This morning we are exploring a Genesis story that doesn’t always get a lot of attention. And, while our reading will come from Chapter 21, it is really important to begin in Chapter 16. You will recall that God had promised Abram and Sarai children – lots of descendants. Years have passed from the start of their journey and that promise, but Abram and Sarai have had no children.
Sarai has grown tired of waiting on God’s 
promises that she will have children and so she “gives” her Egyptian slave girl Hagar to Abram for Abram to impregnate. Not an easy story – Hagar has no choice and apparently it was not uncommon in biblical times for people of power or status to engage in this practice. Hagar is at the mercy of Abram and Sarai.
Once Hagar becomes pregnant, according to the story, she taunts Sarai with this and Sarai in anger and jealousy treats Hagar with great cruelty with Abram’s full blessing to do so. The pregnant Hagar runs away and finds herself in the wilderness where the Lord’s messenger (an angel) finds her and advises her to go back and endure the harsh treatment. But, the angel also makes her a promise that she would have many offspring – sound familiar. The angel is making the same promise to her that God has made to Abram and Sarai.
Hagar may be a slave, she may be looked down upon by Sarai, she may be a foreigner but see how God treats her. She is the first person in the Bible to see an angel of the Lord and she is the only person in the Bible who gives God a name, El Roi, which translates into “The God who sees me” or “The God who sees.” This God sees. Do we? Would we see Hagar? Really see her?
Now we can argue with the angel’s counsel to go back to Sarai and endure the harsh treatment – not what I would counsel someone who is being abused, but for whatever reason it isn’t time for her to leave. But does she leave the same way she fled into the wilderness? Is she the same Hagar? Or does the angel’s message give her hope for her and her unborn child? Does she leave a more hopeful person because of her encounter with the angel? Hold that thought.
Now we come to Chapter 21 and Sarai and Abram have been renamed Sarah and Abraham because in the span of four chapters, Sarah has given birth to their son Isaac. Hagar also had her son named Ishmael. And once again Sarah’s jealousy and cruelty are on full display – so here is the rest of Hagar’s story. Genesis 21:9-21
Sarah tells Abraham to cast Hagar and her young son out – she doesn’t care where – just away so that Ishmael can’t inherit. Abraham does nothing to stop this – yet is assured that his son Ishmael will also be made a great nation. He will inherit. Same promise, different son.
But things get very dire for Hagar and Ishmael out in the wilderness – their water is gone, likely the bread is gone, no money, no place to go and so she puts Ishmael down, goes a bit away because she cannot bear to watch her child die. Can you imagine the despair Hagar must have felt? Have you ever felt such despair? Experienced such cruelty?
This is a hard story. Sarah and Abraham act horribly in this narrative – no care, no compassion, they don’t see Hagar or Ishmael as human beings loved just as much by God as they are. They don’t see her do they?
But the angel of the Lord sees her – God hears Ishmael’s cries. The angel of God calls to Hagar asking what is wrong? God sees and hears her. God loves her and her son more than she can imagine. And God makes provision for her for suddenly there is a well for water, and a promise that her son will become a great nation.
The hope that she came back with the first time was not misplaced. El Roi has seen her. Do we?
This story has so many layers for us to consider today. Do we see the Hagars in our world? The ones thrown out on the street because of gender identification, sexual orientation or just because we don’t want you anymore.
This happened to a college student I knew – between semesters he suddenly found he had no place to live because his parents cut him off when he came out to them, but his friends saw him. They found a larger place to live so he could come live with them, and through me and another pastor, we were able to find furniture, bedding, towels, clothing, school supplies – everything he would need to stay in school.
Do we see those who have been scapegoated and pushed to the margins of society – often having violent words thrown at them that served to dehumanize and otherize them particularly immigrants and transgender folk. Do we see them as God sees them? And, if we see them, do we want to really engage and know them? Love them like God does? How can we as a community of faith be more attentive to the ones God sees – to see as El Roi sees?
And, when we feel like Hagar – cast out into the wilderness – can we find hope in the assurances of God that God sees us, loves us, and does not abandon us? Do we believe God sees us when we are at our lowest point? How hard is it to have hope when all feels lost?
Maybe at those times, we will recall Hagar’s words – you are El Roi – the God who sees me. Take hope in that assurance that God sees us – and know that we live in God’s timing not ours. When that makes us anxious or feeling despair – a feeling that our living water is running out – think of Hagar and El Roi. Remember that we are seen, known and loved. Then let us take that remembrance out to others so that we see, know and love. May it be so. Amen.