Mar 3 - Genesis 16

Genesis chapter 16 is our reading for today. Here we read about Abram’s first son.

1. In this chapter we read that Sarai, Abram’s wife, told him to sleep with their maid to conceive a child. See, Abram wasn’t the only one having a difficult time believing God would come through on his promise. Honestly we can understand why; they were both in their eighties and supposed to have a kid. Who wouldn’t have a difficult time trusting that would happen?
2. You might be thinking it’s weird that Sarai would tell her husband to have sex with the maid and you’d be right. Except back then in their culture it was perfectly accepted because the slaves we considered property and conceiving a child through a slave was considered the owner’s legal offspring.
3. After getting pregnant however, Hagar started acting a little big headed and so she was despised by Sarai. If Hagar would have remembered her place she would have probably been treated very well. But Sarai “mistreated” Hagar (i.e. she probably beat her) and so she ran away.
4. Then we read that Hagar gave God a new name after he cared for her in the desert and promised her son a nation of his own as well. Hagar called God “El Roi” which means “the God Who sees me.” This is the only time in the Bible God is called by this name.

Today we learn that God sees us even in our most desperate moments. Hagar was pregnant, alone  in the desert and literally dying of thirst; and God speaks to her. He let’s her know he sees it all and has a plan for her and her son’s life. So the obvious question is: What are you going through right now that you feel alone in? God sees you and your pain. Trust that God still has a plan for your life too. Take some time and talk to him about it. God takes pleasure in watching his followers and helping them through tough times in their lives.