Yes, the well for Hagar demonstrates God's abundant provision beyond human means.
The well contrasts the small bottle of water Abraham gave Hagar, which ran out, with God's inexhaustible supply. God opened Hagar's eyes to see the well, ensuring survival and symbolizing His care and promise.
Genesis 21:19 — Directly records God opening Hagar's eyes to see the well.
In Genesis 21:14, Abraham gave Hagar only a bottle of water and sent her away. After the water was spent, she cast the child under a shrub, expecting death (Genesis 21:15). Then God heard the lad's voice, and the angel of God called to Hagar, telling her not to fear and promising to make the lad a great nation (Genesis 21:17-18). God then opened her eyes to see a well of water, and she filled the bottle and gave the lad drink (Genesis 21:19). This well was a direct provision from God, meeting their immediate physical need.
Les Feldick highlights the contrast between human resources and God's resources. Abraham provided only a bottle of water, which was quickly exhausted, while God provided a well—symbolizing abundant, continuing provision. Les emphasizes that this incident shows God's care and presence, as He heard the lad's voice and provided for their needs. The well becomes a practical evidence of God's ability to provide beyond human means.
The bottle represents limited human provision, which quickly runs out. The well represents God's abundant and continuing supply. Les Feldick points out that while Abraham gave only a bottle of water, God provided a well, showing the difference between human effort and divine provision.
God heard the lad's voice and sent His angel to comfort Hagar, telling her not to fear and promising that the lad would become a great nation. Then God opened her eyes to see the well, providing water. This demonstrates God's attentive care and presence even in a desperate situation.
Les Feldick explains that when Hagar first fled, God commanded her to return. He had a sovereign purpose for this, which would be revealed fourteen years later when Hagar and Ishmael were sent away again, this time permanently.
Bottle vs. Well
Les contrasts the limited bottle of water with the well God provides, showing God's abundant provision.
Who is the Angel of the Lord? Genesis 16 Bible Study
And verse 13, "...and she called the name of the Lord that spake unto her, Thou God seest me. For she said, Have I here also looked after him that seeth me? And wherefore," verse 14, "...the well was called," remember this is where she had stopped to get some water, "...
God's Initial Intervention
Les recounts God's intervention when Hagar first fled, sending her back, which sets up the later provision.
Sovereign Purpose
Les explains that God had a sovereign reason for sending Hagar back, hinting at the later events.
Who is the Angel of the Lord? Genesis 16 Bible Study
I have given my maid into thy bosom, and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes, and the Lord judged between me and thee. But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, the maid is in thy hand. Do to her as it pleases thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face. Hagar takes off, and then in verse 7, I think here's where we left off, "...
Israel’s Title Deed: Understanding God's Covenant in Genesis 15
Now, file that in your computer because this is going to tell us something with regard to the present-day Middle East situation. Hagar is an Egyptian. Verse 2, and Sarai, now I'm using that pronunciation because see, her name is going to change to A-H in a little while. But Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now the Lord, and here, of course, the term is Jehovah.
Why Mixing Law and Grace Cancels the Work of the Cross
So he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh, but he of the free woman was by promise. God had promised that they were having a child, even though they were 90 and 100. Verse 24, These things are an allegory, they are just a picture. But see God set it all up. Paul couldn't write this if it hadn't happened, but it did happen. It's an allegory.
Israel’s Title Deed: Understanding God's Covenant in Genesis 15
So she took Sarai, took Abram's wife, took Hagar. I'm sorry, read it over, verse 3. And so Sarai, Abram's wife, took Hagar, her maid, the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan. Now again, you can see the human side, can't you? For ten years now, they've been waiting for God's promise to come to fruition.
Genesis 21:14: And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beer-sheba.
Shows the meager provision given to Hagar.
Genesis 21:15: And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs.
Highlights the exhaustion of human resources.
Genesis 21:17: And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.
Shows God's awareness and response to their distress.
Genesis 21:19: And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink.
The central verse showing God's provision of the well.
God provided a well to save Hagar and Ishmael from dying of thirst. This act demonstrated His care and fulfilled His promise to make Ishmael a great nation.
Les contrasts the limited human provision (a bottle) with God's abundant provision (a well), teaching that reliance on God's resources is sufficient.
Watch the Teaching: Hagar, Ishmael & The Everlasting God: Genesis 21 Bible Study