Sarah - A Mother of Nations | Faith, Doubt, and God's Promises

Sarah - A Mother of Nations

Sarai's life begins in the city of Ur, where she was born into Terah's lineage.  Little did she know that her life was about to take an extraordinary turn when her husband, Abram, received a divine call from God.  The call led them to embark on a journey to an unknown land, away from their familiar surroundings, and into the realm of God's promises.

God called Abram to take his family and leave his land.  God had something better in store for him.  God promised Abram that he would have descendants as numerous as the stars, and this promise included Sarai conceiving and bearing a child.  The only problem?  Sarai was barren.

In a culture where bearing children was deeply significant, Sarai's barrenness was a burden she carried for many years.  Despite her devotion to God, she faced moments of doubt, wondering if God's promise of descendants would ever come to pass.

God's promise to make Abraham a great nation seemed improbable given Sarai's inability to conceive.  Despite her advanced age, Sarai yearned for a child and pleaded with Abram to have one through her servant, Hagar.  Abram complied, and Hagar bore a son named Ishmael.  However, this decision led to conflicts and tensions within the family.

While Sarai's actions were driven by a desire to see God's promise fulfilled, it became evident that human interventions to fulfill God's plans often lead to unintended consequences.

Despite her good intentions, Sarai's decision brought discord into her family, leaving a lasting impact on future generations.  However, God's plan was not yet fully realized, and the birth of Ishmael was only part of the intricate tapestry that would eventually unfold, culminating in the fulfillment of God's promise through the birth of Isaac.

Sarai's longing for a child was not in vain, as God had a greater plan for her.  In Genesis 17, God reaffirmed His covenant with Abraham and made a covenant with Sarah as well.  He changed their names, signifying a new beginning and divine intervention.  Sarai became Sarah, which means "princess".  This renaming marked her role as the mother of nations and emphasized the fulfillment of God's promise through her.

The visitation of three angels to Abraham and Sarah at the Oaks of Mamre brought an astonishing revelation.  They announced that Sarah, despite her old age, would conceive and bear a son within a year.  When Sarah overheard this divine proclamation, she initially laughed in disbelief.  "After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?" (Genesis 18:12).  Her laughter reflected her doubt, but it also revealed the human struggle to trust God in the face of impossibility.

God's response to Sarah's laughter was not one of condemnation but rather a question that resonates through time: "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" (Genesis 18:14).

This question encapsulates the essence of faith: to trust in God's power and sovereignty, even when circumstances seem insurmountable, improbable, or extremely unlikely.  Sarah's laughter turned to awe and submission, acknowledging God's ability to do the impossible.

True to the angels' words, Sarah conceived and bore a son, whom they named Isaac.  His name means "he laughs," signifying the joy and laughter that came from God's fulfillment of His promise.  Isaac's birth brought immense joy to Sarah, Abraham, and their entire household, but it also led to a challenging situation when Sarah witnessed Ishmael mocking her son.  This prompted her to demand that Abraham cast out Hagar and Ishmael, which he eventually did, under God's guidance.

Sarah's story reflects a pattern of faith, wavering at times but ultimately anchored in God's faithfulness.  Despite her mistakes and moments of doubt, she remains a remarkable example of a woman who walked with God, leaving a legacy of faith and obedience.

Sarah - A Mother of Nations | Genesis 18:14 Faith and Promise

Lessons Learned

Sarah's decision to take matters into her own hands and have Abraham conceive a child with Hagar holds valuable lessons for us:

Impatience and Trust in God's Timing: Sarah's impatience in waiting for God's promise to be fulfilled led her to take matters into her own hands.  This impulsive decision teaches us the importance of trusting in God's timing and not resorting to our own solutions when things seem delayed or uncertain.  Patience and faith in God's plan are essential virtues in our journey of faith.

Consequences of Human Interventions: Sarah's choice to use Hagar as a surrogate led to tensions and conflicts within her family.  It serves as a reminder that human interventions to fulfill God's plans can bring about complexities and hardships we may not anticipate.  When we try to manipulate circumstances instead of trusting God's sovereignty, we risk facing unintended consequences.

The Danger of Jealousy and Comparison: Sarah's jealousy and feelings of inadequacy in comparison to Hagar highlight the danger of comparing ourselves with others and the destructive nature of jealousy.  Comparing ourselves to others can lead to resentment and cloud our judgment, preventing us from seeing God's unique plan for our lives.

Trusting God's Provision: Sarah's actions stemmed from a desire to see God's promise fulfilled, but she failed to trust God's ability to bring it to pass without her intervention.  The lesson here is to have faith in God's provision and to trust that He knows the best way to fulfill His promises, even if it doesn't align with our human understanding.

God's Redemption of Our Mistakes: Despite Sarah's actions, God remained faithful to His promise and eventually fulfilled it through the birth of Isaac.  Sarah's story shows us that even when we make mistakes or take wrong paths, God can redeem those situations and bring about His divine plan in unexpected ways.

Learning to Surrender: Sarah's actions stemmed from a lack of trust in God's ability to fulfill His promise in His own time and in His own way.  Her story encourages us to surrender our desires, fears, and doubts to God, acknowledging that His plans are higher and more significant than our own.

Sarah's laughter and doubt provide essential lessons for us:

Human Frailty and God's Grace: Sarah's laughter and doubt remind us that even the most faithful individuals can experience moments of human frailty.  God's grace is sufficient to understand and address our doubts, fears, and uncertainties with compassion and love.

Honesty in Our Relationship with God: Sarah's laughter serves as a testament to the importance of honesty in our relationship with God.  God knows our hearts, and we should feel free to express our doubts and questions to Him. Rather than pretending, we can approach God with authenticity, knowing that He welcomes our openness.

God's Understanding and Patience: God's response to Sarah's laughter reflects His patience and understanding.  He didn't condemn or punish her for her initial doubt but gently reassured her.  This teaches us that God is compassionate and patient with us, meeting us where we are and leading us toward greater faith.

The Power of God's Word: Sarah's laughter turned from skepticism to awe when she witnessed God's promise fulfilled.  It shows us that God's word has the power to transform our doubts into faith, and His promises are never empty.

Overcoming Doubt Through God's Faithfulness: Sarah's journey of doubt and faith illustrates that God's faithfulness is unwavering, even when our faith wavers.  We can draw strength from God's consistent character and trust that He will fulfill His promises, no matter how impossible they may seem.

Trusting in the Unseen: Sarah's doubt was rooted in the apparent impossibility of her situation.  Her story challenges us to trust in God's unseen hand at work in our lives, even when circumstances seem improbable.  God's ways are higher than our understanding, and we can rest in His wisdom.

Perseverance in Faith: Sarah's laughter didn't mark the end of her faith journey; she continued to follow God despite her initial doubts.  Her story encourages us to persevere in faith, even in moments of uncertainty.  We can learn from Sarah's resilience and commitment to God's plan.

Witnessing God's Miracles: Sarah's experience teaches us that God is a God of miracles.  When we encounter situations that seem impossible, we can look to Sarah's story as a reminder of God's ability to perform miracles and fulfill His promises.

Questions for Deeper Reflection

What is deeply distressing to you right now?  What is causing you pain, grief, or annoyance?  What action do you need to take?

What actions have you taken through impatience and/or frustration instead of waiting on the Lord?  What happened?  What could you have done differently?

When have you laughed at what God said He would do?  When have you doubted God's promises for you?  What happened?

There are always consequences to taking matters into your own hands.  Not only will you suffer, but others will too.  What ways can you minimize taking matters into your own hands?

It's natural to condemn ourselves whenever we find that we are not walking by faith.  God's response to Sarah is very encouraging.  He didn't condemn her.  Instead, He let her know that nothing is impossible for God.  Today, thank God that His mercies are new every morning.  That He is a faithful God who loves His children.  Have you been condemning yourself?  Have you been too hard on yourself?  How can you move past the condemnation and allow yourself to receive grace, truth, and mercy?  Where has God turned your doubt into awe and joy?

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Sarah - A Mother of Nations | Genesis 18:14

From Shem to Abram and God's Promises to Abraham and Sarah

Image Credit:  Free Bible Images

Since I've been digging deeper into Genesis and all the Bible stories I've read since childhood, genealogy records have been particularly interesting.  In the past, I've always skipped over those passages.  We are now in Genesis 11-12.  Genesis 11 traces the genealogy from Shem (one of Noah's three sons) to Abram (who will later be called Abraham).

Geneses 11:27-32 tells us more about Terah's family line.  

Family lines can get a bit confusing.  No wonder I've always skipped over these parts in the past.  However, it has been particularly interesting to me as I have traced the genealogy from Adam all the way to Abram.

Chapter 11 is all about the family lines as they are represented in the two charts above.  Now we are ready to move on to God's promises to Abram in Genesis 12.

God's Promises to Abraham and Sarah

The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.
 

“I will make you into a great nation,
    and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
    and you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
    and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
    will be blessed through you.”

So Abram went, as the Lord had told him. - Genesis 12:1-4

 

Have you noticed a particular repeated phrase regarding Noah's response to God's instructions and Abram's response?  They both did as the Lord told them.  This should be a good example for us.  How many times have we chosen to not do as God has told us?  Perhaps we deliberately disobeyed God's instructions or perhaps we ignored them.  Then later on, we look back and realize that we should have followed the examples of Noah and Abram.  We should have done exactly as the Lord told us.

The story goes on to tell us that Abram took his wife Sarai (later to be called Sarah), his nephew Lot, all their possessions and people they had acquired, and set out from Herran to travel to the land of Canaan.  Then God gave Abram another promise.

To your offspring, I will give this Land. - Genesis 12:7 

After God's promise to give to Noah's offspring the land of Canaan, Abram built an alter to the Lord and called on His name.

Then Abram continued on toward Negev.

According to BibleRef.com, the Negev (referred to as Negeb on their website), was a dry, desert area.  It was not a good place for food or other resources.

There was a famine in the area of the Negev so Abram traveled to Egypt.  It was so severe that Abram had to live in Egypt for a while.  I took a photo of the bottom half of a map in the back of my NASB large print Bible so you can see the area we are reading about. (Genesis 12:10)

As Abram traveled from the Negev into Egypt, we come to another familiar Old Testament story.  The Bible tells us that Abram knew the Egyptians would notice that Sarai was a beautiful woman.  The Egyptians were sure to realize that Sarai was Abram's wife.  Abram believed that the Egyptians would kill him, but let Sarai live so he convinced Sarai to pretend to be Abram's sister.

When Abram and Sarai arrived in Egypt, the Pharaoh's officials saw her and praised her to Pharaoh.  Sarai was taken to Pharaoh's palace.  Because Sarai was beautiful and thought to be Abram's sister, Abram was treated well.  He acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels.

However, God inflicted Pharaoh and his household with serious diseases.  Pharoah knew something was wrong so he sent for Abram to ask him what he had done.  When Pharaoh learned that Sarai was actually Abram's wife, he knew why he and his household had been inflicted with disease for he had taken Sarai as his own wife (Genesis 12:19).  Pharaoh ordered Abram to take Sarai and go.  Pharaoh's men were ordered to see that Abram, Sarai, and all that they had went away. (Genesis 12:10-20)



Lies always get someone in trouble don't they?  It seems on the surface that Abram had a good reason for asking Sarai to lie about her relationship with him.  Under similar circumstances, we might do the same thing.  However, one lie can lead to disaster.  Because of Abram and Sarai's lie, Pharaoh took Sarai as his own wife.  He took the wife of another man as his own.  Here is where the seemingly "innocent fib" resulted in disaster.

We should remember this story as an example about how a lie, even a seemingly innocent little fib, can and probably will result in disaster either for us or for someone else.

Do you wonder if the diseases inflicted upon Pharaoh and his family were unfair?  I did at first because Pharaoh didn't know that Sarai was Abram's wife.  Dr. Elizabeth Mitchell has written an article about this over at Answers in Genesis.  She brings up a few  points that had not crossed my mind.  Also, I must have missed this point somewhere in my reading, but I didn't realize that Sarai was Abram's half sister.  Abram didn't exactly lie, but he didn't tell the whole truth either.  Another point she raises in her article is that as Abram's wife and also the mother of the nation God promised to Abram and Sarai, Abram failed to protect Sarai as he should have.  Therefore, God stepped in to intervene in their circumstances. 

Abraham was married to his half-sister, Sarai, who, at age sixty-five, was still apparently beautiful. To protect himself, Abraham persuaded Sarah to lie about her marriage to him and pretend to be his sister. Unprotected by her husband, Sarah was whisked off to Pharaoh’s harem. In exchange, Pharaoh showered Abraham with riches.  Since Abraham didn’t properly protect Sarah, who was the promised mother of a new nation that would bless the whole world, God had to step in to keep her away from Pharaoh’s bed.

God protected Sarah by sending “great plagues” on Pharaoh and his house. The Hebrew words translated as “plagues” can refer to sores or wounds and does not require them to be deadly. Sarah was kept safe and it seems Pharaoh eventually put two and two together and figured out that the timing and scope of this disease was somehow associated with Abraham’s arrival and that Sarah was Abraham’s wife. Pharaoh graciously let Abraham keep all the stuff he had acquired in Egypt and summarily sent him away. - Dr. Elizabeth Mitchell, Answers in Genesis.

Head over there here to read her full explanation.  It's quiet an interesting read.

This post is part of my Coloring Through Genesis Series.  I'm using my Beautiful Word Coloring Bible.  I have enjoyed coloring the pages.  I've always been a tactile learner so coloring the pages help me engage with the scriptures and I spend more time in the passages.  If you think this is something you would like to do, grab a set of colored pencils and a Beautiful Word Coloring Bible. There are a few different variations of the Beautiful Word Coloring Bible.

This is the one I have.

The Beautiful Word Coloring Bible

Teach the Children

As I was searching for credible online resources for you to teach the story of Abram and Sarai to your children, I came across Free Bible Images.  It's a website that allows you to download their images for teaching Bible stories.  It's awesome.  Their images fall under the Creative Commons license.  If you use them on a website or blog, you must give credit and link back to their site.

Here's a sample of what Free Bible Images offers.

Images from BibleImages.org

 They give you a snippet of the story with the slides.

As they entered Egypt Abram became worried. His wife Sarai was very beautiful. He feared that Pharaoh might kill him so he could take Sarai as his wife. So, he told Sarai to pretend she was not his wife but his sister. – Slide 14

Pharaoh’s officials told Pharaoh how beautiful Abram’s ‘sister’ was and he took her into his palace. He gave Abram cattle, donkeys servants and gifts. – Slide 15

Follow my new Abraham and Sarah Pinterest Board here for more resources for teaching the story of Abraham and Sarah to children.

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Image by Free Bible Images