That question is usually the beginning of a joke that goes around in circles. But today, I want it to be a question that makes you re-think a character in the early part of our Judeo-Christian faith story.

Over the years, I have been discovering–with the help of many wonderful biblical commentators and theologians–how a woman was chosen to be the “first” person to do something in the scriptural text. The amazing thing to me is the level of importance of some of these “doings” and yet, I have seldom if ever heard sermons highlighting these women as examples of discipleship or leadership.

So, for this next week, I want us to ponder the woman Hagar we meet in Genesis 16 and see again in Genesis chapters 21 and 25. Hagar was an Egyptian slave in the house of Abram and Sarai. She was a foreigner. She was property. She was used by humans to accomplish their desires without consideration of her personal needs or desires.

When Sarai got impatient for God’s plan to be fulfilled by giving them many descendants, she took matters into her own hands and Abram went along with it. She gave her maid Hagar into the arms of Abram for her to become a surrogate mother of these children that had been promised to Abram and Sarai. Then, when she actually had a child–Abram’s firstborn son, Ishmael, Sarai got jealous and made Abram send her away–twice!

The amazing part of the story for me is that it was to this “foreign” slave woman that God chose to allow TWO firsts to happen.

1. She is the first person in scripture to whom the “Angel of the LORD” appears. Many scholars believe that phrase indicates an appearance of the pre-incarnate Christ. I would say that is pretty significant, wouldn’t you? It was in the first appearance that God told her she would have countless descendants herself and that she would have a son and that she would name her son Ishmael. I wonder how surprised Abram was when she reported all that to him?

2. She is also the first person in scripture who ever gives God a name. When this compassionate God appeared to her and had mercy on her and saved her life, she named God “The God Who Sees.”

What I have come to understand is that God’s promise was fulfilled in making Ishmael’s descendants a great nation. They became the ones we know today as the Arabs.

Hmm . . . God’s personal promise to a foreign woman has grown into a mighty nation indeed–of which she and Abraham are the original parents. How well do we know the people who have fulfilled this other promise of the same God we serve?

So, who was on first when it came to naming God and fulfilling God’s promises? Just something to think about.

Have a great weekend!