A desperate mother watching her son die. A desperate father raising the knife over his son.
Hagar, Sarah’s servant, ran away the first time because Sarah mistreated her after Hagar treated Sarah with contempt for being given as a concubine to Sarah’s husband Abraham. This had been at Sarah’s own request to gain a son “by proxy.” When Hagar, weary, sat down in the wilderness, the Lord approached her saying, “Hagar, servant of Sarai,” he said, “where have you come from, and where are you going?” (Gen. 16:8). The Lord then told Hagar, “Behold, you have conceived and will bear a son. And you shall name him Ishmael. for the LORD has heard your cry of affliction.” So Hagar declared, “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “Here I have seen the One who sees me!” This is the first use of the name El Roi, the God who sees.
Later, when Ishmael was a young teen, she and Ismael again showed contempt, this time toward Isaac, the true son of Sarah, and Sarah insisted they be banished from Abraham’s household and lands. After fleeing to the wilderness and running out of water, Hagar settled Ishmael under a bush to die. She removed herself a way apart as she could not bear to watch. As she and Ishmael wept, God called from heaven and told her not to be afraid, that He was going to make a great nation of Ishmael. “Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water.” (emphasis added) Then God opened her eyes.
We see something similar with Ishmael’s half brother, Isaac, when God tested Abraham’s faith by telling him to take Isaac to Mt. Moriah to make him a sacrifice. Just as Abraham was poised to strike his son, God stopped him acknowledging Abraham had proved his faith. It was at that point that “Abraham looked up and saw behind him a ram in a thicket, caught by its horns. So he went and took the ram and offered it as a burnt offering in place of his son.” (Genesis 22:13, emphasis added). Just as Hagar recognized God as El Roi, Abraham now recognizes God as Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides: “And Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide.”
In both these stories God shows Himself faithful–the God who sees our need, and the God who provides the remedy. Notice that in each instance the humans didn’t “see” the remedy that was right in front of them. There are times when God purposely denies us sight/recognition, as in the case of the disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24), and in the two stories above. But how many times do we miss seeing our provision because we are too focused on the need, distress, fear, desperation at hand? God is El Roi. He sees everything about us. He sees our needs. He sees our tears. He is Jehovah Jireh. He provides. He is the remedy. In all our distresses, the more we can force ourselves to focus on Jesus, the more likely we will “see” Him working, and working on our behalf.
Be encouraged, dear ones. I don’t know about you but I am heartbroken at what is taking place in our country. I am a WWII baby, raised in a patriotic military home. I went to school when love of country and our fellow man were noble pursuits. Kindness and tactful/gentle speech were encouraged. Bible prophecy tells us to expect what we see happening to increase. But it sure is painful to watch. So, I tell myself, watch/see those things that are good. We can be informed, but our visual and mental focus must be on the promises of God in these dark times. He is coming. His purpose will be fulfilled. He sees. He will provide in the meantime.
This Isn't All There Is 