Series: Knowing God [#6]
EL ROI- WHEN YOU ARE USED OR ABUSED
Genesis 16:13
Introduction:
So far in our study, we have come to know God as Elohim, Jehovah, and El Elyon, and Adonai. Through these 4 names we have seen that God not only creates but has a special relationship with human beings. The next name of God that we find is the name El Roi. This name was used by a young servant girl who came to know God better because of terrible mistreatment by other people.
We 1st find this name of God in Genesis 16:13, where Hagar called God “The God Who Sees.” In Genesis 12:2, God had promised Abraham that He would make his family into a great nation. After many years of no children and with Sarah past childbearing age, Abraham became very discouraged. So, God made a covenant with Abraham that not only would his family become a great nation; but that God was going to give his descendants a Promised Land.
However, in the very next chapter of Genesis we find a lapse in faith by Sarah and Abraham. Instead of patiently waiting for God to fulfill His promise, Sarah decided that Abraham should have a child by another woman. So, Abraham had a child by Hagar, Sarah ‘s maid. Like all of life’s decisions that leave out God, the plan of Sarah and Abraham turned bad. When the Egyptian girl Hagar became pregnant by Abraham, her position changed. No longer was she just Sarah’s maid; she was the mother of Abraham’s child. Consequently, Hagar began to despise, or look down on Sarah. The situation grew worse, and when Sarah told Abraham how she felt, Abraham told her to take care of it. Sarah’s solution was to treat Hagar terribly and Hagar fled.
Hagar fled to the wilderness, but the Angel of the LORD found her by a spring of water (Genesis 16:7). There Hagar would have died of dehydration, but the Angel comforted and counseled her. He also gave her a promise that her son was to be called Ishmael. The name Ishmael means “God hears.”
Genesis 16:13 (NIV)
“She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: "You are the God who sees me," for she said, "I have now seen the One who sees me."
The name El Roi tells us…
1. That God sees us.
This name doesn’t just refer to a God who can see the planets in space or the bottom of the ocean; it also refers to a God who sees you and I. God is looking at you right now. He sees you every minute of every day. He knows what is going on in your life; but more importantly, He knows what life is doing to you.
The name El Roi tells us…
2. That God does not discriminate.
This name that Hagar gave to God applies to you and me. It tells us that God is the God of lowly and insignificant people too. Unlike the world, God doesn’t make a distinction between people based upon their gender, or color, etc…
The name El Roi tells us…
3. That God knows the entire plan.
Have you ever been mistreated as Hagar was? Have you been blamed for something that was someone else’s fault? Have you ever been used by someone? If so, you need to get to know God as El Roi. When we are treated unfairly we are tempted to ask, “Where is God? Does the powerful and righteous God of the Bible really care about me? Doesn’t He see the terrible things that happen to me?” Yes, He does. He knows about all the bad things that have ever happened to you and me. He knows about them not because some angel told Him but because He saw it all. We can only get over the hurts of life in which we have been used or abused by realizing that God saw it all. We are 1st introduced to God as El Roi when He tells Hagar through His angel to return to Sarah and be submissive to her.
Sometimes God allows us to go through tough situations not to get us out of something; but to get us into something. Maybe God allows something bad to happen to you to get you in Church, into Bible study, or in fellowship with Him. Whatever it is that you are going through; God sees, God cares, and God has good reason for allowing it to happen. God knows everything, and He knows the entire plan for your life.
Conclusion:
When you are mistreated or are going through a bad situation, remember that God knows all and is watching over you.
