An Angel…or the Lord?

Was Jesus the angel who appeared and spoke to Hagar—who was pregnant with Abraham’s child? Some commentaries and authors have indicated that Jesus was the angel that spoke to Hagar when she ran away from her mistress, Sarah. Have you ever seen an angel? I don’t think I have…but the author of Hebrews wrote about entertaining angel without being aware of them.

Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! Hebrews 13:2

Who knows? Maybe we have seen angels and didn’t even know it.

           

Stop Running Away
Go - Serve the Lord

Genesis 16 is the first time in scripture that an angel is mentioned. This angel—who is the Lord Jesus—spoke to Hagar and gave her wise advice. Go back to your mistress. Hagar had been giving Sarah a hard time, treating her with contempt (Genesis 16:4), gloating over the fact that she was pregnant and Sarah wasn’t. Having Abraham’s baby was important since God had promised that He would make Abraham a great nation. Now, Sarah was barren and her maid was pregnant with Abraham’s child. Life was difficult and Sarah made Hagar leave their community. As Jesus advised Hagar, was this the first time He said, “Go”? She obediently went back to Sarah. Hagar was blessed to have had Jesus speak directly to her. We have scripture to speak to us…and the still small voice of the Holy Spirit, if we are listening closely.

Later throughout the Bible there are other incidences that Jesus commands someone to “Go.” Has He told you to “Go” and do something specific? Are you listening for a still small voice, or are you expecting a loud, booming voice directing your way and telling you which path to follow? Go and tell others about the Lord Jesus Christ. Go and serve the Lord—be His hands and feet. What is God—in the form of the still small voice of the Holy Spirit (see 1 Kings 19:12) or specific verses in the Bible—telling you to do?

 

The angel of the LORD found Hagar beside a spring of water in the wilderness, along the road to Shur. The angel said to her, "Hagar, Sarai's servant, where have you come from, and where are you going?" "I'm running away from my mistress, Sarai," she replied. The angel of the LORD said to her, "Return to your mistress, and submit to her authority." ... Thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the LORD, who had spoken to her. She said, "You are the God who sees me." She also said, "Have I truly seen the One who sees me?" Genesis 16:7-9, 13

 

Prayer – Lord, I’m listening to You…and looking for Your advice and commands as I study scripture. Give me wisdom to understand what You are saying and the courage to do just what You say. I’ll “Go” where You want me to go…and do what You want me to do.

Please be merciful and bless those who have lost everything—especially family and friends—in these devastating fires in California—and the earthquakes around the world.  

 

Meditate. Consider God’s guidance in scripture. Read God’s word and listen to what He is saying.

 

Verse of Salvation ~ In that day the people will proclaim, "This is our God! We trusted in him, and he saved us! This is the LORD, in whom we trusted. Let us rejoice in the salvation he brings!" Isaiah 25:9

 

© 2025 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm. 

 

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