Have you ever felt invisible, forgotten, or cast aside? In a world that often overlooks the marginalized, there's a powerful story in the Bible that reminds us of a God who sees everyone, especially those society ignores. Let's explore the remarkable tale of Hagar, a woman whose encounter with God challenges our assumptions and offers hope to the forgotten.
The Power of Names
Names carry immense significance in the Bible. They're not just labels; they're vehicles of meaning and identity. In our sermon series on women in the Old Testament, we encounter Hagar, whose very name speaks volumes:
"Hagar's name is, as Old Testament scholar Wilda Gafney puts it, more epithet than name. 'Ha-gar' means 'the alien.' Hagar, therefore, is the 'other.' Hagar is the undocumented immigrant. Hagar is the uninsured single mother. Hagar is the trans person who avoids traveling to certain parts of the United States because of the hateful rhetoric directed at them and others like them. Hagar is the lost, forgotten, and abused. Hagar is 'the least of these' that Jesus spoke so frequently of."
In a world quick to dehumanize those we don't understand, Hagar's story reminds us of the importance of recognizing each person's inherent dignity.
God Sees the Invisible
The heart of Hagar's story lies in her encounters with God. Twice, when she finds herself in desperate situations, God intervenes. What's remarkable is how God addresses her:
"'Hagar,' the Lord calls out to her in a moment of terror and desperation, 'Hagar....' You see, Hagar had fled the anger of her owner. The text tells us that the reason for Sarah's wrath was that Hagar looked upon her with 'contempt.'"
In a narrative where even her owners, Abraham and Sarah, refuse to use her name, God calls Hagar by name. This simple act of recognition carries profound meaning. It tells us that no matter how invisible we may feel, God sees us.
The Woman Who Named God
But Hagar's story doesn't stop there. In an unprecedented moment, Hagar does something no one else in Scripture does:
"Hagar gives God a name. In all of scripture, it is God who does the naming. God names the earthling 'Adam' and his companion 'Eve.' God renames Saul as Paul and Simon as Peter. You see, naming someone was thought of as having authority and dominion over them... If God reveals God's name, it's always on God's terms and God's terms alone! As such, no one names God. Except, that is, a woman by the name of Hagar."
Hagar calls God "El-roi," which means "the God who sees me." This name encapsulates the heart of Hagar's experience with God - a divine being who notices and cares for those society overlooks.
The God of the Marginalized
Hagar's story speaks powerfully to our current social and political climate. In a world where people are often dehumanized and marginalized, Hagar's experience reminds us of an essential truth:
"The story of Hagar conveys this truth about God: God is, first and foremost, on the side of the forgotten and abused. In these days when nationalism rears its ugly head and tanks roll through the streets of our nation's capital, the story of Hagar reminds the Church that God isn't only a God of Israel, or the United States, or any nation for that matter. No, ours is a God of all nations, all people, and all Creation."
Putting It Into Practice
So how do we live out the lessons of Hagar's story? Here are some practical steps:
In a world that often feels chaotic and unjust, Hagar's story reminds us of a God who sees, who cares, and who acts on behalf of the marginalized. May we all strive to embody this divine characteristic, seeing and valuing every person we encounter.
The Power of Names
Names carry immense significance in the Bible. They're not just labels; they're vehicles of meaning and identity. In our sermon series on women in the Old Testament, we encounter Hagar, whose very name speaks volumes:
"Hagar's name is, as Old Testament scholar Wilda Gafney puts it, more epithet than name. 'Ha-gar' means 'the alien.' Hagar, therefore, is the 'other.' Hagar is the undocumented immigrant. Hagar is the uninsured single mother. Hagar is the trans person who avoids traveling to certain parts of the United States because of the hateful rhetoric directed at them and others like them. Hagar is the lost, forgotten, and abused. Hagar is 'the least of these' that Jesus spoke so frequently of."
In a world quick to dehumanize those we don't understand, Hagar's story reminds us of the importance of recognizing each person's inherent dignity.
God Sees the Invisible
The heart of Hagar's story lies in her encounters with God. Twice, when she finds herself in desperate situations, God intervenes. What's remarkable is how God addresses her:
"'Hagar,' the Lord calls out to her in a moment of terror and desperation, 'Hagar....' You see, Hagar had fled the anger of her owner. The text tells us that the reason for Sarah's wrath was that Hagar looked upon her with 'contempt.'"
In a narrative where even her owners, Abraham and Sarah, refuse to use her name, God calls Hagar by name. This simple act of recognition carries profound meaning. It tells us that no matter how invisible we may feel, God sees us.
The Woman Who Named God
But Hagar's story doesn't stop there. In an unprecedented moment, Hagar does something no one else in Scripture does:
"Hagar gives God a name. In all of scripture, it is God who does the naming. God names the earthling 'Adam' and his companion 'Eve.' God renames Saul as Paul and Simon as Peter. You see, naming someone was thought of as having authority and dominion over them... If God reveals God's name, it's always on God's terms and God's terms alone! As such, no one names God. Except, that is, a woman by the name of Hagar."
Hagar calls God "El-roi," which means "the God who sees me." This name encapsulates the heart of Hagar's experience with God - a divine being who notices and cares for those society overlooks.
The God of the Marginalized
Hagar's story speaks powerfully to our current social and political climate. In a world where people are often dehumanized and marginalized, Hagar's experience reminds us of an essential truth:
"The story of Hagar conveys this truth about God: God is, first and foremost, on the side of the forgotten and abused. In these days when nationalism rears its ugly head and tanks roll through the streets of our nation's capital, the story of Hagar reminds the Church that God isn't only a God of Israel, or the United States, or any nation for that matter. No, ours is a God of all nations, all people, and all Creation."
Putting It Into Practice
So how do we live out the lessons of Hagar's story? Here are some practical steps:
- See the Invisible: Make a conscious effort to notice and acknowledge those society often overlooks. Learn their names, hear their stories.
- Challenge Dehumanizing Language: When you hear people referred to as "illegals," "aliens," or other dehumanizing terms, speak up. Remind others of the power of names and the dignity of all people.
- Be an El-roi: Strive to be someone who truly sees others, especially those who feel forgotten or marginalized.
- Trust in God's Vision: Remember that no matter how invisible you may feel, God sees you. As I said in the sermon, "Whether you are oppressed like Hagar or wandering in a wilderness of another kind, God sees you."
In a world that often feels chaotic and unjust, Hagar's story reminds us of a God who sees, who cares, and who acts on behalf of the marginalized. May we all strive to embody this divine characteristic, seeing and valuing every person we encounter.
RSS Feed
