Carlos PuentesIn a simple tent, under the harsh desert sun, a story unfolds—one that challenges our perceptions and invites us to see the unseen. This is the story of Hagar, an Egyptian slave, seemingly insignificant in the grand narrative of the Bible, yet her encounter with God offers us profound insights into faith, dignity, and divine presence.
Hagar finds herself alone and distressed in the wilderness, fleeing the harsh treatment of Sarai, Abram’s wife. But it is here, in her utmost vulnerability, that she experiences a divine encounter that changes not just her life but also how we understand God’s relationship with us. Overwhelmed by the presence of the angel of the Lord, Hagar does something extraordinary: she names God.
The name that she bestows upon God is El Roi, meaning “The God Who Sees Me.” This act of naming God is profound for several reasons and invites us to ponder its depth.
The Power of Naming
The contrast between how God revealed His name to Moses and how Hagar named God is a fascinating aspect of biblical narrative, highlighting unique ways in which humans interact with the Divine. In Exodus 3, during Moses’ encounter with God, and the angel of the Lord, at the burning bush, God reveals His name as “I AM WHO I AM” (Yahweh | YHWH), a profound revelation of His eternal, self-existent nature. This moment marks a pivotal point in biblical history, as God discloses His personal name to Moses, establishing a special covenant relationship with the people of Israel. It’s a top-down revelation, where God Himself dictates how He is to be known and understood by His chosen people, and thus, the world.
In complete contrast, Hagar’s experience in Genesis 16 presents a bottom-up interaction. As a marginalized Egyptian slave woman, Hagar finds herself in desperate circumstances, fleeing abuse and mistreatment. In her moment of need, she encounters the angel of the Lord, and through this divine meeting, she names God “El-Roi“. Unlike Moses, who receives God’s name directly from Him, Hagar names God based on her personal experience of His character and actions towards her. This act of naming by Hagar is not just a personal expression of faith but also an assertion of her recognition of God’s presence and care in her life. It’s a unique moment where a human being assigns a name to God based on the divine attributes they have personally encountered.
Both instances highlight different facets of God’s relationship with humanity. Moses’ encounter emphasizes God’s sovereignty and the establishment of a covenant identity for His people, while Hagar’s story highlights God’s intimate care and concern for individuals, even those on the fringes of society. Together, they paint a rich picture of a God who is both transcendent, commanding respect and reverence through His self-revealed name, and immanent, personally involved in the lives of His creation, as experienced and named by Hagar.
The God Who Sees
Firstly, recognizing God as “El-Roi” highlights God’s omnipresence and omniscience. Hagar’s declaration acknowledges that no one is invisible to God, that He sees everyone, especially those pushed to the margins, those suffering in silence. It’s a theological truth that brings comfort and hope, emphasizing that we are never alone, for God sees us in our entirety—the good, the bad, and everything in between.
Even more, Hagar’s moment of naming God signifies empowerment and agency. In a time and culture where her status as a female slave would have rendered her voiceless, Hagar speaks a profound truth into existence. She asserts her worth and dignity in the eyes of the Divine, reminding us that everyone, regardless of social status, has the power to experience God personally and profoundly. This act of naming, then, is not just a personal declaration of faith but a radical assertion of her inherent value as a human being.
Hagar’s direct, personal relationship with God outside the established lines of Abraham’s family is revolutionary. It breaks the barriers of cultural and social expectations, illustrating the universality of God’s care and concern. Her encounter with God reminds us that divine grace extends beyond boundaries, reaching those who might feel unworthy or overlooked.
Considering Hagar as a prophetess in a symbolic sense opens up intriguing possibilities. While not a prophetess in the traditional sense, as we often consider, Hagar’s story indeed carries prophetic weight. It foreshadows the inclusive nature of God’s kingdom, prefiguring themes of grace, redemption, and the broad embrace of God’s love. Her experience with “The God Who Sees Me” serves as a testament to the idea that God’s presence and concern extend to all, offering a message of hope and inclusion that resonates through the ages.
Hagar’s story, then, is more than just a historical footnote; it’s a beacon of hope for the unseen and unheard. It challenges us to recognize the dignity and worth of every individual and to see the divine in the most unexpected places and faces. In the wilderness of our own lives, may we find comfort in “El-Roi,” the God who sees us, knows us, and loves us, just as He did with Hagar, the unseen prophetess of the Most High.
Carlos Puentes
