When life is tough, a deep sense of aloneness can add to the load of the struggling we already bear. The relational nature of God’s design for people, as communicated in Jesus’ abstract of the commandments (Matt. 22:38-40), signifies that it’s hardwired into us that we’d lengthy for the form of relationships wherein we’re identified—seen. We had been created for relationship. This is without doubt one of the methods we picture our Creator. He exists in relationship throughout the Trinity and created man and girl to be relational beings as the head of His inventive work.
Again and again, within the grand narrative of the Bible, God reveals Himself because the God who sees us personally and intimately, however the first time He reassures a struggler with this reality, she makes use of a brand new title for Him that seals this attribute as an unchangeable a part of our understanding of God: El Roi. By way of Hagar’s story of ache and desperation, present in Genesis 16, God reveals Himself to be One who is aware of us intimately, seeing our sorrows and struggles and caring in regards to the particular particulars of our lives in ways in which transfer Him.
Hagar Was Unseen
Hagar was a slave, considered as a mere possession for use by Sarai and Abram like we’d use a pot within the kitchen. In all of their plotting, they by no means even referred to her by title, talking of Hagar solely in relation to their possession. She couldn’t have been extra utterly and intimately objectified. She was an Egyptian—an alien in a overseas land, with no hope of survival aside from her house owners and solely painful expectations below their possession. When Sarai bought what she wished (the hoped-for youngster in Hagar’s womb), she was extra depressing than earlier than, and staying felt untenable to Hagar, so she ran. Her response to her struggling was solely marginally totally different from Sarai’s. Life was dealing her a hand she didn’t like, so she tried to alter it … and each are usually not so totally different from our first ancestors who traveled the identical thought pathways to their (and our) demise.
In actual fact, if we’re trustworthy with ourselves and with God, we are going to see that our responses to our struggling are solely marginally totally different from any of theirs. There’s something proper about wanting to enhance our circumstances in life. However that is usually the form of alternative we make after we neglect the watchful care of God, and we’re more likely to discover the outcomes of our self-effort to be as unpalatable as did Adam, Eve, Sarai, and Hagar.
However Hagar Was Seen
The biblical narrative provides us no indication that Hagar was in pursuit of God, however it’s clear that He was in pursuit of her. When life was as determined because it may get, God noticed her.[1] This was not the “seeing” of oppressive invasion, however quite, this was a “seeing” of inestimable, limitless love. God noticed Hagar. In distinction to Sarai and Abram, the primary phrase utilized in relationship along with her was her title. He didn’t simply see her circumstances—He noticed her humanity. Hagar was invited to precise her coronary heart, after which she was guided on the trail that she ought to take. “You might be to return.” This appears unconscionable to us, besides that Hagar’s expertise of God had modified every part. The despair of being totally unknown within the deep locations of her soul had changed into one thing new.
The place Hope Grows
Hagar’s response to this intimate encounter with God is akin to exultation. She sees with new eyes; her coronary heart is strengthened, braveness has changed bitterness and worry, and the decision to return is unwaveringly heeded. God sees her. I think about a jubilant dance, however I’m wondering if it was extra like our Lord when He set His face like flint as He returned to Jerusalem, understanding what was coming subsequent. Hagar would have had no illusions about her circumstances altering. The bitter windfall of being pregnant with a baby that was hers however not hers wouldn’t change. She held inside her and would quickly maintain in her arms the product of Sarai and Abram’s sinful lusts. And they’d very doubtless by no means see her as a couple of of their possessions. However this actuality had misplaced its energy as a result of God had come close to. And Hagar lived within the new actuality that she was identified by the One who really mattered.
From There and Then to Us and Now
Hagar’s story is not only historical historical past for us to ponder. “For no matter was written in former days was written for our instruction, that via endurance and thru the encouragement of the Scriptures we’d have hope” (Rom. 15:4). After we lean in, pay attention, and prayerfully ponder lengthy sufficient and deeply sufficient, Hagar’s hope turns into ours. We be taught by religion, and finally by expertise, that being seen and identified by God is like having a superpower. God’s presence in our lives, His intimate care in our deepest struggles, fuels us with braveness and faithfulness that surpasses understanding. Within the face of misuse and abuse, of cruelty and heartlessness, the reality that God is aware of us serves because the balm of Gilead that Jeremiah longed for his individuals and exhorted them to hunt (Jer. 8:21; 46:11).
Query for Reflection
Has God damaged via a darkish place in your life with His presence in a manner that fuels you with hope, power, and peace past your self? If sure, take time as we speak to worship El Roi, who does this for our good and His glory. If not, discuss to somebody who will help you be taught to know God on this manner.
[1] The textual content states that an angel of God got here to Hagar. Nonetheless, Hagar understands that she is having an encounter that has been initiated by God.
