Forward Movement Managing Editor Richelle Thompson recently chatted with Lindsay Hardin Freeman, author of the popular book Bible Women: All Their Words and Why They Matter, and Kate Moorehead, author of the newly released Angels of the Bible: Finding Grace, Beauty, and Meaning. This discussion focused on women and angels in the Bible, specifically, Hagar’s encounters with angels.
“I also find it very interesting the part about where the angel says to Hagar, ‘Do not be afraid.’ That is such a common thing with angels all the way through the Bible. Do not be afraid. We just went through that at Christmas time with Mary and Gabriel and Gabriel talking to Joseph. And do not be afraid with the shepherds. And now suddenly we hear Hagar and Ishmael being told the same thing.”
“It has a resurrection message in a way, because the angel says, ‘Rise up. Rise up.’ And she’s made a different person. And again, another kind of person.”
Read the full interview here.
You can also listen to this conversation in a special episode of the Forward Day by Day podcast, released on March 26, 2020.
Image: Chasse of Champagnat, The Four Living Creatures, ca. 1150, French, Copper: engraved and gilt; Champlevé enamel (Photo: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York)