To no fault of her own, Hagar, the handmaiden, was cast out of the house of Abraham and Sarah. Jealously borne from disobedience led her to this moment. Abraham did not wait on God and took unto him Hagar. Together they had Ishmael. This son was not the promised son because he did not come through Sarah. When Isaac was born, the conflict intensified and it has never ended. Hagar found herself alone, desperate for direction and comfort. It is here that an angel of the Lord appeared to her and showed her a fountain of water; giving her the path toward provision and help. Hagar called God, El Roi, The God Who sees me.
However, this was not the name of God. His name was not revealed until the archangel Gabriel spoke it to Mary and Joseph in Matthew chapter 1. All of the Old Testament “names” were designations or descriptions of Jehovah. He was the God Who Heals and the God Who Provides. He was called, Our Banner, Refuge, and the God of Our Peace. But His name is Jesus!
We recognize this as progressive revelation. God offered insight, but not the whole. David wrote, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet” meaning, “just enough light for the moment.” Jesus completed this truth when he touched the blind man in Mark 8.
Mark 8:23 And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.
Mark 8:24 And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.
Mark 8:25 After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.
Jesus had the power to completely heal the blind man the first time He touched him. Yet, the lesson is found in a progressive healing. Day by day we are healed, delivered, and made whole by and through His presence. Our lives are first saturated with His Word and Spirit, which in turn changes the constitution of our thought.
The quantum leap is counter to the making of a disciple. It takes time to learn and time to grow. Understanding is developed over time. Spiritual maturity is found in study, patience, and persistence. Thus making it critical that we stay connected to the Word, the preaching and teaching while our change comes.
The end of it all is that we are planted and grounded. The Lord will reveal His Truth, but it is found in the process. So let us not get weary in well doing. He is guiding our steps and revealing Himself as we learn to lean on His strength and learn from His Word.