The Genesis Project
Genesis 16

Called by Name

108 words · January 29, 2025

The angel of the Lord found Hagar near a spring in the desert; it was the spring that is beside the road to Shur. And he said, “Hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?”

“I’m running away from my mistress Sarai,” she answered.
Genesis 16:7-8 (NIV)

The first words to the lowly slave woman aren't spoken by Abram, man of God. It isn't by Sarai, woman of God and the one responsible for her. It's by the angel of God, and he calls her by name.

The first time we read that an angel speaks, it's to the one we've oppressed.

Hagar Sarai angel name oppression shame slave

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