Hagar is Comforted by a God Who "Sees" and "Hears"
After Hagar was forced to leave Abram and Sarai’s house because of the ongoing mistreatment and oppression from Sarai, in the second half of Genesis 16, “The angel of the Lord” found Hagar near a spring in the desert and encouraged her.
This is the first time in the Bible that, “The angel of the Lord” appears. Although there is some puzzlement between the connection between “angel of the Lord” and God, it is interesting to note that “angel of the Lord” only appears in the Old Testament. It is also intriguing that the “angel of the Lord” in this passage (and in others) talks with authority as if it is God himself, “I will so increase your descendants.” Furthering this connection, in verse 13, Hagar says, “I have now seen the One who sees me.”
In her collision with the Lord in the desert, Hagar learns that the Lord both “hears” and “sees” her sorrow.
The Lord found her wandering in the desert (a place of desolation throughout the Bible), running from oppression. He sought her out, saw her, spoke to her, and encouraged her.
God is a god who “sees” and “hears” the cries of the oppressed. This is one of many, many times, we will see God’s heart for the broken, victimized, and oppressed.
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God, I ask for protection over my heart. I want to be willing to let go of things that are not Your will for me so that I can make room for the things that You do prepared for me. Guard me from thoughts, relationships, or beliefs that are not from You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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”The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.“
Psalm 103:19 ESV
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Isaiah 5:20 (KJV)
“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”
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GRACE =
Gods
Riches
At
Christs
Expense
Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
- Romans 5:20-21 NKJV -
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Father God, Walking in obedience to You is not always easy or comfortable, but thank You that Your Spirit empowers me for whatever You call me to. Thank You for Jesus and the perfect example of obedience and sacrifice He set by going to the Cross and laying down His life for us. Father, when the temptation to think and speak and act like the culture around me is strong, may I remember that He who is within me is greater than he who is in the world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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