Genesis 16:7-15 The Lord’s Care for Hurting People

Hagar was a poor slave woman who had obeyed her master, Abraham, by having a child with him. Now she finds herself driven from the house. She has lost her source of food and shelter. In addition she is a single woman who is about to have a child.

An angel finds Hagar and asks her why she is fleeing. Hagar tells the angel, “I’m running from my mistress, Sarai” (Gen 16:8).

Then angel tells Hagar to return to Sarai and submit to her. Further, the angel promises to greatly bless Hagar by giving her a great many descendants.

This son would be named Ishmael, a wordplay with the phrase “For the Lord has heard your painful groans” (Gen 16:11). The word Ishmael comes from two words meaning “God hears.” The angel lets Hagar know that the Lord has heard her groans.

Ishmael will be a wild donkey of a man. This phrase might seem like an insult to us, but it is not. The angel is merely stating that Ishmael will live in the wilderness away from society. He will not be constrained by the society Hagar is fleeing. He will be free. Even though Hagar will return to Sarai, her son will eventually be free from Sarai and Abraham.

Hagar reacts in worship, “You are the God who sees me, for she said ‘Here I have seen one who sees me” (Gen 16:13). That place became known as Beer Lahai Roi, the well of the One who sees me.

Hagar realized that God is the one who cares for the oppressed. He had seen her in her time of need. He had blessed her and promised to greatly bless her.

Are you hurting today? Do you feel all alone? Are you oppressed by someone? Are you depressed as you reflect upon your situation? Do things in you life seem hopeless? Do you wonder whether God could bless you because you don’t even know if He exists?

As far as we know, Hagar was not a person who believed in God. She was an oppressed person running from distress.

In her time of need, God met her and blessed her.

He can do the same for you and me. He is One who sees us. He hears our painful groans. He responds.

In the New Testament, Jesus went into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. Him. What happened? The Lord sent angels to minister to him and care for him (Matt 4:11).

In the same way, the Lord cares for us. He knows our needs. He also has the power to meet them.

“Casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you”
- 1 Pet 5:7