Adonai El Roi: The God Who Sees

Intro

Introduce myself

Jump into the story of Hagar found in Genesis 16:1-16.

Sticky Situation

Hagar’s story begins far before she arrives on the scene

God made a promise with Abram (that he would become the father of multitudes)

Only, Abram and his wife Sarai could not concieve; they were barren

Sarai encouraged Abram to concieve a child with her Egyptian servant, Hagar

Which works! Hagar becomes pregnant

This does not have the desired effect Sarai was hoping for; Hagar “looked on Sarai with contempt” and acted better than her

Bearing children was a signficant part of worth for women; Hagar felt she was better than Sarai

So, Sarai lashed out in jealousy and Hagar flees for her life

A significant moment happened when Hagar is in the wilderness, abandoned, alone and without hope

God met her there

An angel of the Lord appeared before Hagar and did 3 things:

He recognized here hardship

“The Lord has listented to your affliction” (v. 11b)

When no one else was around to see her brokenness, God was there. He saw, and He acknowledged it.

He promised to care for her

“I will surely multiply your offspring so that they cannot be numbered for multitude” (v. 10)

More than just “seeing,” God acted to protect Hagar and her unborn child; He made a promise that He would keep

He gave her a clear direction to follow

“Return to your mistress and submit to her.” (v. 9)

Not an easy thing to do! She still had a difficult road ahead of her

But she would be able to walk this road because she knew God saw her and promised to be with her

Hagar then acknowledges what God has done for her and declares that he is Adonai El-Roi, The God Who Sees (v. 13)

She names the well in the wilderness Beer-lahai-roi (the well of the Living One who Sees Me)

Then she obeys the Lord; heads home and gives birth to Ishmael

The God Who Sees Me

Just like Hagar, when we feel abandoned, lost, alone and hurt, God sees you

It is part of His nature; who He is!

Maybe you have a hard time fitting in at school, stress at home in the family, coworkers bully you, someone you love is sick

Whatever the case may be for you, God is the God who sees

For me, it was when I suffered a tremendous loss

Share story of losing Selah; Silas as a rainbow baby, “The Lord has remembered”

God remembers you, He sees you, and He knows your name

Hagar’s story points to something that would happen thousands of years later; the birth of Christ

Introduce and show the monologue from “The Chosen”