My friend Meg Newberg has some of the most open eyes I know. With her paintbrush she can capture every nuance of desert sunlight, and yes, every corresponding desert shadow. And just this week she reminded me of her favorite name of God, El Roi, The One Who Sees.
And yet again, it is the heathen outcast, this time Hagar, the Egyptian slave, who encounters God.
Then Hagar called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, "You are God Who Sees"; for she said, "Have I not even here in the wilderness remained alive after seeing Him who sees me with understanding and compassion?" Genesis 16:13
The God Who Sees sent Hagar back home, to live in humility and service, but in the confidence of His promise that her blessings would be too many to count.
And literally, it was the Angel of the LORD who found her by a spring of water. Many Bible scholars believe that this Angel may be a theophany, that is, a physical manifestation of God, in which case the word Angel is capitalized. The Angel of the LORD may, based on context, be the pre-incarnate Christ, the Son of God.
And "literally" is the big go to word these days, and falls out of lips carelessly and without consideration all day long.
But here the term is weighted and potent.
Literally the Christ, who leaves the ninety and nine and pursues the lost and lonely sheep. And reaches down and binds her wounds and lifts her up and carries her home in His gentle embrace.
And yesterday I read about Hagar and this being seen. And literally once again Hagar's empty water skin was empty, drained and crusty. And literally the heat of the desert sun pelted down around her, once again. And literally Hagar had abandoned her joy and her dreams and her hope of a future once again, under a bush to die.
She lifted her broken cry up to YHWH Jireh, and once again The Angel of the LORD responded, "What troubles you? Do not be afraid."
Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water; and she went and filled the empty skin with water. Genesis 21:19
Literally, Hebrew YHWH jireh. Literally the LORD will see (in the sense of "see to it").
Not only does YHWH Jireh see. Not only will YHWH Jireh see to it.
YHWH Jireh also opens eyes to see His provision.
His daily water, splashing and bountiful, enough for yet another day.
Literally.
And yet again, it is the heathen outcast, this time Hagar, the Egyptian slave, who encounters God.
Then Hagar called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, "You are God Who Sees"; for she said, "Have I not even here in the wilderness remained alive after seeing Him who sees me with understanding and compassion?" Genesis 16:13
The God Who Sees sent Hagar back home, to live in humility and service, but in the confidence of His promise that her blessings would be too many to count.
And literally, it was the Angel of the LORD who found her by a spring of water. Many Bible scholars believe that this Angel may be a theophany, that is, a physical manifestation of God, in which case the word Angel is capitalized. The Angel of the LORD may, based on context, be the pre-incarnate Christ, the Son of God.
And "literally" is the big go to word these days, and falls out of lips carelessly and without consideration all day long.
But here the term is weighted and potent.
Literally the Christ, who leaves the ninety and nine and pursues the lost and lonely sheep. And reaches down and binds her wounds and lifts her up and carries her home in His gentle embrace.
And yesterday I read about Hagar and this being seen. And literally once again Hagar's empty water skin was empty, drained and crusty. And literally the heat of the desert sun pelted down around her, once again. And literally Hagar had abandoned her joy and her dreams and her hope of a future once again, under a bush to die.
She lifted her broken cry up to YHWH Jireh, and once again The Angel of the LORD responded, "What troubles you? Do not be afraid."
Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water; and she went and filled the empty skin with water. Genesis 21:19
Literally, Hebrew YHWH jireh. Literally the LORD will see (in the sense of "see to it").
Not only does YHWH Jireh see. Not only will YHWH Jireh see to it.
YHWH Jireh also opens eyes to see His provision.
His daily water, splashing and bountiful, enough for yet another day.
Literally.
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