God Looks Out for the Oppressed
Hagar was Sarai's servant. When Sarai could not have a baby boy for Abram, she gave Hagar to her husband, so she could bear him a son. However, when that happened, Hagar felt superior to Sarai and spoke badly about her. This led Sarai to send her away with Abram's permission. However, God watched out for Hagar, since she had been mistreated, and He told her He would bless her son greatly and cause him to be the father of many nations. Therefore, Hagar called God "a God of seeing" or a God who sees." He had looked after her when He saw her oppression. (Genesis 16:13) God has a heart for the oppressed, even when they are not believers.
Hagar was not a believer as far as what the Bible says. Yet, God saw her need, spoke to her, and even pronounced a blessing upon her. That shows the compassion of God and how He chooses to work in the hearts of unbelievers. I do not know if she became a true believer or not after that, but God kept His promises to her as she returned to Sarai and Abram. I believe God can and does work the same way to minister to the oppressed today. He also wants us to stand up for them, too, as much as we can. God cares for all people, and He wants them all to come to know Him, so He shows Himself to them, hoping they will turn to Him in faith. Because of God's love being for all people, our love should be evident for all, too.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Genesis 17-20.
Hagar was not a believer as far as what the Bible says. Yet, God saw her need, spoke to her, and even pronounced a blessing upon her. That shows the compassion of God and how He chooses to work in the hearts of unbelievers. I do not know if she became a true believer or not after that, but God kept His promises to her as she returned to Sarai and Abram. I believe God can and does work the same way to minister to the oppressed today. He also wants us to stand up for them, too, as much as we can. God cares for all people, and He wants them all to come to know Him, so He shows Himself to them, hoping they will turn to Him in faith. Because of God's love being for all people, our love should be evident for all, too.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Genesis 17-20.