Daily Devotions
Genesis
"Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord." Psalm 27:14
Text: Genesis 16:1-16
A SYMBOLIC NAME GIVEN TO A WELL
The incident of the visitation of the Angel of the Lord was so significant that the well from which Hagar refreshed herself, was given a symbolic name.
“Therefore the well was called Beer Lahai Roi;
observe, it is between Kadesh and Bered.'”GENESIS 16:14
Wells were of critical importance in the early days. They were major means of survival for desert travelers! But this particular well was a life-saver with the greatest of significance! At this well, Hagar’s life was restored – both physically and spiritually! The name of the well is interesting and instructive.
1. Beer (Pronounced Be-er)
This word simply means “well”. However, when it is used in conjunction with proper nouns, it becomes a place name, as in this case.
2. Lahai (to be pronounced Laha-i)
This word means “The One who is Living”. Hagar expressed faith in a living God!
3. Roi (Pronounced Ro-i)
This word means, “The One who sees me”. Her encounter with the Angel of the Lord taught her that God was watching over her lovingly. He saw and knew her needs. He lovingly attended to her!
RETURN TO THE HOME OF ABRAM
The instructions of the Angel of the Lord were precise and clear. Hagar was to return home to Abram and Sarai. She must learn humility. That must be expressed in the form of “submission”.
A “new” Hagar returned home. She knew that her relationship with Sarai would never be the same again. She must learn to make the best of it. Even if she has to suffer, she must bear in mind that the Lord was watching over her and the baby she carried in her womb. That child would be blessed because his father was Abram! In due time, Hagar gave birth to a son, as the Angel of the Lord had said.
“So Hagar bore Abram a son; and Abram named
his son, whom Hager bore, Ishmael.
Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael
to Abram.”GENESIS 16:15
LESSONS ON HOW TO “WAIT UPON THE LORD”
Abram left Haran at seventy-five years of age (Cf. Genesis 12:4). He was now eighty-six years old! The promise that God gave him had not been fulfilled yet! God had many more things to teach Abram about waiting upon Him! Eleven years had already passed! Still God had not yet fulfilled His promise! A difficult lesson to learn indeed!