Hagar’s story is told in Genesis 16; 21
Hagar: The Woman God Saw and Heard
Have you ever felt invisible? Maybe you’ve gone through a time when you felt ignored, mistreated, or completely alone. If so, you’re not alone—Hagar, a woman from the Old Testament, knew exactly what that felt like. Her story reminds us that even when people overlook us, God sees us, hears us, and cares deeply for us.
Let’s take a closer look at Hagar’s journey and what it teaches us about God’s love and kindness.
Who Was Hagar?
Hagar was an Egyptian servant who worked for Sarah, the wife of Abraham. Sarah couldn’t have children at the time, and she came up with a plan: she would give Hagar to Abraham so that Hagar could have a child for her (Genesis 16:1–2).
Hagar became pregnant, but the situation quickly became tense. Sarah became jealous, and Hagar felt hurt and unwanted.
Running Away in Pain
As the tension grew, Sarah began to treat Hagar harshly. Hagar felt she had no choice but to run away. Alone and pregnant, she found herself in the wilderness, likely scared, exhausted, and unsure of what would happen next.
But in that lonely place, God showed up.
God Meets Hagar in the Desert
While Hagar was resting by a spring of water, an angel of the Lord appeared to her (Genesis 16:7). He gently called her by name—something no one else in the story had done. He asked her where she was coming from and where she was going.
Then, the angel gave her hope. He told her to return home and that God had heard her. He also promised that her son, whom she would name Ishmael (which means “God hears”), would grow into a great nation.
At that moment, Hagar gave God a special name: El Roi, which means “The God who sees me.”
“She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me.’” (Genesis 16:13)
Life After Ishmael’s Birth
Hagar returned and gave birth to her son, Ishmael. But years later, after Sarah finally had her own son, Isaac, the tension returned. Sarah didn’t want Ishmael around anymore, so Abraham sent Hagar and Ishmael away (Genesis 21:14).
Once again, Hagar found herself wandering in the wilderness with her son, unsure of how they would survive. When the water ran out, she placed Ishmael under a bush and cried, not wanting to see him die.
But God heard her again.
He spoke to her, opened her eyes to see a well of water, and promised to take care of Ishmael. True to His word, God provided, and Ishmael grew up strong, eventually becoming the father of a great nation.
What Can We Learn from Hagar?
Hagar’s story may be short, but it’s powerful. Here are a few things we can take from her journey:
- God sees us, even when others don’t
- God hears our cries, especially when we feel alone or afraid
- God values every person, no matter where they come from or what their role is
- There is always hope, even when life feels unfair or painful
Final Thoughts
Hagar may have been a servant, a foreigner, and a woman who felt pushed aside—but to God, she was known, seen, and loved. Her story reminds us that no one is invisible to God.
So if you’re walking through a difficult time, or feeling forgotten by others, remember this:
God sees you. God hears you. And God will take care of you.
Reflection question:
Where in your life do you need to be reminded that God sees and hears you?