Quiz
Instructions: Answer each question in 2-3 sentences.
- In the Modeh Ani prayer, what does the speaker thank God for restoring?
- What is the central theme of Hagar’s story in Genesis 16:13?
- In the parable of “The Lantern in the Fog,” what does the fog symbolize?
- According to the parable of “The Desert Well,” what has God provided for those who feel forgotten?
- In the parable of “The Silent Watcher,” why does the stranger visit the gardener?
- What does the text claim is a central truth of God's character based on Hagar's experience?
- According to the text, what is the significance of the "wilderness" as a metaphor?
- What is one of the main cross-references used to illustrate that God sees you in your struggles?
- What idea is supported by the cross-reference Proverbs 16:9?
- What does the closing prayer ask God to provide amidst life's challenges?
Quiz - Answer Key
The speaker thanks God for mercifully restoring their soul, acknowledging God as their living and eternal King. This restoration highlights God’s constant care and faithfulness.
The central theme of Hagar’s story is that God sees and cares for those who feel forgotten and insignificant, meeting them in their pain and isolation. It emphasizes a God who actively notices and intervenes.
In the parable, the fog symbolizes the uncertainty and confusion in life when one may feel lost and alone, unable to see clearly, or sense direction. It mirrors a feeling of being forgotten.
The parable says that God provides "wells"—places of refreshment and hope—for those who feel forgotten, showing that He anticipates and fulfills their needs. This provision is designed specifically for them.
The stranger visits the gardener to affirm that God has seen his faithfulness and diligence, and that his work, though seemingly unnoticed, has grown into something beautiful and blessed.
The text claims that God is a God who sees you, deeply aware of our pain and struggles. He is not indifferent, but rather responds with compassion, specifically noting that God cares about every detail of our struggles.
The "wilderness" is significant as a metaphor for desolation and hardship, but is also presented as a place where God can reveal Himself in profound ways, offering His presence and provision to the one in need.
One of the main cross-references used is Psalm 139:1-3, which emphasizes that God knows us intimately, including our thoughts and actions, and sees everything.
The cross-reference Proverbs 16:9 states that though people plan their own course, it is the Lord who establishes their steps. It supports the idea that God’s plan ultimately directs our lives despite our own human intentions.
The closing prayer asks God to provide trust, awareness that He is working all things for good, and rest in His provision, emphasizing the assurance that we are not forgotten by Him despite our challenges.
Essay Questions
Instructions: Choose one of the following questions and write a well-organized essay.
- Analyze how the parables in the text illustrate the concept of God seeing and caring for individuals. Be sure to include specific details and make connections to the main message in the text.
- Compare and contrast the themes of isolation and divine presence in the story of Hagar and the three parables. How do these stories relate to the idea that God is the God who sees?
- Discuss the implications of believing that God sees every detail of your struggles, as the text suggests. How might this belief affect your attitude toward life and your relationship with God?
- Explore how the wilderness is used as a metaphor in the text. Consider its various meanings and how it represents both a place of desolation and a place of divine encounter and provision.
- Using examples from the text, explain the idea that human rejection does not thwart God's plans and purposes in life. How does this concept offer hope during times of uncertainty and difficulty?
Glossary
- Amen: A Hebrew word meaning "so be it" or "truly." It is used at the end of prayers or statements to affirm their truth or to express agreement.
- Desolation: A state of complete emptiness, loneliness, and devastation. It often implies a feeling of utter abandonment or loss.
- Devotional: A piece of writing or a practice designed to inspire religious thought and feeling. This usually focuses on deepening one’s personal relationship with God.
- Hallowed: Regarded as holy and sacred, deserving of reverence and respect. It is often used in a religious context to describe something that is set apart for God’s purposes.
- Modeh Ani: A traditional Jewish prayer recited upon waking up, thanking God for the gift of restoring the soul to the body.
- Parable: A short story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson, often employing relatable characters and situations to convey a deeper meaning.
- Provision: The act of supplying or providing something necessary or desired, often including resources, care, or opportunities. In a religious context, it often refers to God’s care for and provision of needs.
- The Lord's Prayer: A prayer taught by Jesus, containing a series of requests and praises directed towards God the Father.
- Trespasses: Acts of wrongdoing or offenses, particularly against moral or religious principles, often used in the context of asking for forgiveness.
- Wilderness: A place of desolation, isolation, or barrenness. Metaphorically, it often represents a time of difficulty, testing, or spiritual growth.