Every Woman's Bible Genesis sampler - Flipbook - Page 35
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Ha ar
IDENTIT Y
Honored by Names
“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”
Shakespeare penned these words spoken by Juliet, pondering the significance of names. For
Hagar, being called by name and being allowed to name bring her honor.
Sarai was unable to get pregnant, despite God’s promise, so she took matters into her own
hands and arranged for Hagar, an enslaved Egyptian woman, to sleep with Abram. Hagar
conceived, and her relationship with Sarai turned awful. Hagar was treated so harshly by Sarai
that she decided to run away.
God went looking for Hagar and called her by name (16:8). Throughout the story, Abram
and Sarai had never called Hagar by her name. But God knew her and her situation intimately.
And they had a one-on-one conversation. Hagar, a Gentile
who was considered property, enjoyed a powerful and tender
exchange with the God of the universe.
When I feel invisible,
When they had finished, Hagar gave God a name (16:13).
I find hope in El-roi,
She is the only one in Scripture to have this honor. She called
him El-roi, which translates to “the God who sees me.”
the God who sees me
Hagar was seen and known by God and was allowed to
and knows my name.
know God right back. Through Hagar’s story, God showed he
values and honors women, even when others might not.
HAGAR’S STORY IS TOLD IN GENESIS 16; 21; SHE IS ALSO MENTIONED IN GALATIANS 4:21-31.
IDENTIFY
Have you ever felt overlooked or invisible?
What was that like?
Have you experienced God
looking and calling for you?
What happened and how
did you respond?
“When I feel invisible or
overlooked, I find hope in
El-roi, the God who sees
me and knows my name
and circumstances. He is
near to you and me as we
look to him.”
VIVIAN MABUNI is a
national speaker, author
of Open Hands, Willing
Heart, and podcast host
of Someday Is Here for
AAPI Christians, with over
thirty years of ministry
experience.
