Pregnant and alone, she fled quickly. The events of recent weeks and months had become too much to handle. As a household servant, she had known of her master's desire for a son. Everyone knew that her mistress was past the time of bearing an heir. Perhaps the household was unsurprised when Sarai suggested that her husband father a child by the servant, Hagar. The customs of the region allowed that, of course.

Once Hagar knew she had conceived, the tensions mounted in the home. She had been used. Hagar despised Sarai, and soon Abram gave Sarai full rein: "Your maid is in your hand; do to her as you please." The harsh treatment Hagar then experienced caused her to flee into the wilderness.

Imagine the scene with me. Hagar was now at a spring in the wilderness, and she heard a voice calling her. The Angel of the LORD not only noticed her; he knew her name and spoke to her! He asked a question, allowing her to share her situation with him. Then he gave guidance ("return and submit"), a promise ("I will multiply your descendants") and instruction ("you shall bear a son...call his name Ishmael"). He declared that "the LORD has heard your affliction."

In Genesis 16, the first recorded instance of a woman speaking with the Angel of the LORD since the Garden, we find that God reveals himself to Hagar in a way which profoundly impacted her.

She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me” (Genesis 16:13).

Dear one, God has not changed. May I encourage you to share openly with "the-God-who-sees" the matters that are on your heart? He knows your name and the challenges you face today. Roll your burdens onto him, and rest in his care for you (1 Peter 5:7).

God, truly "You-are-the-God-who-sees." Help me to trust you with all that concerns me today, knowing that you see and you care. Amen.

Throughout This Day: Do you have concerns or worries that weigh you down? Dare to bring each one to the God who sees you, and entrust them to him today.



Tags: Daily Devotional Genesis 16
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