The God Who Sees

Ten years have passed and Abram remains childless. Acting out of disappointment and unbelief, Sarai takes matters into her own hands and concocts a plan that will likely result in a child for her. The cultural conventions of her day allow a servant to act somewhat as a surrogate, providing those who are barren with children. Hagar thus becomes pregnant and the whole plan goes astray with a tragic mix of sin thrown in. Eventually she makes for her former home, seeking a return to Egypt. The Lord God doesn't stand by, however; he meets Hagar in the wilderness and sends her back to Abram and Sarai, but not without a stout promise of blessing. The child she will bear will himself father a multitude! In this interaction, God's compassion and pity are on full display. He is the God who sees the needy and brokenhearted. Such compassion reaches its zenith in the self-giving of the true Son of promise, Christ himself. Let us continue steadfast in faith as we patiently wait on our compassionate God!