Genesis 16:13 She 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.”
Commentary says about these verses: “Hagar thought her circumstances needed transformation; in fact, she needed transformation.” That seems to describe Sarai in this chapter as well–Sarai wanted a child, Hagar wanted…a position or some power instead of powerlessness, perhaps. But both seem to have in mind what should change in their circumstances to make their lives better.
Genesis 16:14 That is why the well was called Beer Lahai Roi; it is still there, between Kadesh and Bered.
Haven’t we all been there, though? I know I have. In my mind, I know exactly what should transpire, what the situation should be, what I should have or not have, do or not do, in order for everything to be just exactly right in my world. But life never quite works that way, and that’s the point here, I think. We don’t need circumstances to be exactly a certain way, we need Jesus as our center so that we can face whatever circumstances come our way.
Genesis 16:15 So Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram gave the name Ishmael to the son she had borne.
Precious Savior, It sounds almost trite to say we need You first so that we can handle everything else, but it is anything but. We need You, first and foremost in our lives, so that we can handle all the other things. Thank You for that reminder. Thank You for that truth. Thank You for Your love, Your goodness, Your presence. Thank You. Amen.
Genesis 16:16 Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore him Ishmael.
Have a blessed day.