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God will hear

Genesis 16:11&12
"11 And the Angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.
12 And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren."

This is the preincarnate Jesus talking to Hagar! Hagar was a believer. She lived with Sarai and Abram for years as Sarai's slave. Sarai suggested that Hagar could be their surrogate to HELP fulfill the Lord's promise to them. That's when things went a little sideways and Hagar runs away in fear for her life. The Angel of The LORD catches up with her at this water well on her way home to Egypt. 

The Angel of the LORD promised her that her descendents will "NOT be NUMBERED for multitude." This sounds a lot like the promise made to Abram. Since the child Hagar carries in her womb is Abram's, this is his promise being fulfilled as much as it is Hagar's. This bloodline that comes through Hagar goes on to become original tribes of the Arab people! They are very nomadic in character and fiercly independent.

In today's verses we get more details of this promise; "And the Angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name ISHMAEL; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction. And he will be a WILD man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren."

Appreciate there are six persons who are given their name before they were born. ISHMAEL is one;  also Isaac, Genesis 17:19; Moses, Exodus 2:10; Solomon, 2 Samuel 12:24; Josiah, 1 Kings 13:2; and the Messiah, Isaiah 7:14! ISHMAEL means "God will hear." Or, "because the Lord hath heard." It's recognition of God’s kindness when Hagar was in extreme distress.  It encourages everyone to hope for the help of GOD in our hour of need. It is said "tears speak as well as prayers." Our GOD has pity and hears the cry of affliction and helps.
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