count.” 11And the angel also said, “You are now pregnant and will give birth to a son. You are to name him Ishmael (which means ‘God hears’), for the Lord has heard your cry of distress. 12 This son of yours will be a wild man, as untamed as a wild donkey! He will raise his fist against everyone, and everyone will be against him. Yes, he will live in open hostility against all his relatives.”
Even though she was wronged against, God promises to bless Hagar and her son Ishmael. Even now God is still blessing Hagar’s descendants. Leaning on God’s wisdom, instead of our own understanding, will always lead us to the path of God’s blessing.
So she named the LORD who spoke to her: “You are El-roi,” for she said, “In this place, have I actually seen the one who sees me?” That is why the well is called Beer-lahai-roi. It is between Kadesh and Bered. (Genesis 16:13-14)