Genesis 16:9 “Then the angel of the Lord said to her, ‘Return to your mistress, and submit yourself to her authority.’”
SHE SAW THE LORD
I truly believe each and every time “the angel of the Lord” appears in the Old Testament it is our Lord Jesus. Why? Because after His incarnation (coming in the flesh to earth) there is never another mention of Him. I may be wrong, and there is no definitive way to prove it, but I believe it.
Just think, if I’m right! Jesus appeared to Hagar, the mother of the Arab world. That’s who Ishmael became. Just think! If Hagar and Ishmael would have continued to follow Jehovah God and relied on the words of Jesus when He appeared to her here, how the world might be different.
TEACHING MOMENT
Oh, but the same is true for us. If we will just stop and listen to the Lord, our world could be so much different. Our children have to be taught how to stop and listen. All those times you grab the chubby little cheeks of your little one and say, “Listen to what I am saying” are teaching moments. They need to learn to listen to those in authority.
If Hagar had been a submissive servant to Sarah (Sarai here), perhaps Ishmael would have been submissive also. If your children learn to be submissive to your leadership, they will be better employees. They will be better listeners. They will be better followers of Christ.
Are you listening to those in authority over you? Are you seeking to serve them? Are you allowing your fleshly desires to get the better of you? Your children are watching. Other believers are watching. We ALL need to be more submissive, especially me.
A Moment In Time 