The God of Hagar, the God who sees.

Two weeks ago as I stepped forward to teach one of the hardest portions of scripture I have ever taught, I said the most honest words I could think of. “I don’t usually get nervous when I teach, but today I am shaking and my palms are sweating!”

In case you are not familiar with Genesis 19, it is the horrific scene of Sodom and Gomorrah. The one where Lot offers his two daughters to the men of the town, “to do as you like with them,” in place of the angelic guests the townsmen sought. Sin breeds dysfunction, from the day Eve and Adam disobeyed God, to the day Jesus returns to make all things new. 

Genesis is chalk full of sin bred dysfunction. Particularly painful is the risky dealings of men corrupted. Glimpsing back to the beginnings of Genesis, we hear Lamech’s undertones of threat, “Adah and Zillah, listen to me; wives of Lamech, hear my words. I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for injuring me.” (Genesis 4:23) Or the times Abraham lied about his wife in order to protect his own hide, while powerful kings took Sarah into their harem – TWICE.  And lest we solely point the finger at men, women can be just as insidious. We are simply less likely to hold the power and strength. 

Enter Hagar, servant of Sarah. (Genesis 16)

Sarah and Abraham were unable to have children, and they were advancing in years. Panicking, Sarah gave Hagar to Abraham, using Hagar as a way to gain children. Hagar conceived, and she “despised” Sarah. We do not know the exact reason why Hagar despised Sarah after she conceived. Perhaps the issue was her prideful heart. However, I would also like to suggest the distinct possibility Hagar did not want to be pregnant with Abraham’s child. She was not offered a choice whether to marry Abraham or not. As the embryo of life began to grow in her womb, resentment began to grow in her heart. 

Sarah’s anger simmered against Hagar and the baby growing within, and she abused Hagar. Fleeing, Hagar ran into the wilderness. 

Used. Abused. Abandoned. But not forsaken. 

The heart of God is always after the heart of the used, abused and abandoned. In the story of Hagar, God’s tender love is an oasis upon parched land. And light breaking through in the darkness.

The one who wastes away in the cruel heat of a desert land, is the one who thirsts the most. Perhaps this is why the interaction between God and Hagar is so precious. Hagar, used, abused and abandoned, is the only person in the Bible to give God a name. God found her in the wilderness and Hagar called Him, “You are a God of seeing. Truly here I have seen Him who looks after me.” (Genesis 16:13)  

Seventeen years later, in another wilderness, Hagar wept as she placed her son under a bush to die. Like echoes upon a canyon, God called back to her the Name of her first wilderness experience. Haven’t we all needed this? Haven’t we all longed to hear the echoes of the God we know, but cannot see under the crushing weight of our burdens. Like a badge of honor, God proves Himself again; I am who you said I am. 

While Hagar and Ishmael sat on the brink of death in the wilderness, the God of seeing visited her again. The God of seeing opened Hagar’s eyes to see a well and draw water for her son, Ishmael, who is rightly named God hears. The God of seeing called upon her to say, “Fear not, for God has heard.” (Genesis 21:17)

Like the consistency of the waves upon the shore, God’s steadfast and unchanging love fell upon Hagar’s heart, reassuring her that He is a God who sees and a God who hears. He came to their rescue.

He can and will come to your rescue too!