Purpose: To open our minds to God's total awareness of everything.
Aim: I want the listener to live every moment aware of God's presence.
INTRODUCTION: Abram and Sarai had been following the Lord for ten years now and they had learned a lot about living by faith. God promised that they would have a son, but He did not say WHEN they would have a son or HOW they would have a son. Ten years was as long as Sarai wanted to wait for a son so she gave her slave girl Hagar to her husband in hopes that they could have a son through her.
Hagar got pregnant pretty quickly, but that just started trouble. The pregnancy caused a lot of animosity between Hagar and Sarai. Hagar began looking down her nose at Sarai because she could get pregnant and Sarai couldn't. Sarai got very angry; partly perhaps, it was now obvious that she, not Abram, was the reason they hadn't had a child.
The animosity between those two women became so heated that Hagar ran away and headed for home. In order to reach Egypt she had to cross a treacherous desert.
Somewhere out in the wilderness God appears to Hagar at a well and challenges her to return to Sarai and submit to her and then promises that she would have a son who would be the father of a great people. Today we call them Arabs.
Hagar obeys and worships God as El Roi: "The Strong One who Sees."
What an amazing thing that God would pursue a poor slave girl. But, this is not the only time that God chose to bless the most unlikely of people. In the NT we read about another time that the Lord found a woman at a well who was also despised and rejected. We find that story it in John chapter four. Neither of these women were Jews or had a high standing in society and yet God appeared them both. What a testimony to the tender grace of God.
Those are not the only surprising examples of God's amazing grace in the Bible. Rahab was a Gentile prostitute who protected the Jewish spies in Jericho. She and her family were the ONLY ones that God kept alive when Jericho was defeated and later we learn that she was included in the royal line of the Messiah. Rahab is even mentioned the great hall of fame of faith in: Hebrews 11:31 By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace. (NAU)
"Four women are mentioned in Matthew's list of Christ's ancestors. One was Tamar, who tricked Judah and became pregnant by her father-in-law. The second is Rahab, who in her life before becoming a member of the Old Testament community of faith was a pagan who probably engaged in commercial prostitution. The third is Ruth, a Moabitess and not an Israelite at all. And the fourth is Bathsheba, whom David raped and later married." [1]
"We are in reality--just what we are before God--nothing less, nothing more." [2]
REVIEW:
Vs.13 I. What does the Name El Roi mean? "a God who sees"
A. God is all powerful "El"
B. God is all seeing "Roi"
Vs.1-7 II. El Roi Sees us when we are Rejected "the angel of the LORD found her"
Vs.8a III. El Roi Sees us as we Really are "Hagar, servant of Sarai"
Vs.8b-11 IV. El Roi Sees us as Individuals "where are you going?"
Vs.9 V. El Roi Sees what is best for us "Go back...submit to her"
Vs.10-12,14-16 VI. El Roi Sees the Future "I will...you will"
Vs.13 VII. El Roi is our Savior "the LORD"
VIII. What Should the Name El Roi Teach us?
A. All our sin is committed in full view of the I AM
LESSON:
B. In our most painful trials we can have an intimate encounter with God
"Hagar was a victim of circumstances beyond her control. She was away from her homeland and family. She had no one on her side. She had no choice in being used by an old man to produce an heir. She had nowhere to turn for refuge from her harsh and jealous mistress. While Hagar's attitude certainly contributed to her harsh treatment, one wonders whether Hagar would have been treated any better even if she had felt honored to be a surrogate for Sarah.
In spite of all the factors which robbed Hagar of control of her own life, and there were many, Hagar did respond in faith and with obedience to God." [3]
There are many modern day Hagars who feel all alone, weak, and vulnerable. Maybe you are one of them. But, in the midst of our desert experiences God is there.
Jesus said, Matthew 10:29--31 "Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. (NAS)
"At the end your rope? In El Roi you have hope!"
Ken Gaub wrote about an experience he had back in the 1990's.
Do you believe that God not only loves you, but knows where you are and what you're doing every minute of the day?
I certainly do after an amazing experience I had several years ago.
At the time I was driving on 1-75 near Dayton, Ohio, with my wife and children. We turned off the highway for a rest and refreshment stop. My wife Barbara and children went into the restaurant. I suddenly felt the need to stretch my legs, so waved them off ahead saying I'd join them later. I bought a soft drink, and as I walked toward a Dairy Queen, feelings of self-pity enshrouded my mind.
I loved the Lord and my ministry, but I felt drained, burdened. My cup was empty.
Suddenly the impatient ringing of a telephone nearby jarred me out of my doldrums. It was coming from a phone booth at a service station on the corner. Wasn't anyone going to answer the phone?
Noise from the traffic flowing through the busy intersection must have drowned out the sound because the service station attendant continued looking after his customers, oblivious to the ringing.
"Why doesn't somebody answer that phone?" I muttered.
I began reasoning. It may be important. What if it's an emergency? Curiosity overcame my indifference. I stepped inside the booth and picked up the phone.
" Hello," I said casually and took a big sip of my drink.
The operator said: "Long distance call for Ken Gaub."
My eyes widened, and I almost choked on a chunk of ice. Swallowing hard, I said, "You're crazy!"
Then realizing I shouldn't speak to an operator like that, I added, "This can't be! I was walking down the road, not bothering anyone, and the phone was ringing... "
Is Ken Gaub there?" the operator interrupted, "I have a long distance call for him."
It took a moment to gain control of my babbling, but I finally replied, "Yes, he is here."
Searching for a possible explanation, I wondered if I could possibly be on Candid Camera!
Still shaken, perplexed, I asked, "How in the world did you reach me here? I was walking down the road, the pay phone started ringing, and I just answered it on chance. You can't mean me."
" Well," the operator asked, "Is Mr. Gaub there or isn't he?"
"Yes, I am Ken Gaub," I said, finally convinced by the tone of her voice that the call was real.
Then I heard another voice say, "Yes, that's him, operator. That's Ken Gaub."
I listened dumbfounded to a strange voice identify herself. "I'm Millie from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. You don't know me, Mr. Gaub, but I'm desperate. Please help me.
"What can I do for you?"
She began weeping. Finally she regained control and continued. "I was about to commit suicide, had just finished writing a note, when I began to pray and tell God I really didn't want to do this.
Then I suddenly remembered seeing you on television and thought if I could just talk to you, you could help me. I knew that was impossible because I didn't know how to reach you, I didn't know anyone who could help me find you. Then some numbers came to my mind, and I scribbled them down."
At this point she began weeping again, and I prayed silently for wisdom to help her.
She continued, "I looked at the numbers and thought, 'Wouldn't it be wonderful if I had a miracle from God, and He has given me Ken's phone number?'
I decided to try calling it. I can't believe I'm talking to you. "Are you in your office in California?"
I replied, "Lady, I don't have an office in California. My office is in Yakima, Washington."
A little surprised, she asked, "Oh really, then where are you?"
"Don't you know?" I responded. "You made the call."
She explained, "But I don't even know what area I'm calling. I just dialed the number that I had on this paper."
" Ma'am, you won't believe this, but I'm in a phone booth in Dayton, Ohio!"
" Really?" she exclaimed. "Well, what are you doing there?"
I kidded her gently, "Well, I'm answering the phone. It was ringing as I walked by, so I answered it."
Knowing this encounter could only have been arranged by God, I began to counsel the woman.
As she told me of her despair and frustration, the presence of the Holy Spirit flooded the phone booth giving me words of wisdom beyond my ability.
In a matter of moments, she prayed the sinner's prayer and met the One who would lead her out of her situation into a new life.
I walked away from that telephone booth with an electrifying sense of our Heavenly Father's concern for each of His children.
What were the astronomical odds of this happening?
With all the millions of phones and innumerable combinations of numbers, only an all-knowing God could have caused that woman to call that number in that phone booth at that moment in time.
Forgetting my drink and nearly bursting with exhilaration, I headed back to my family, wondering if they would believe my story.
Maybe I better not tell this, I thought, but I couldn't contain it.
"Barb, you won't believe this! God knows where I am!"
Deuteronomy 26:7 'Then we cried to the LORD, the God of our fathers, and the LORD heard our voice and saw our affliction and our toil and our oppression; (NAS)
When you feel lost and helpless cry out to God, and keep crying out to God. He will answer!
C. God sees and blesses every act of faithfulness
"The lesson was clear for Sarai, Abram, Hagar, Israel, and for Christians: God's servants are to trust His Word and to wait for its fulfillment, enduring patiently till the end. It becomes increasingly clear in Genesis that any person or any nation that owes its existence to divine election should live by faith. Human efforts will not help. But the good news for God's people is that the living God sees and hears." [4]
Psalm 84:11--12 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, How blessed is the man who trusts in You! (NAS)
Matthew 6:4, 6 ... your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. (NAS)
Galatians 6:9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. (NAS)
D. God always knows best
Proverbs 3:5--6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. (NAS)
Charles Spurgeon: "Why need the patient analyze all the medicine, or estimate all the symptoms? This is the Physician's work, not mine; it is my business to trust, and his to prescribe. If he shall write his prescription in uncouth [rude] characters which I cannot read, I will not be uneasy on that account, but rely upon his unfailing skill to make all plain in the result, however mysterious in the working."
"In How Life Imitates the World Series, Dave Bosewell tells a story about Earl Weaver, former manager of the Baltimore Orioles.
"Weaver had a rule that no one could steal a base unless given the steal sign. This upset Reggie Jackson because he felt he knew the pitchers and catchers well enough to judge who he could and could not steal off of. So one game he decided to steal without a sign.
"He got a good jump off the pitcher and easily beat the throw to second base. As he shook the dirt off his uniform, Jackson smiled with delight, feeling he had vindicated his judgment to his manager.
"Later Weaver took Jackson aside and explained why he hadn't given the steal sign. First, the next batter was Lee May, his best power hitter other than Jackson. When Jackson stole second, first base was left open, so the other team walked May intentionally, taking the bat out of his hands.
"Second, the following batter hadn't been strong against that pitcher, so Weaver felt he had to send up a pinch hitter to try to drive in the men on base. That left Weaver without bench strength later in the game when he needed it.
"The problem was that Jackson saw only his relationship to the pitcher and catcher. Weaver was watching the whole game.
"We, too, see only so far, but God sees the bigger picture. When he sends us a signal, it's wise to obey, no matter what we may think WE know." Marty Masten [5]
Jeremiah 10:23 I know, O LORD, that a man's way is not in himself, nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps. (NAS)
This is why we need to be, Hebrews 12:2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith ... (NAS)
IX. What does El Roi's Contact with Hagar Mean to Me?
Hagar had three strikes against her: she was a woman, a foreigner, and a slave. The fact that El Roi was willing to pursue and bless Hagar shows me several amazing truths.
Vs.6 A. Like Hagar I was born weak "your maid in is your power"
Romans 5:6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. (NAU)
Hagar had no strength of her own. She was under the control of Sarai. I too have no ability to solve my own problems. The harder I try the worse things get.
Vs.1 B. Like Hagar I was born a sinner "an Egyptian"
Egypt is always a type of sin in the Bible. Hagar was not only from Egypt, when she was mistreated she headed back to Egypt.
As David later said: Psalm 51:5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me. (NAU)
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (NAU)
Vs.1 C. Like Hagar I was born a slave "maid"
Apart from Christ I am helpless and without any hope. Ephesians 2:1--3 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. (NAU)
"The question we should always ask ourselves is, 'What does God think of me?' If we would meet His approval, we must first have our hearts right, and then we must be blameless and true in every part of our life.
"We should live just as purely and beautifully in secret--as in the glare of the world's gaze.
" There really is no such thing as secrecy in this world. We imagine that no eye is looking--when we are not in the presence of men. But really, we always have a spectator; we are living all our life in the presence God Himself! We should train ourselves, therefore, to work for the Divine eye in all that we do, that our work may stand the Divine inspection, and that we may have the approval and commendation of God Himself." [6]
Vs.11 D. Like Hagar God has rescued me "the LORD has given heed to your affliction"
Ephesians 2:5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), (NAU)
Romans 5:5 hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (NAU)
Romans 5:11 And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. (NAU)
Romans 5:21 ...as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (NAU)
Isaiah 60:1 "Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. (NAU)
CONCLUSION: God's love is completely amazing!
R.C. Sproul: "There are many things in my life that I do not want to put under the gaze of Christ. Yet I know there is nothing hidden from Him. He knows me better than my wife knows me. And yet He loves me. This is the most amazing thing of all about God's grace. It would be one thing for Him to love us if we could fool Him into thinking that we were better than we actually are. But He knows better. He knows all there is to know about us, including those things that could destroy our reputation. He is minutely and acutely aware of every skeleton in every closet. And He loves us."
"Within your circling power I stand;
On every side I find your hand:
Awake, asleep, at home, abroad,
I am surrounded still with God."
[1]Sue Poorman Richards and Larry Richards, Every Woman in the Bible, 80 (Nashville, Tenn.: T. Nelson Publishers, 1999).
[2]J. R. Miller, "Come with Me" Daily Bible Readings in the Life of Christ, 1890
[3]Sue Poorman Richards and Larry Richards, Every Woman in the Bible, 41 (Nashville, Tenn.: T. Nelson Publishers, 1999).
[4]John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, Ge 16:7–16 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983- ).
[5]Marty Masten Galaxie Software, 10,000 Sermon Illustrations (Biblical Studies Press, 2002; 2002).
[6]J. R. Miller, "Come with Me" Daily Bible Readings in the Life of Christ, 1890
