Who Really Named God? Hagar, El Roi & Genesis 16 | The Woman Who Named God Bible Study

About this episode

This episode explores the story of Hagar in Genesis 16 and her unique role in naming God as El Roi.

Who really named God? In this Wednesday night Bible study from First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Cushing, Oklahoma , we walk slowly into Genesis 16:1–16 , the story of Hagar , Sarai, Abram, the wilderness road to Shur, and the well that came to be called Beer Lahai Roi : The Well of the Living One Who Sees Me. Most of us have heard Genesis 16 as a chapter in Abraham’s story. Sarai cannot bear children. Abram listens to Sarai. Hagar is given to Abram. A child is conceived. The household fractures. Hagar runs. And then, eventually, the “main story” seems to get back on track with Isaac, the promised son. But what if Genesis 16 is asking us to notice something else? What if this is not merely a side chapter in Abraham’s story? What if the chapter starts in Sarai’s tent, but ends at Hagar’s well? In this study, we look closely at one of the most astonishing details hiding in plain sight: “She called the name of Yahweh who spoke to her…” — Genesis 16:13 Hagar names God. Not Sarah. Not Rebekah. Not Miriam. Not Deborah. Hagar. An Egyptian. A servant. A runaway. A foreign woman with no standing, no inheritance, no protection, and no claim on the covenant household that had…

People in this episode

Host: Pastor Jim Wilhelm

Topics covered

• Bible study
• Genesis 16
• Hagar
• God's names
• Abraham's story
• faith
• spirituality

Keywords

• Hagar
• Genesis 16
• El Roi
• Bible study
• Abraham
• Sarai
• faith
• spirituality

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Genesis 16

Places: Cushing, Oklahoma, Shur, Beer Lahai Roi

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