El Roi!

Have you ever been in a situation and encountered someone who knew what you were going through without you telling them? Have you ever prayed to God for an answer which was brought to you by a stranger? Have you ever desired a need to be met and received what you needed from someone without asking? Let’s talk about El-Roi!

In Genesis chapter 16, we read about Sarai, Abram and Hagar. Abram was married to Sarai, and the Lord had promised them they’d have a son. Sarai, due to her inability to conceive and her impatience, devised a plan to give her servant to her husband. Abram agreed with his wife’s plan, married the servant, and produced a child. The servant began to dislike Sarai and treat her badly. So Abram instructed Sarai to handle the situation however she pleased; so she began to treat her servant so harshly that she ran away. {Take note that I intentionally described Hagar as “servant” instead of by her name. When you read the scriptures, you will note that when Sarai and Abram referred to Hagar, they used “servant” as well.}

Genesis chapter 16, verses seven and eight read, “The angel of the Lord found Hagar beside a spring of water in the wilderness, along the road to Shur. The angel said to her, ‘Hagar, Sarai’s servant, where have you come from, and where are you going?’ ‘I’m running away from my mistress, Sarai,’ she replied.” This encounter with the angel of the Lord is the first time that Hagar is addressed by her name. Not only was she addressed by her name, she was described as “Sarai’s servant” which was her identifying factor at that time. Hagar was not well known or high ranked within the social system. She did not possess the riches and wealth of her master. She had been given away to a man to conceive a child as if she was a piece of property. BUT THE ANGEL OF THE LORD FOUND HER!

Genesis chapter 16, verses 11 and 13 read, “And the angel of the Lord also said, ‘You are now pregnant and will give birth to a son. You are to name him Ishmael (which means ‘God hears’), for the Lord has heard your cry of distress’; thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the Lord, who had spoken to her. She said, ‘You are the God who sees me (El-Roi)’.” Not only did the angel of the Lord find Hagar in the wilderness, He confirmed her pregnancy, named her son, and reassured her that the Lord had heard her cry of distress. THE LORD SAW HAGAR AND RESPONDED!

The angel of the Lord found Hagar pregnant, in the wilderness, and on the run from her master. Hagar was not only risking her life, but she was also risking her unborn child’s life. And maybe you have found yourself in a condition with circumstances which appear to be unbearable just as Hagar did. Maybe you have ran or are desiring to run into the wilderness in an attempt to escape the circumstances. Maybe you have not considered that you are pregnant with purpose and running away into the wilderness could cause death to your purpose and yourself. Maybe you have not considered that God sees you; He cares about you; He has heard your cry of distress; and He will respond to your cry. Maybe you just need a reminder that no matter what situation you are in and where the journey of life has brought you, God sees you and is able to deliver you. Instead of running away from your situation and circumstances, RUN TO EL ROI!! Friend, Hagar only needed to know that God saw her! She only needed a word from the Lord! After the encounter with the angel of the Lord, she returned to her master! My friend, this is your word from the Lord, “I see you, and I will respond!” TTYL!

*DISCLAIMER: The author of this posting does not suggest or recommend staying in environments, situations, or circumstances which are abusive. The author does not promote verbal, physical, sexual, financial, discriminatory, emotional, psychological, institutional, domestic, or any other manners of abuse. If you are in an abusive situation or environment, the author encourages you to seek help and exit safely. The author desires for you to know that despite the conditions, God sees you and is able to provide a way of escape for you!