Hagar’s Story: The God Who Sees You

Hagar’s Story: The God Who Sees You

Introduction

In the grand narrative of Scripture, certain figures emerge quietly—without grandeur, without acclaim—but with stories that echo through time. Hagar is one such figure. She was not a matriarch, not a prophet, not even an Israelite. She was a servant. A foreigner. A woman with little power or standing. And yet, it is to Hagar that God reveals one of His most tender and intimate names: El Roi—“the God who sees me.”

Her story, found in Genesis 16 and 21 , is both ancient and deeply relevant. For anyone who has ever felt invisible, abandoned, or cast aside, Hagar’s experience reminds us that God sees, hears, and cares—even in the wilderness of life.

Who Was Hagar?

Hagar was an Egyptian maidservant in the household of Abram and Sarai (later Abraham and Sarah) . As part of their household, Hagar was likely acquired when the couple sojourned in Egypt during a famine (Genesis 12:10–20). She would have been young, enslaved, and far from home—subject to her masters’ wishes.

Sarai, unable to conceive, proposed that Abram have a child through Hagar, following the custom of surrogate motherhood common in the Ancient Near East. Though legal in the culture, the act placed Hagar in a deeply vulnerable position. She was treated as a means to an end—her voice and choice ignored.

Lesson #1: God sees those whom the world overlooks.
Even when systems, customs, or people reduce others to objects or tools, God never does. Hagar was more than a servant—she was a person with dignity and destiny.

Genesis 16: Hagar in the Wilderness

After Hagar became pregnant, tension erupted. She looked with contempt on Sarai, and in turn, Sarai mistreated her. The Bible says that Hagar fled “into the wilderness,” a place of desolation, danger, and loneliness.

It is there—in that harsh place of isolation—that God meets her.

“The angel of the Lord found Hagar near a spring in the desert... and said, ‘Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?’” —Genesis 16:7–8

This question is both literal and deeply spiritual. God is inviting Hagar to reflect on her journey and her identity. But what’s even more powerful is the fact that God calls her by name.

In a society that treated her as property, God identifies her personally. He sees her. He knows her. And He speaks to her with compassion and purpose.

El Roi: The God Who Sees Me

After hearing from the angel of the Lord, Hagar responds in awe and wonder:

“You are the God who sees me... I have now seen the One who sees me.” —Genesis 16:13

This is the only place in Scripture where God is given the name El Roi—"the God who sees.” It is not Abraham or Moses or David who receives this revelation, but a marginalized, foreign, pregnant woman alone in the desert.

Lesson #2: God meets us in our lowest places.
In the wilderness of heartbreak, betrayal, or uncertainty, God shows up. He doesn’t need perfect settings to reveal His glory—He meets us in our mess.

Lesson #3: Being seen by God changes everything.
To be seen by others might bring temporary relief, but to be seen by God is to be known, loved, and restored in the deepest way possible.

God's Instructions and Hagar's Return

In a surprising twist, the angel instructs Hagar to return to Sarai and submit to her. This might seem troubling today, but the instruction came with a promise of future hope :

“I will increase your descendants so much that they will be too numerous to count.” —Genesis 16:10

God doesn't promise ease, but He promises destiny. Hagar’s son, Ishmael , whose name means “God hears,” would become the father of a great nation. Her pain would not be the end of her story—it would be the womb of new purpose.

Lesson #4: God doesn’t just see your pain—He transforms it.
Sometimes, God sends us back into difficult places—not to suffer, but to show that even there, His promise still holds true.

Genesis 21: Hagar Cast Out—Again

Years later, after Sarah finally gives birth to Isaac, Hagar and Ishmael are cast out again—this time permanently. Abraham, distressed by Sarah’s demand to send Hagar away, is reassured by God that Ishmael will also be blessed.

Hagar again finds herself in the wilderness—this time without hope. She places her son under a bush and distances herself, not wanting to witness his death from thirst.

But then, God acts:

“God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar... ‘Do not be afraid. God has heard the boy crying... Lift the boy up... I will make him into a great nation.’” —Genesis 21:17–18

God opens Hagar’s eyes to a nearby well. Her needs are met. Her son is saved. Her promise is renewed.

The God Who Sees—and Hears

In both of Hagar’s wilderness encounters, God sees and God hears . These are the hallmarks of divine compassion. He is not a distant deity but a present, attentive Father.

• In Genesis 16, He sees Hagar.

• In Genesis 21, He hears Ishmael.

Together, these revelations give us a profound picture of God's nature.

Lesson #5: God’s care is both personal and generational.
He sees you and your children. He knows your fears and your future. His love extends beyond your moment of pain into the destiny He’s preparing.

Why Hagar’s Story Still Matters

Hagar's story is more than a historical account—it's a prophetic picture for all who feel lost, mistreated, or invisible.

• For the abused , God sees your wounds.

• For the rejected , God calls you by name.

• For the weary , God reveals a well of life-giving water.

• For the forgotten , God has written your story into Scripture.

Hagar’s story tells us that God’s eyes are always on the brokenhearted . He sees what others overlook. He lifts up those the world casts down. And He does not forget.

How to Live in the Light of El Roi

1. Call Out to God in Your Wilderness
   Don’t hide your pain. Cry out like Hagar and Ishmael. He will answer. Your cries are never wasted.

2. Trust That You Are Seen, Even When Unseen by Others
   Your identity is not rooted in people’s perception but in God’s attention. You are never invisible to Him.

3. Hold Onto God’s Promises
   Even when life takes unexpected turns, God’s purposes remain. Like Hagar, you may not understand the path—but the promise still stands.

4. Encourage Others with Hagar’s Story
   Share the truth of El Roi with someone who feels unseen. Be a voice of hope and a reminder that God is close to the broken.

Conclusion: You Are Seen

In a world where so many feel discarded, misunderstood, or forgotten, Hagar’s story shines like a beacon of hope. The same God who met her in the desert meets us in our distress. He is El Roi —the God who sees you, hears you, and walks with you.

When life feels unfair, when people fail you, when your strength is gone—remember Hagar. Remember the spring in the wilderness. Remember the God who sees.

“You are the God who sees me.” —Genesis 16:13

He sees you now. And He’s not finished with your story.

Prayer

Dear El Roi,
Thank You for being the God who sees. Thank You for meeting us in our wilderness moments and for calling us by name when we feel forgotten. You saw Hagar, and You see us. When life feels uncertain and lonely, remind us of Your presence. Help us to trust Your promises, even when the path is hard. Open our eyes to Your provision and give us the courage to keep going. In Jesus’ name, Amen.