Genesis 16 contains an intriguing story in scripture. God had just told Abram that he would have a son and his descendants would be more numerous than stars in the sky. After some time Abram tires of waiting for God to work it out and takes matters into his own hands. He sleeps with his servant girl Hagar and she gets pregnant. (This seems strange to us, but was the custom of the culture)
I feel for Hagar because as a slave, she had no choice in the matter. When Hagar gets pregnant her mistress Sarai began to mistreat her so she runs away and comes face to face with an angel. The angel blesses Hagar and tells her to go back to Abram, she will have a son, and her descendants would be too numerous to count.
She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me (El Roi)”
Genesis 16:13
Hagar was returning to a terrible situation and she had no idea how God would work things out. She obeys the LORD when all she had was a promise and the knowledge that God sees her. What a beautiful picture of hope.
How does Christmas Connect with Hagar
You may be wondering what this story has to do with Christmas. Well, I am here to tell you that the baby in the manger came because God is El Roi — he sees you and me. He saw that we had no way back into his presence, and were outcasts with no hope. Hagar’s story was just the beginning of God sharing his plan to provide a way back into his presence. The rest of the old testament continues to unfold God’s plan for our redemption and the birth of Jesus was the beginning of the fulfillment of his promises.
Philippians 2:6-8 “Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross!
Romans 5:6-8 “you see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us”
Hope of Christmas
I don’t know who may be reading this: You may be trapped by circumstances beyond your control; Struggling with depression and despair; Feel invisible; or live so busy to drown out the oppressing silence. You need to learn from Hagar, God is El Roi, he sees you as you are and he has a plan and promise for your life. Many years ago I felt hopeless and this truth changed my life. (Read my story here).
I pray for each of you as you read these simple words. Whether the holidays bring great joy or is a painful reminder of things you don’t have, know that God is El Roi. He sees you, He loves you and He has a plan for you.
Merry Christmas,
Love Deb
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