Genesis 16:1—16 and 21:9—21
Genesis tells the extraordinary story of an Egyptian slave woman thrown out of the home of Abraham and Sarah. She encounters God in the wilderness and is the only character in all the Bible who gives a new name to God. Why? What is the significance of this story of mistreatment, grace, and deliverance?
The story of Hagar can inspire us to think in new ways about the nature of God and our language about God.
Hagar
Books you may find helpful
The etching above was produced by Gustav Dore (1832—1883).The painting to the right is by William Ladd Taylor (1854—1926). By depicting Hagar’s eye turned toward the viewer, Taylor captures her awareness of being seen, a key element of the story itself.
