The temper of Hagar, the feelings thus excited—­dark, sullen, bitter, revengeful—­when she fled from all, may have been impressed upon her offspring, and thus marked the future character of her race.

Still, Hagar was not alone.  The wanderer was not forgotten.  In the hour of darkness and of desolation, there is One nigh even to those who forget him.  “And the angel of the Lord found her by the fountain in the wilderness, and he said:  Hagar, Sarah’s maid, whence camest thou?  And whither wouldst thou go?”

She was not addressed as the wife of Abraham.  The conventional usage, so opposed to the positive institution, was not recognised and thus hallowed by Him who had established marriage; and while Hagar was pitied, she was reminded of her real condition.  “And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress, Sarah.  And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Return unto thy mistress and submit thyself under her hands.  And the angel of the Lord said, Thou shalt have a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael, because the Lord has heard thy affliction.  He shall 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.  And she called the name of the Lord that spake unto her, Thou God seest me, for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?” implying a recognition of the unexpected interference, protection and blessing of God.

The promises of God are always preceded by his commands, and the faith which clings to the promises is to be tested by the obedience which alone can make them availing.  And when the words of the angel came to the desolate soul of the woman in the desert, there were admonition, reproof, and command mingled with promise and blessing.  “Return to thy mistress.”  Return to thy duty, is the first requirement made of those God seeks out.

And Hagar humbled herself and obeyed the voice of the Lord.  She returned to her mistress.  Trying as it must have been to one so aggrieved, she submitted to her authority, and again became a member of the household of Abraham.  Had she disobeyed the angel, she and her child had doubtless perished in the wilderness; but in yielding her proud and arrogant temper, she secured the future blessing to her race, and insured the safety of her child, while her submission and gentleness must have won back Sarah to a kinder temper, to a more forbearing treatment.

After the birth of Ishmael, there intervened years—­long years—­in which Hagar tasted the bitterest cup ever presented to the lips of woman.  A wife unloved, neglected—­a mother disregarded—­a woman held in bondage by one who had made her a rival—­dwelling in the presence of him who had put her from him!  Her very presence brought reproach and sorrow to Sarah and Abraham—­the violation of the divine institution ever entailing its penalty.