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
22 comments:
Hallelujah to El Roi, our God who sees. Thank you for sharing this Edie. I did a study of the Names of GOD twice over the last 6 years and each time I learned more, gleaned more and knew HIM more intimately each time. I'm enjoying reading along with what you are sharing.
I love you.
I know I'm young, but I've never heard this before. You have a very interesting blog and I look forward to reading more! (I'm new here) Take care!
Praising GOD that HE knows and sees all and never abandons me.
Great post!!
Hugs,
andrea
I love the many names of God which reveal the many facets of who He is. El Roi makes me think of the scripture in Zephaniah where he sings over me. He sees me and ministers to me even when I am unaware. I'm amazed by His love!
I'm enjoying these posts!
I call Him;
My Sword and My Shied.
My Rock and My Redeemer.
My Ever Increasing Great Reward.
Hey Edie,
What a great lesson! I have the Ann Spangler book too...and one for Names of God at Christmas. What a Savior!
I like the fact that (even though she brought it on herself) God sees us when we are mistreated and we can't do a thing about it.
Loved what you shared Edie in this study. I'm doing it as well, but haven't blogged it. It's amazing how many times I've read in the word this week about God knowing - seeing, everything we do. I'm so thankful for my El Roi!!!
Holykisses xoxo
Lea
Edie, what I so love about this is that when Hagar got alone, then God allowed her to recognize/know her. And that He showed her that He sees...so incredible and what a blessed assurance for you and I. He sees, He is our El Roi.
Much love to YOU!
Posts are just screaming song lyrics to me this week:
One tear in the driving rain,
One voice in a sea of pain
Could the maker of the stars
Hear the sound of my breakin' heart?
One light, that's all I am
Right now I can barely stand
If You're everything You say You are
Won't You come close and hold my heart
El Roi understood Hagar's pain in her heart. Isn't that where we most want to be understood...for someone to meet us? And God does, because that's where He lives.
When we feel like no one in the world can see us and understand where we are, El Roi does. (And I'm fascinated with the fact that this is the only place in Scripture in which this Name is used. We are all "there" so often....)
Good Morning Edie, great post.
I'm pretty sure I'm the only one whose brain is doing this (except maybe my sister), but when I see El Roi, I immediately go to the Jetsons. "Meet George Jetson...his son Elroy...daughter Judy...Jane, his wife." Ru-ro!
I'm glad the God is the one of sees all, and that he is always with me and gets my strange brain! :-)
We had a pastor one time who preached about the different names of God but not indepth like this.
I'm so glad God was watching over me and saw me when I fell a couple weeks ago.
I look forward to hearing more from your posts.
Love you,
AliceE.
PS Got an email from my cousin. He said "doing better, loosing weight." Isn't that just like a man. I'm praising God that He is taking care of Michael. I'm expecting to hear that he is totally healed.
The Jetsons theme song...have you seen it?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSptqzfTSSE
To know that there is no hiding from the God Who sees and watches over us, and Who knows everything that happens, it truly brings me comfort knowing that He is always there and always able to come to my aid anytime, anywhere.
His truth about this that El Roi sees and cares about all of our circumstances, renews the "defenses" of my mind. Then, by His grace, we are able to quench the flaming arrows from the enemies that have doubt and despair. He is our Refuge! Glory to God!
Praying all is well with you sister and in your busyness, may He continue to sustain you with His divine wisdom, strength, comfort and other spiritual blessings. Have a great week! Thank you for sharing these wonderful Names of our God!
BTW, just this morning, before dropping off my son at school, I remember telling him that our prayers [spiritual 911] are better than the 911 system here. When I pick him up later, I'll tell him it's because "El Roi" sees and knows what's going on :)
So glad I found your blog. I got here by following a comment you made on Connie's blog. What great thoughts. It's always so much more powerful and life-changing when God speaks to us like He did to Hagar. How we need that in this wild and crazy world we live in.
Blessings,
Sharon
http://grandmaisawriter.blogspot.com
El Roi sees me. What an incredible comfort. And amazement. Because I know HE sees everything - and still loves me.
Right now I am seeing some things in me that I don't like, and which I am confident He does not like, either. Praying The God Who Sees will pick me up, correct me, forgive me, love and bless me, and continue to use me.
Thanks, once again, for sharing about the Names of God.
I know I keep slipping but I do keep trying to do better. I won't give up.
Hey Edie!!
So blessed by your posting here!!
Praise the Lord forever more that He never, ever overlooks anyone and looks upon us with eyes and heart of love, mercy and compassion!! He see's me....what an indescribable comfort!!
Thanks so much for sharing!
Hugs and Sweet Blessings!
Jackie
Haha. Sadly, CK and I are right on the same wavelength.
Also, i just hate the fact that He sees and knows all, That is scary.
I need to straighten up asap.
I feel certain El Roi has been watching me. He has seen me.
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