(pronounced: "ale ROH-ee")
[Hagar] gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: "You are the God who sees me," for she said, "I have now seen the One who sees me."
~ Genesis 16:13 (NIV)
"... your Father in heaven ... makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."
~ Matthew 5:45 (NKJV)
Yesterday's God name was "YHWH is Peace." For the next three days, each name of God presents a subtle distinction found in the peace of God seeing us. The different contexts in which these names appear in Scripture are also worth noting.
The Hebrew word for "see" is raah. Hagar calls the Lord "the God who sees me" after she encounters Him in as the Angel of the Lord (His manner of appearance several times in the Old Testament). Hagar is told that the Lord has heard her affliction, and the child she carries will be a son with descendants too great to be counted. She is instructed to return to her mistress Sarai.
Hagar had despised Sarai, Sarai had dealt harshly with Hagar, so Hagar fled, carrying Abram's only child. Though the Lord already intended to give Abram a child by Sarai, He is not yet finished with Hagar and Sarai. He supernaturally steps into the situation to reconcile the two (at least for the next seventeen years).
Hagar is the slave woman whom God has not ordained to bear the son of inheritance. She has been a source of trouble, and she and her son will be again be a problem in the future. Why wouldn't the Lord just write her off?
Because He sees her and cares about her. He hears her affliction, and even gives her son the name "Ishmael," which means "God hears," so she will not forget it. God also cares for His servant Abram, and will not take Ishmael from him until Abram has Isaac.
Jesus says God blesses us whether we're evil or good, just or unjust. This means wicked people do not necessarily experience immediate or visible consequences. It means we are loved not because we are "naughty or nice," but simply because we are.
And although it may seem that God is not paying attention, He always sees our afflictions because he always sees us—clear into our hearts.
Feedback appreciated! Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
~ Genesis 16:13 (NIV)
"... your Father in heaven ... makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."
~ Matthew 5:45 (NKJV)
Yesterday's God name was "YHWH is Peace." For the next three days, each name of God presents a subtle distinction found in the peace of God seeing us. The different contexts in which these names appear in Scripture are also worth noting.
The Hebrew word for "see" is raah. Hagar calls the Lord "the God who sees me" after she encounters Him in as the Angel of the Lord (His manner of appearance several times in the Old Testament). Hagar is told that the Lord has heard her affliction, and the child she carries will be a son with descendants too great to be counted. She is instructed to return to her mistress Sarai.
Hagar had despised Sarai, Sarai had dealt harshly with Hagar, so Hagar fled, carrying Abram's only child. Though the Lord already intended to give Abram a child by Sarai, He is not yet finished with Hagar and Sarai. He supernaturally steps into the situation to reconcile the two (at least for the next seventeen years).
Hagar is the slave woman whom God has not ordained to bear the son of inheritance. She has been a source of trouble, and she and her son will be again be a problem in the future. Why wouldn't the Lord just write her off?
Because He sees her and cares about her. He hears her affliction, and even gives her son the name "Ishmael," which means "God hears," so she will not forget it. God also cares for His servant Abram, and will not take Ishmael from him until Abram has Isaac.
Jesus says God blesses us whether we're evil or good, just or unjust. This means wicked people do not necessarily experience immediate or visible consequences. It means we are loved not because we are "naughty or nice," but simply because we are.
And although it may seem that God is not paying attention, He always sees our afflictions because he always sees us—clear into our hearts.
Feedback appreciated! Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
It is AMAZING how the holy spirit speaks to me through your work! I honestly love you! LOL!
ReplyDeleteAnother great post, Anne. It sheds light on the age-old question: why are some wicked people blessed while believers go without? In just a few paragraphs, you offer great insight from God's Word to address this question. The time, energy and effort you pour into this wonderful blog!
ReplyDeleteT. Anne, I never get tired of hearing those words. I love you too.
ReplyDeleteGwen, all is by God's enablement. I love seeing you here when I'm not seeing you elsewhere.
By the way, if you two get the chance, stop back by and peek at the photo of the "Eye of God" nebula I added to the post.
Very cool picture. This is the first time I realized Hagar called God the God who sees and God named her son "God hears."
ReplyDeleteI love how these leave a strong sense of relatability w/ God--humanness in Jesus.
~ Wendy
What a comforting, encouraging name of God. Sometimes the simplest reminders can be the most profound.
ReplyDeleteYour words bring comfort, love you.
ReplyDeleteWendy, I don't think Jesus became human so He could better understand us, but so that we could better relate to Him.
ReplyDeleteRosslyn, I find EVERY name of God comforting and encouraging, even the ones that don't immediately seem so.
Denise, I rejoice that my words comfort. I love you too, dear one.