EL ROI: THE GOD WHO WATCHES OVER ME

The Meaning of El Roi

El Roi (EL roe-EE) is the title Hagar, an Egyptian slave, used to address God during a difficult time in her life. It means "The God Who Watches Over Me" or "The God Who Sees Me." This is the only occurrence of this title for God in the Bible.

Hagar’s Story

Hagar's predicament began several years earlier when her mistress, Sarah, the wife of Abraham, suggested that Abraham sleep with Hagar to produce an heir. Though this idea seems strange today, it was an acceptable practice in the ancient world to ensure the continuation of the family line.

• Once Hagar became pregnant with Ishmael, a rivalry arose between her and Sarah, leading to bitterness.
• Years later, Sarah insisted that Abraham send Hagar and Ishmael away, forcing them to fend for themselves in the desert.

God's Intervention

Amid her struggles, Hagar discovered a remarkable truth: even though Abraham and Sarah had cast her off, El Roi had taken her in.

• God saw her distress and sent an angel to help her, showing that He had been watching over her all along.
• He reminded her of His faithfulness by instructing her to name her son Ishmael, which means "God Hears."

Legacy of El Roi

Years later:

• Esau, one of Abraham's grandsons, married Ishmael's daughter.
• It was Ishmaelite traders (also referred to as Midianite merchants) who transported Abraham's great-grandson Joseph into slavery in Egypt (Genesis 37:26-28).

The title El Roi serves as a reminder of a God who knows the circumstances of our lives, past, present, and future. Nothing is hidden from Him.

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Praying to El Roi

In Psalm 139, David speaks of a God who knows everything about him:

• "You have examined me, and you know me.
  You alone know when I sit down and when I get up.
  You read my thoughts from far away.
  You watch me when I travel and when I rest.
  You are familiar with all my ways."

• "Even before there is a single word on my tongue, you know all about it, Yahweh.
  You are all around me—in front of me and in back of me."

• "If I say, 'Let the darkness hide me and let the light around me turn into night,'
  Even the darkness is not too dark for you. Night is as bright as day."

A God for All Times

David's God is also Hagar's God and our God—the all-knowing, all-seeing God who watches over us by day and by night. If you ever feel that no one understands or cares about you, remember the God who revealed Himself to this desperate slave girl and her son so faithfully.

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A Prayer to El Roi

El Roi, even the darkness is not dark to you. You know everything about me—the light and the dark, the good and the bad. You know my dreams and my desires, my failings and my fears. You know the good that I do and the good that I fail to do. Please come to me today and help me. Rescue me from dark places and hidden difficulties, and nourish me with your presence so that I, too, may proclaim you as El Roi, the God Who Watches Over Me.

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Promises Associated with the Name El Roi

• "Yahweh's eyes scan the whole world to find those whose hearts are committed to him and to strengthen them." (2 Chronicles 16:9)

• "He will not let you fall. Your guardian will not fall asleep.
  Yahweh is your guardian.
  Yahweh is the shade over your right hand.
  The sun will not beat down on you during the day, nor will the moon at night.
  Yahweh guards you from every evil. He guards your life.
  Yahweh guards you as you come and go, now and forever." (Psalm 121:3, 5-8)

• "The eyes of Yahweh are everywhere. They watch evil people and good people." (Proverbs 15:3)