A KEY SCRIPTURE

Genesis 16:13 "Then she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, You-Are-the-God- Who-Sees; for she said, 'Have I also here seen Him who sees me?'"

ARRIVING AT AN ANSWER

The experience of Hagar bears testimony.

Genesis 16:7 "And the angel of the LORD found her ... "

"The Angel of the LORD" was recognised to be YAHWEH Himself (Genesis 22:11-12; 31:11,13; 48:16; Judges 6:11,16,22; 13:22-23; Zechariah 3:1-2 ). In the Angel of the LORD, YAHWEH is seen. This title presents the concept of Hebrews 1:3.

Hebrews 1:3 "Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, ..."

Hagar experienced the manifest presence of the pre-incarnate Christ. He is from all eternity the Word, or Revealer, of God. How in keeping with the character of Christ, that it was He who found Hagar in the wilderness (Luke 19:10 ). Even in the wilderness God is inescapable, and to the one in special need He discloses His nearness.

The Lord desires submission to His will and patience with His timing. It was quite legal for a barren woman to give her maid to her husband, whose child would be regarded as her own. Following the custom of the day may content us, but like Sarai, true satisfaction can only be realised by miraculous fulfilment of God's promised intention. It is regrettable when faith is allowed to be weakened and clouded, leading to ensnarement by human persuasion to go the world's way, instead of walking with God. We may be self- deceived and deceive others that the custom we follow is right, but God sees and witnesses our deviation, and our failure to submit to His word and promises.

He shows that He is present. Mistreatment came through misbehaviour (Genesis 16:4 ). Hagar was far from blameless, she was full of pride when she found she was pregnant. It was not right for her to despise Sarai whom she was to serve. She was to build up Sarai not put her down. (The margin of the KJV gives the Hebrew for "obtain children by her" as "be builded by her."). One of the perturbing things referred to in Proverbs is:

Proverbs 30:23 "... And a maidservant who succeeds (or hated) her mistress. "

Regrettably Hagar fits this description in her despising Sarai. Let her remind us that it is no credit to us if we suffer for our faults (1 Peter 2:20 ). And let us shun having a high opinion of ourselves, but develop sober thinking before God who sees (Romans 12:3 ).

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Mistreatment Came Through Embitterment (Genesis 16:5-6)

Sarai in bitterness put the blame for her trouble, on Abraham. In her resentment she wanted action from Abram against Hagar. Abram stood accused for weakly carrying out his wife's plan to build a family through Hagar. Sarai puts her husband right in the middle of the problem. In turn, he put the disturbing issue of Hagar, fully into Sarai's hands as though he had no responsibility in the matter. His answer amounted to "Do what you want, she is yours to do as you please."

	Was Abram saying, "Keep me out of it." Was it the right way to deal with a conflict that threatened to break up the home? The God who sees was present.
	Did Abram seek God's mind about Hagar? Did he and Sarai give any thought to their accountability to the Lord who sees?
	Did Sarai know that anger and bitterness could chase peace, harmony, and happiness out of the home?
	Are you putting bitteress and anger away from you? (Ephesians 4:31 )
	Can the Lord see His own tenderheartedness and forgiveness towards those who wrong you? (Ephesians 4:32 ).

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Mistreatment Came As Harsh Dealing

Genesis 16:6 "... And when Sarai dealt harshly with her, ..."

The word "harshly" is the same as "afflict" in the announcement of God to Abram that foretold the enslavement and oppression of Israel in Egypt (Genesis 15:13 ) and the treatment received from the taskmasters (Exodus 1:11 ). While the Hebrew word means "oppress, depress, afflict" it could have the meaning here to "persecute or ill-treat". We do know that whatever form the mistreatment took, it was harsh enough to cause Hagar to run away. She fled. (Genesis 16:6 ).

The Lord's command to Hagar is to return and submit (Genesis 16:9 ). Nothing could be harder than to go back to the harsh situation from which she had fled. But that was the way to fulfilment of the divine plan he had for her and her unborn son. Our all-seeing and ever-present God often commands the principle of return and submit. We find that returning breaks the stubbornness, and submitting breaks pride. The returning and submission restores to the fullness of blessing, and we are placed where, through patience, the divine purposes can unfold.

The Lord's promise to Hagar concerning her son (Genesis 16:10-12 ):

	THE PROMISE replaced despair with prospect, the Lord would greatly multiply her seed.
	THE PROMISE reminded her that the Lord protected - the child would be a boy and the name given by the Lord would help her remember that the Lord heard her affliction (Ishmael means "God heareth").
	THE PROMISE recognised the type of progeny - Ishmael would be a wild one - free and untamed as a wild ass - his descendants would be like him.
	THE PROMISE related consequences for his people that he would be against everybody, and nations would respond in the same way.
	THE PROMISE indicates Ishmael reaching into Israel's life - even in this time, his people dwell in the presence of all his brethren.

The omnipresent God hears, and speaks commandment and promise - in heeding His commands we embrace His promises.

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Hagar Celebrated:

	because she had been found by the Lord
	because she had insight into the Lord's character
	because she knew she was seen by the Lord
	because she knew she was loved and the Lord had plans for her
	because she now saw the Lord who protected her in the wilderness would do so in Sarah's tent
	because she realised that the Almighty Creator had revealed His presence to her
	because she had seen the all-seeing God and was still alive, more, her whole being was now alive to God.

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Hagar Commemorates:

Genesis 16:14 "Therefore the well was called Beer Lahai Roi; ..."

Literally "well of the one who lives and sees." (NKJV). Perhaps as good a rendering as any is,

"... the well of the living one who sees me," The Wycliffe Bible Commentary - Moody Press

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Hagar's Courage

The expected son is born. It is significant that we are told that the name given by Abram was the name given by the Lord (Genesis 16:11,15 ). "God hears" was cause for celebration for Hagar, but when Abram knew the child's name was to be Ishmael, did it remind him of the unjust treatment of Hagar by Sarai and himself? God was present, heard, took action. Did it take courage for Hagar to tell Abram God hates injustice particularly when seen among His people?

Do you serve the Lord Christ? (Colossians 3:24 ). Then take to heart the warning:

Colossians 3:25 "But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality."

Remember your accountability before the omnipresent God, and show love, justice, and fairness to others.