We first meet Sarah in Genesis chapter 11. At this time, her name was Sarai, which meant princess. She is given in marriage to Abraham and we find in that same chapter that she is unable to conceive. For any woman who desires to be a mom, this can be a devastating situation. In the time period Sarah lived, it meant much more than it does now. If you could not have children, your value as a person went down. A family was everything. People have not changed, and I’m sure there were those who whispered and gossiped about her bareness. What was wrong with her? Was there a problem with her relationship with Abraham? It must have been difficult for Sarah to watch, as friends and family had baby after baby.
She had been an obedient wife to Abraham, following him to unknown lands, and lying for him when they entered Egypt. Why Egypt because there was a great famine in their land and Egypt had plenty. Because Sarah was a beautiful woman, Abraham asks her to tell Pharaoh that she was his sister in Genesis 12:11-13. Abraham feared death if Pharaoh knew she was his wife. This was a partial truth, she was Abrahams half-sister, but it still was not right, because the intent was to deceive. Abraham is found out, but God intervenes and protects His children. Sarah is still being the patient, obedient wife.
We find her impatience in Genesis chapter 17. Years have gone by, and the promise of a child has not come to pass. Her faith wavers, she gets impatient and gives her handmaid, Hagar, to Abraham to have a child. It was not an uncommon thing for a man to have children with his wife’s handmaid. It was a means of multiplying the family. However, it was not God’s plan. Hagar’s son Ismael was a son of Abraham, but not the one God intended to carry on the lineage of Abraham. This was an impulsive impatient act on Sarah’s part. Hagar conceives and she now has contempt for Sarah. Sarah was unwilling to see her own impatience in giving Hagar to her husband. She was the cause of Hagar’s despising her. She blames Abraham and he tells her it is her handmaid, and she has the power to do with her as she desires. Hagar leaves and God meets her in her pain. God tells her to go back and submit to Sarah and have the child. All because Sarah allows her flesh to override her faith. One lapse of faith changed the course of history for a new nation of Ishmaelites.
In Genesis 18:10-13, we see Sarah laughing at the news she will become pregnant and bear a son. Sometimes we are like Sarah our faith is strong when we can reason things out and understand them, but what about believing when reasonableness doesn’t fit the situation. That is where Sarah found herself. Sarah does believe, but not before she has doubts. God is faithful and she birthed Isaac just as God had said.
Hebrews 11:11 “Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.”
Where are you in your faith? Do you believe all that God has said in His word? If you do your behavior will reflect your belief. There is nothing too hard for God. We serve a God of the impossible and we need to start praying and living like we believe it. What are some things you have a hard time believing? Is it the salvation of a loved one? God wishes that no one will perish. While it is true everyone has a free will to accept or reject Christ, we need to pray and believe God for the souls of men. Which stage of your faith is like Sarah’s? If you are doubting, stop, ask forgiveness, and stop waffling.
Luke 1:37 “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
