Since I also have the book by Ann Spangler, Praying the Names of God, I have decided to combine the two studies to glean more of God through my study of His Names. What I share here is only what I learn, it is not an in-depth lesson on His Name. I would so encourage you to do your own study and allow God to reveal Himself in ways that will speak intimately to you.
Hagar was Sarai's (Sarah) maidservant. Sarai had given Hagar to her husband Abram (Abraham) to conceive a child since she, Sarai, had not been able to conceive. By law the child would be considered Sarai's offspring. After Hagar was pregnant with child, the bible says she despised her mistress Sarai. The NLT says "she began to treat her mistress, Sarai, with contempt."
He slept with Hagar, and she conceived. When she knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress. Genesis 16:4
Because of Hagar's behavior, Sarai began to mistreat her until Hagar couldn't take it any longer and she ran away. While she was sitting near a spring in the desert, God came to her, told her to go back and submit to her mistress, and He blessed her with a promise for her descendents. In response, she called Him El Roi.
Thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the Lord, who had spoken to her. She said, “You are the God who sees me.” She also said, “Have I truly seen the One who sees me?” Genesis 16:13
This is the only time in the bible that the Name El Roi is used. I can just imagine Hagar sitting there wondering what in the world she was going to do now. She had blown it. Yes Sarai had mistreated her and that was wrong, but if she hadn't gotten out of line in the first place, she wouldn't be in this predicament. Now what? These are some of the thoughts I can imagine might be running through Hagar's mind.
Have you ever felt like that? Like you've blown it because of a wrong choice or behavior? I have. More times than I would care to admit. At those times I still fall prey to the thought that God might decide to look away or overlook me. I beat myself up for saying the wrong thing, offending another person, falling back into that sin that won't let go.
Whether it is an intentional act on our part or just carelessness that lands us in a bad spot, El Roi still sees us. He does not overlook anyone, ever, for any reason. He looks on us with love and mercy. He comes to us, picks us up, corrects us, forgives us, loves us, blesses us, and continues to use us.
He will not let your foot slip— He who watches over you will not slumber. Psalm 121:3
How does El Roi, The God Who Sees, speak to your heart or impact your life?
"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou
