We're diving into a very specific verse: Genesis 16:8. It's where Hagar, the maidservant of Sarah, answers the angel's question about where she's going. Her reply? "I am fleeing from the face of Sarah, my mistress."
Simple enough on the surface, right? But as always with midrash, there's SO much more lurking beneath.
Philo, in his unique way, isn't just interested in the literal. He’s digging for deeper meaning. He asks: why would Hagar run away from Sarah? After all, Sarah, in this context, represents wisdom and virtue. Shouldn’t Hagar be drawn to that?
Philo suggests something truly insightful. He proposes that Hagar isn't running out of hatred or malice, but rather out of a kind of… awe.
Think about that for a second. He argues that Hagar "recoiled at the outward appearance of wisdom and virtue." She trembled before its "royal and imperial presence." It’s not that she hates goodness. Instead, she feels unworthy, unable to "endure to look upon its majesty and sublimity."
Have you ever felt that way? Intimidated by someone who embodies the very qualities you admire? Maybe a mentor, a spiritual leader, or even just a friend who seems to have it all together? You might even feel a pull to distance yourself, not out of spite, but out of a sense of your own inadequacy.
Philo puts it beautifully: "there are some people who do not turn from virtue from any hatred of it, but from a reverential modesty, looking upon themselves as unworthy to live with such a mistress."
It's a powerful idea, isn't it? That sometimes our flight isn't from the thing itself, but from our perception of our own unworthiness.
This interpretation invites us to examine our own motivations. Are we truly running from what's good for us, or are we simply intimidated by its brilliance? And if it's the latter, what can we do to overcome that feeling of unworthiness and embrace the wisdom and virtue that beckons us? It's a reminder that the journey towards self-improvement isn't always linear, and sometimes, our perceived limitations are the biggest obstacles we face. Maybe, just maybe, understanding why we run is the first step toward finding our way back.