Genesis 16:11-16 - I have seen Him who looks after me

16:11,12

The angel of the Lord then spoke to her and told her the name she was to give to the son she would have. She was to call him Ishmael, which means “God hears”. The Lord had listened to her affliction. We are also then told that he will be something of a troublemaker. We should note that the Lord is concerned about her, and about her son and his descendants, even though they are not exactly given a flattering description.

16:13,14

Hagar then calls on the name of the Lord and declares that He is a God who sees her, and that He looks after her. There are various translations of “Truly here I have seen him who looks after me”, with NIV giving a couple of alternatives. The well where she was was also named in honour of the Lord looking after her. Now we should remember that Hagar and Ishmael were not part of God’s plan, they were not the line through which the promises would be fulfilled, yet God still cares for them. God is merciful to all, and we should have a similar attitude. We are to be holy as He is holy (1 Pet 1:16).

16:15,16

So Hagar bore Abram a son and named him Ishmael, as she had been commanded. Abram was eighty six years old at this point, some eleven years after leaving Ur.