Text verses: Genesis 16:6d-15

Introduction

To learn the background for this devotion, read Genesis 16:1-6. In verse 6, we see “Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face.” Hagar despised Sarai after she had conceived (verses 5-6).

Now, in our text verses, the Angel of the Lord finds Hagar “by a fountain of water in the wilderness” (verse 7). Note the three parts of this meeting:

1. God asked Hagar a question, “Whither wilt thou go?” (verse 8)
2. God commanded her to go back and submit herself to Sarai (verse 9)
3. God promises Hagar to bless her seed (verse 10); He named her unborn son Ishmael (verse 11); then God describes Ishmael’s character (verse 12).

Hagar named the place where God spoke to her, “Thou God seest me”; and she said, “Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?” (verse 13). Hagar had asked a rhetorical question (asked merely for effect, with no answer expected).

The answer to Hagar’s question is obvious: If God saw her, and she was made aware of His seeing her, than she did look after him.

Hagar is a very interesting character in the Old Testament:

1. She was picked up by Abram while he was in Egypt (Genesis 12:16).
2. She became Abram’s second wife.
3. She was the mother of Ishmael.
4. She was found by God, seen of God, blessed by God; she was a Child of God.
5. God had two encounters with Hagar (Genesis 16:7-15; 21:15-20).
6. She is a type of Old Testament Jerusalem and the Law (see Galatians 4:22-31); her son was not to be heir, he was cast out (as Old Testament Israel was cast out) for Sarah’s son, Isaac, who was the heir. (See Romans 9:6-24: Ishmael, child of the flesh; Isaac, child of promise.)

Today we ask: What does it mean to be seen of God?

A. Sovereign Selection (Genesis 16:1-6)

It was no mistake that Hagar was selected to be Sarai’s handmaid:

“There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.” (Proverbs 19:21)

“But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.” (Job 23:13)

No, no mistake – God placed Hagar in Abram’s house to bring to light Romans 9:6-24.

B. Sovereign Seeking (Genesis 16:7)

The Angel of the Lord found her; she did not find Him, she did not seek him. It is the same with Adam, Noah, and all of God’s Elect. See God seeking Abraham in Genesis 3; 6; 11 and 12; and Moses in Exodus 3. With each and every servant of God; it was – and is – God seeking them out. (See Acts 9:1-17.)

See Genesis 16:11d, “because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.”

C. Sovereign Submission (Genesis 16:13)

Hagar knew God had seen her affliction and He had given her promise and mercy. Also, she confessed she looked after him.

So do we today who have been Regenerated.