Genesis 21:17-19 And God heard the voice of the lad; and angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.. Arise, and lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation. And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink.
Hagar had been cast out of the household of Abraham and sent into the desert, to die. She cast her son under a shrub to die, went off a ways and wept. When she was in dire straits, near death, the angel of God shows up and gives her a word of Life, a word of encouragement, hope, and promise. God had heard the cry (prayer) of the boy, and He came to save and to bless. He made a well of water miraculously appear in the desert. He promised that Ishmael would not only live but also become a great nation.
Hagar responded to God’s words of hope and promise by getting up, taking the boy, and giving him some water. She did not fear the angel of God, but she did what He said. She believed God and took courage from His promise. She may have remained in desert lands, but she got an Egyptian wife for Ishmael and he did become a great nation. Many modern Arab tribes and nations descend from Hagar and Ishmael (much to the chagrin of the ancient and modern Jewish state).
Hagar’s son did not receive the Covenant promise of land, seed, and blessing, as Isaac did, Nevertheless, God reserved a blessing for Ishmael, just like He reserved a blessing for Esau. However, they were not a part of the covenant promise of the Savior of the nations. Actually, the Ishmaelites and the Edomites became thorns in the side of Israel. The Blessing would come to them, but it would come through the Promised Seed. God’s grace is for all people, but salvation comes only to those who believe in Jesus.
Although Hagar and Ishmael were not ”of the promised seed,” God still loves all people, every person ever born, and He can still bless anyone, though maybe not with eternal blessing. At any rate, the experience of Hagar can be a hopeful example for all of us: we may be down and out and at the end of our rope, but when we cry out to God He hears and responds with grace and blessing. We do not respond with fear when we hear the Word but with faith and thanks.