The God Who Sees Hagar
Over the next several weeks we are going to look at how God acts as El Roi, The God Who Sees, through four different biblical mommas who experienced grief and sorrow. We will look at the lives of Hagar, Hannah, Naomi and Mary and see for ourselves how God was faithful to meet them in their pain and sorrow. As we study the testimonies of these four Biblical women, our prayer is that you would know in the depths of your heart that you are seen and heard, that you would feel loved and known.
The first time I fully understood the significance of Hagar’s story, I was in awe. Genesis 16 shares the testimony of a lowly, Egyptian slave girl whose purpose is to serve Abram’s wife Sarai. Out of impatience to conceive, Sarai demands that Abram sleep with Hagar. But Sarai is less than thrilled over Hagar’s pregnancy. Now viewing her as a threat, Sarai begins to mistreat Hagar.
Out of desperation, Hagar runs and finds herself face to face with God in the middle of the desert. It is upon this encounter that Hagar names God, El Roi, the God Who Sees Me. As a slave, this is perhaps the first time in Hagar’s life that she has ever felt truly seen or known. To be seen and known by the God of the universe is no small matter.
After running from Abram and Sarai, Hagar finds herself alone, frightened and pregnant. Imagine her shock when, in Genesis 16:7, God meets her, a fugitive slave girl. God instructs Hagar to return to Sarai, but tells her she will be abundantly blessed. She will give birth to a son named Ishmael, which means, “God hears.”
I am amazed at how cared for Hagar is in this moment. God spoke truth to her, promising that her grief was both seen and heard. Have there been moments when you’ve felt unseen in your grief? This same God, El Roi, has seen every tear that you’ve cried. He has heard every silent prayer for restored joy. He was there the day a part of you slipped into eternity, and He is here now. He is present and faithful. God sees you and He hears you, momma.
After God meets Hagar, she gives birth to Ishmael, which means “God hears.” The meaning of Ishmael’s name plays a significant role throughout the lives of this mother and son. Later, Sarai demands that Hagar and Ishmael leave home for good. They are sent to the wilderness where they wander, searching for water. Genesis 21 says that Hagar cried out weeping, and again God heard her.
He called to her, “What ails you Hagar? God has heard the voice of the lad. I will make Him a great nation.” In that moment, Hagar’s eyes opened and she saw water. This water was a tangible manifestation of God’s “El Roi” heart for both Hagar and Ishmael. As slaves in their culture, the lives of Hagar and Ishmael were insignificant. But to God, they were valued, loved, and deeply known.
The desire to be seen, heard, and known is a gift that God has put inside each of us. In the midst of dark grief and sorrow, God sees, hears, and knows us best. There are many days that I return to Hagar’s story to remind myself that my story is not lost on Him. I have not been forgotten. The babies I once carried were created by God, and He loves them. The sadness and the heaviness are not mine to carry alone. He is El Roi, the God Who Sees. This is true for you too, momma. Just as God assured Hagar that she was seen and heard, you too are seen and heard. Your heart is fully known and loved by a great God.
- Brittany
Hope Mom to five precious babies
Brittany and her husband, Jeremy live in Colorado with their three children Mackenzie, Levi, and Evelyn, their Black Lab Boston and a menagerie of bunnies! They have two Hope Babies, Finley Sky and Asher Simeon. Brittany is passionate about encouraging women to live authentically and abundantly. She is a writer at www.littlemountainmomma.com where she shares openly about her journey through postpartum depression and her experiences of pregnancy loss.
Photo credit: Pix-Elated Photography
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