READ

"Thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the LORD, who had spoken to her. She said, 'You are the God who sees me.' She also said, 'Have I truly seen the One who sees me?'" Genesis 16:13

REFLECT

The Old Testament story of Sarai and Hagar is one filled with hurt, betrayal, trauma, sin, and sadness. In the midst of that, the Lord comes to Hagar and tells her she will give birth to a son. He also tells her to go back to the home of Sarai. He tells her to go back to the hurt and trauma she’s endured and to submit to Sarai. And her response is remarkable! She uses the Hebrew name for God, El Roi, which means, as the text states, the God who sees me. This is notably the only occurrence of this name in the Bible. God’s love for this overlooked woman can be seen in his care for her and in her response toward Him. The story points forward to another overlooked woman who was told she would give birth to a Son. That Son would walk the earth truly seeing overlooked women. That Son was El Roi in the flesh.

RESPOND

What is a time in your life when you have felt seen by God? Is there someone in your life who is struggling like Hagar struggled in Genesis? What is something tangible you can do for them today so that they are seen?