Genesis 16:13-14 And she called the name of the LORD that spoke to her, You God see me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that sees me?… "Thou God seest me." Pause for a moment to contemplate the force of this impressive thought. Life is spent beneath the eye of God. In every part of His dominion, in all the worlds He has formed, His never-closing eye is present, His creative power is felt. The beams of His all-observant thought surround us. God, said the Greeks, is "All Eye." It is not the feeble and changing glance of fickle guilty man, but it is the pure and perfect scrutiny of the Eternal God, "in whose hand our breath is." "Thou God seest me." Then it is not a vague and general observation, but a particular and minute notice — the sinner in his guilt equally with the Christian in his devotions — the peasant in his cottage equally with the prince on his throne. Not the actions only, but the principles, "me" — all that constitutes our essence, all that forms our character, the interior recesses of the spirit, the hidden motives of the heart, the secret springs of the character. This thought may be one — 1. Of grandeur. With respect to God — His infinite dominion — His immense survey. With respect to man — his dignity — his responsibility — his destiny — he must, some day, come immediately before this Being. 2. Of terror. We are never safe. Sin cannot be even thought of without being known. Think of this when temptation invites. There is no darkness which can hide from God. 3. Of consolation in sorrow. He sees with a Father's eye which fills with compassion. He knows all the trouble of our spirit and our desires to be purer and better. 4. Of hope in danger. He sees, not to increase our misery, but to help and save. He sends His Covenant Angel to succour this desolate woman. None need despair, since God thus helps the outcast and the miserable. (Archbishop Secker) Parallel Verses KJV: And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me? |
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