God Sees Us, God Hears Us

2009-02-09

God chose Abram and Sarai to be an integral part in fulfilling his purposes. But they were not perfect. Going with the custom of the day, and not trusting in God, the barren Sarai suggested that the maidservant Hagar could have children for her with Abram. When Hagar did get pregnant, this caused all kinds of tension, which led to mistreatment of the maidservant and her subsequent running away.

Those closest to God’s heart do some of the most terrible things to other people. But regardless of this, God still loves people and draws them to himself.

God promises Hagar that she will be blessed with many descendants. He also tells her to return to Abram and Sarai, and by implication, that he will protect her there.

Two interesting things: God tells Hagar to name her son Ishmael (literally, “God hears”). Secondly, Hagar calls the well she was near Beer Lahai Roi (literally, “the well of the living one who sees me”). God may be the creator-owner of the universe, but he is mindful of those we may consider the least significant.

What can I learn? God is the defender of the weak. Even though Hagar was not God’s chosen progenitor of what was going to be the nation of Israel, God looked after her and loved her. I have no right to treat anybody in a demeaning way... It is my duty to respect and care about all people, regardless of who they are. In fact, God pursues the weak, the sick, and the outcast, as we know well from the Gospels. If God pursues those kinds of people, shouldn’t we do the same? God, lead me to the opportunity to pursue people who are in need.