Hagar.

Let's talk about Hagar. She's an anomaly to me - it seems that her reputation precedes her as one not quite as righteous as Sarah. But I can't get her out of my mind - and it seems, to me, that in the beginning that was not so.
She was Sarah's handmaid. Without a choice in the matter she was 'given' to Abraham as a wife, to bare the children Sarah could not have. So when she does get pregnant, granted, she gets a bit haughty with Sarah and "looks on her with deceit". Sarah gets mad and "deals hardly with her". Okay - so she lost her humility. I can see the sin . . . but there must be so much there not written because it seems Hagar is a very spiritual woman. She runs away and finds herself at the well, where she stops to have a very legitimate breakdown and spend a few moments with a good cry. An angel of the Lord appears to her (see, spiritual woman) and asks her 'why the tears?' She answers and he proceeds to comfort her by saying 'well, go back to the situation, humble yourself and be at the mercy of Sarah.' Hard stuff. But she does it. What character she must have. He then bids her goodbye by telling her that yes, she is with child, and the child whom she will bare will be at arms with all those around him. Not the greatest blessing to be given.
Years later Sarah does conceive and out of fear for Isaac's life both Sarah and Abraham throw Hagar and her son Ishmael out. Can you imagine - miles and miles of desert and you alone with a young child? I'm just having a hard time seeing the bad side of Hagar here. Every book I've researched sides with Sarah - and there must be something there because ultimately she is the one chosen to carry the royal lineage. And in reality, I think there must be an amazing repentance story to be read here. I would like to believe that in the time between Ishmaels and Isaac's birth that the beautiful miricle of a heart changing occured, that Sarah grew to be the righteous woman that was heir to be mother of countless numbers.
I just can't forget the other part though - the woman who was eventually cast out. There she is, sand and sun -and she begins to cry and pray unto God. He opens her eyes and she finds a well of water, which sustains the both of them until they can continue into a new land.
I'm still mulling over it all - but as of yet my heart really goes out to Hagar, the woman servant who was given a life without choice.