Genesis 16:1-15 and 21:1-21
Read Genesis 16:1-15 and 21:1-21
Helpful Background Information:
Genesis 16 introduces Hagar as an Egyptian servant belonging to Sarai. Because Sarai had been unable to have children, she gave Hagar to Abram in hopes of building a family through her. This practice was common in the ancient world, but it was not God’s solution to their problem, and much of Hagar’s story describes the fallout of this sinful shortcut. Once Hagar became pregnant, tension quickly grew between the two women. Sarai treated Hagar harshly, and Hagar fled into the wilderness. There, the Angel of the LORD found her beside a spring and spoke directly to her. Hagar was a foreigner, a servant, and a woman with very little power, yet God saw her suffering and promised that her son Ishmael would become the father of a great nation. Hagar responded by calling God El Roi, meaning “the God who sees me.”
Genesis 21 returns to Hagar’s story years later, after Isaac (the son God had promised Abraham and Sarah) was born. Conflict in the household led Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away. When their water ran out in the wilderness, Hagar believed her son was going to die and sat at a distance because she could not bear to watch. Once again, God heard their cries and came to their aid. He opened Hagar’s eyes to a nearby well and repeated His promise concerning Ishmael. These chapters do not hide the painful consequences of human impatience, mistreatment, and broken relationships, but they do reveal that God sees, hears, and cares for people who feel forgotten.
Reflection Questions:
Sarai and Abram tried to obtain God’s promise through their own plan. What damage resulted from their impatience, and where might you be tempted to force an outcome rather than wait on God?
In Genesis 16:8, God asks Hagar, “Where have you come from, and where are you going?” If God asked you those questions, how would you answer?
Hagar called God El Roi, “the God who sees me.” What difference would it make in your life if you lived like God really saw you at all times?