God Liveth And Seeth Me

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Part of Elspeth Young’s series of women in scripture paintings. Depicts Hagar from Genesis 16. Oil on panel. 24 in. x 32 inches. Categories: Elspeth Young, Oil painting, Women in scripture, Old Testament, Figure, Hagar, God Liveth And Seeth Me
Product No.: 3.64.0276.000

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God Liveth and Seeth Me

by Elspeth Young

Hagar

And the angel of the Lord found [Hagar] by a fountain of water in the wilderness…and the angel of the Lord said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for the multitude… the Lord hath heard thy affliction.

Genesis 16:7, 10-11

THE STORY IN THE PAINTING

The viewer sees Abraham’s wife, Hagar, at the fountain which she names Beer-lahai-roi (HEB “The well of Him who liveth and seeth me”) in the wilderness on the edge of the Negeb near the Egyptian border, where she has fled from Sarah. In the painting, Hagar is looking heavenward where she hears the voice of the Lord speaking to her and promising her seed “not numbered for the multitude” (Genesis 16:10). The Lord instructs Hagar to name her future son Ishmael, which means “God hears”. The light and beauty of her countenance reflect the testimony she gains that the voice she has heard is Jehovah (Genesis 16:13). She gains the courage and resolve to return and submit herself to Sarah (Genesis 16:9, 15). The image reflects Hagar’s testimony of the Savior and the reminder that the Lord sees and hears all His children.

SYMBOLISM OR SIGNIFICANT ELEMENTS IN THE PAINTING

Sarah’s Egyptian maidservant, Hagar, wears a costume inspired by Egyptian dress of the period. Fabrics reminiscent of images in the Beni Hasan tombs, add to the rich texture of her costume. Though mostly in shadow, her hair is done into tiny braids, such as characterized Egyptian wigs worn by women. Her hair is combed back in the plaits at the center of the crown, circa 1400 BC. The basket just behind the figure represents Hagar’s hasty flight into the wilderness. Hagar might have taken such a container for provisions to last her the journey back to Egypt. The basket here is empty, symbolic of the need she experiences. The well (or “fountain”) behind the figure symbolizes the “living water” of testimony (see John 4:10). The vine above the well symbolizes the Savior, as the “true vine” (John 15:1).

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Corson, Richard. Fashion in Hair: The First Five Thousand Years. London: Peter Owen Limited, 1965.

Freeman, James M. Manners and Customs of the Bible. New York: Logos International, 1972.

Houston, Mary G. Ancient Egyptian Mesopotamia & Persian Costume and Decoration. London: Adam & Charles Black, 1920.

Blaiklock, E. M. ed. The Zondervan Pictorial Bible Atlas. Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1969.

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