Hagar and God

  Whereas God asked Adam and Eve, "Where are you?", his angel asks Hagar, "Where are you going?"  When she tells him she is running away from Sarai, he tells her to go back.  Go back into that abusive situation where Sarai is mean to her and Abram doesn't defend her.  There is more bad news.  Her son, whom she is to name Ishmael, will be a "wild ass of a man, with his hand against everyone, and everyone's hand against him; and he shall live at odds with his kin" (Gen 16:12).
  But there is good news too.  The name Ishmael means "God hears", signifying that God heard her cries and knew her situation.  Plus, she has the promise that God will multiply her descendants such that they cannot be counted.  Then Hagar is so bold as to name God.  She decided to call him "El-roi" which means both "the God I have seen" and "the God who sees me."
  I always thought Moses was brave to ask God his name, but Hagar out does Moses.  She gives God a name.
  For reflection: What is my favorite name for God and how does it reflect my relationship with God?
  Let us pray.  God, we thank you for hearing us, for knowing where we are coming from and where we are going.  We thank you for seeing us and letting us see you.  Help us to see you in all of life's situations and to hear your guidance as to what we should do.

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