Sarah is upset. She wants Hagar and Hagar’s son Yishmael out of the household. Avraham resists, upset on behalf of his son Yishmael. But God says, “Whatever Sarah tells you, listen to her VOICE” (Bereisheet/Genesis 21:12).  Avraham banishes Hagar and Yishmael, provisioning them without Sarah’s input, with only bread and water.

When the water runs out, Hagar “raises her VOICE and cries.” (21:16). “God hears the VOICE of the youth” (21:17). An angel calls to Hagar, saying, “Don’t be afraid Hagar, because God has listened to the VOICE of the youth” (21:17). God opens Hagar’s eyes, and she sees a well of water (21:19).

How should we interpret the recurring motif of the VOICE?

Using the classical midrashic interpretive technique of connecting verses (semichut parshiyot), we might connect Sarah’s voice with the angel’s voice. Perhaps Sarah herself is the angel, hiding at the edges of the scene, making sure Hagar and Yishmael are safe, despite Avraham’s meager provisions.

Or we could use another classical midrashic technique of borrowing a gateway verse (petichta) from elsewhere in the Tanakh to open us onto new insight. When Job meets God and is freed from his suffering, he says, “Before I heard about you through hearing; but now I see you with my eyes” (Job 42:5). Job received hints of God’s presence through hearsay, but his true spiritual experience of receiving strength came when he saw God differently.  Perhaps Hagar, too, found her inner well of strength when she saw differently.

What do you know about God through hearsay? What do you know through personal experience? Whose VOICE gets you through hard times? Whose VOICE is with you when you celebrate?