She was a foreigner and a maid to the wife of a rich man. She was pregnant by the rich man, obeying the request of her mistress, to bear this child who would become the heir to the family. However, when the rich man’s wife became pregnant, her mistress treated her harshly and with disdain. She needed to escape.
She was Hagar.
God promised Abram and Sarai that they would have a son and be blessed with many descendants. Abram would be the father of a great nation. There was only one problem. Both Abram and Sarai were over eighty years old. When they were given this promise, both were incredulous. How could God miraculously allow Sarai to bear a child? Several years passed and it did not happen. During this time in history, a woman could present her maid to her husband to bear a child for the marriage and be adopted as their own. Sarai reasoned that her maid, Hagar, could accomplish what God had promised, so she gave Hagar to Abram and she became pregnant. However, when this occurred, conflict and jealousy ensued. Hagar, although still a maid servant, now had a special status with Abram and this angered Sarai who treated her harshly. Hagar was forced to flee to the wilderness.
Pregnant, abandoned, and alone, Hagar lost all hope. She had quickly gone from a comfortable privileged life to an outcast. Why would anyone pay attention to her? Did anyone care? God did. He sent His angel to comfort and inform her that He was in control. God told her that her son would be named Ishmael and he would also become the father of a great nation. Reassured and thankful, Hagar praised God and called Him, El Roi, the God who sees me.
Then she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, “You are a God who sees”; for she said, “Have I even remained alive here after seeing Him?”
Genesis 16:13 (NASB)
God saw Hagar. God sees you. God sees me! Many years ago, I was in a very dark place, estranged from my father and many of my friends. I was abandoned and rejected. My support system was gone. In desperation, I fell on my hands and knees and cried out to God. God saw me and answered me. He led me to repent of my sins. He restored the broken relationships. He healed me.
El Roi.
The God who sees me.
He is the same God who sees all of us during our times of greatest needs. He answered us by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Redeemer, our Lord and Savior.
Amen!
Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.
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