In Genesis 16 and 21 we read about Hagar. Everyone involved was full of flaws and shortcomings including Hagar. However we see the character of God made manifest in this situation. God remains undivided to both sides extending His hand of mercy to everyone. Abraham and Sarah mistreated this slave woman and it causes Hagar to run to a wilderness all alone multiple times. God finds her both times as she is cast away. He nourishes her with words of life and in Genesis 16:13 she does something very interesting, she gives God a name. She calls God El Roi (The God Who Sees Me). She is the only person in bible who gives God a name. Abraham named the place God tested him Jehovah Jireh, and Jacob named the places He encountered God (Bethel, Penial, El-Elohe-Israel), but Hagar actually gave God Himself a name (El Roi).

There is a lot we can learn from this story. First is the undivided heart of God. Even though His promise was always to come through Sarah, He didn’t leave or forsake those who were effected by Abraham trying to take God’s promise into His own hands. In fact we actually see the special treatment and love God gives Hagar. Many times we are cast into a wilderness unfairly. We are treated wrongfully, but when we end up in the wilderness it’s there that we encounter the Living God and find favor before Him. We may even get the privilege to give God a name.

May we bless all in every situation we may end up in life with an undivided heart.

Matthew 5:44-45 “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”