The capture of the runaway, or Hagar and the angel of the Lord.
I. THE FUGITIVE ARRESTED.
1. The agent of her capture. The angel of Jehovah (vide Exposition), whose appearance to Hagar at this particular juncture was doubtless—
2. The place of her capture.
II. THE FOUNDLING INTERROGATED.
1. The question of the angel.
2. The answer of Hagar.
III. THE WANDERER DIRECTED.
1. To return to Abram's house. The tent of Sarai, though to Hagar's quick Southern blood a place of humiliation, was nevertheless for her the true place of safety, both physically and spiritually. The first counsel that God's word and spirit give to those who flee from duty, forsake the company of saints, and venture out upon perilous and sinful courses is "to stand in the ways, and ask for the old paths" (Jeremiah 6:16).
2. To submit to Sarah's yoke. Her alliance with the patriarch could not in God's sight alter her original position as a slave. Though soon to be the mother of Abram's seed, she was still a bondwoman, whose duty was submission, however galling to her hot blood, and however unreasonable it might seem in the case of one whose child might yet inherit Canaan. God's people are required to abide in those stations in life in which they have been called, until they can be honorably released from them (1 Corinthians 7:20-22), and to endure those afflictions which God in his providence may impose, rather than impetuously and sinfully endeavor to escape from them (Matthew 16:24).
IV. THE DISCONSOLATE COMFORTED.
1. The richness of the offered consolation.
2. The efficacy of the offered consolation.
See in the angel's appearance to Hagar—
1. An adumbration of the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2. An illustration of God's care of those who are within his Church.
3. An indication of the kind of people that most attract the Divine notice and compassion.
4. A revelation of the tenderness with which he deals with sinners.
5. A proclamation of God's gracious readiness to forgive the erring.
HOMILIES BY W. ROBERTS