Nazarene Israelite Two House Congregation of Port Elizabeth

Lessons to learn from the life of Sarah.

Our father Abraham married a beautiful woman named Sarah. In fact she was so beautiful that two kings of that time took her into their harems. Both these two rulers were unaware that they were dealing with Elohim’s faithful servants Sarah and Abraham. However, both rulers made the mistake because Abraham distorted the truth by introducing Sarah his wife, as his sister. But Sarah was Abraham’s half-sister; nonetheless she was also his wife. Even at age 65, she remained very attractive and turned the heads of rulers. Nonetheless, Sarah’s inner beauty of faith in Elohim far exceeded her outward beauty.

Over a period of time, Elohim developed Sarah into a courageous, loyal and faithful support for Abraham. Sarah placed herself in Elohim’s hands for Him to reshape her perspective – and He changed her doubt into faith. Sarah protected her son Isaac and defended her family life and home by forcing the banishment of her handmaiden Hagar, who had a son named Ishmael by Abraham. Sarah remained faithful to her husband no matter what. Even though Sarah’s shortcomings were typical of any day, her virtues serve as an example for women and men forever.

Sarah was a suitable partner for Abraham and shines as a faithful wife and mother. In fact she is often referred to as the mother of all faithful women.We read fittingly from Isaiah 51: 1  & 2, “Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, who seek YHVH: Look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug. (2) Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who gave birth to you in pain; when he was one (single) I called him, then I blessed him and multiplied him.”  As Abraham’s wife Sarah also rose above the occasional anxieties of married life. Because husbands and wives can and have different perspectives based on facts and intuition, wives can become concerned about their husbands’ decisions.  This is why it is so very important that there exists good communication channels between married partners, to ensure a healthy marriage. And even though Sarah and Abraham likely had good communication in their marriage, her faith in Elohim helped in this important area of emotional needs.

One of Sarah’s most emotional times, must have been when she demanded that Abraham send Hagar and Ishmael away into the wilderness.  It must have been a heartrendering scene, a time of great distress in the lives of Sarah, Abraham and Hagar (not forgetting young Ishmael). This was a time of decision for Sarah, but also a time to confirm a declaration of her son Isaac as sole heir to Abraham and Sarah’s future blessings. Elohim had previously announced to Abraham that He would continue His covenant through Isaac, not Ishmael, as is recorded in Genesis 17: 19 – 21[1], so this was in accordance with Elohim’s purpose.

We read from Genesis 16: 1 – 3, that Sarah gave Hagar her maid to Abram her husband as his wife, as follows: ‘Now Sarai, Abram’s wife had borne him no children, and she had an Egyptian maid whose name was Hagar. (2) So Sarai said to Abram, “Now behold, YHVH has prevented me from bearing children. Please go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children through her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. (4) And after Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, Abram’s wife Sarai took Hagar the Egyptian, her maid, and gave her to her husband Abram, as his wife.’We read further from verses 4 – 6, ‘And he went in to Hagar, and she conceived; and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her sight (Hagar most probably despised Sarai, because she knew that Abram was not the reason for the couple being childless). (5) And Sarai said to Abram, “May the wrong done to me be upon you. I gave you my maid into your arms; but when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her sight. May YHVH judge between you and me.” (6) But Abram said to Sarai, “Behold, your maid is in your power; do to her what is good in your sight.” So Sarai treated her harshly, and she fled from her presence.’

Sarah also later personally saw 16 year old Ishmael mock young Isaac, as we read from Genesis 21: 9 – 11, in this way: ‘Now Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking. (10) Therefore she said to Abraham, “Drive out this maid and her son, for the son of this maid shall not be an heir with my son Isaac.” (11) And the matter distressed Abraham greatly because of his son.’ We know Ishmael’s age at the time from reading from Genesis 16: 16 and 21: 5 & 8; Ishmael was 13 years old when Isaac was conceived, 14 years old at Isaac’s birth, and about 16 years old when Isaac was weaned. Sarah’s jealousy for Isaac as their only heir complemented Elohim’s promise to Abraham and Sarah, as witnessed in Genesis 21: 12 (as well as in Hebrews 11: 18), as follows: “For in Isaac your seed shall be called.”

Consider Sarah’s situation for a moment, and put yourself in her shoes, asking yourself, what you would have done in  a similar situation. Bear in mind that Sarah was 90 years old when Elohim fulfilled His promise that she would bear a son. Hagar was Sarah’s handmaid whom she had given unwisely to Abraham in the hope of ‘helping’ Elohim in His promise to her, a barren old woman. Now the son of this handmaid was mocking Isaac, her very own flesh and blood. In her view, the only peace her family could enjoy would be from the removal of Hagar her handmaid and her son Ishmael. The point is that having Hagar and Ishmael around continually reminded Sarah of the mistake she had made in giving Hagar to Abraham as his wife. The situation must have been unbearableto Sarah.

This situation must have grieved Abraham as well. After all Ishmael was also his flesh and blood son. It must have hurt him deeply to let his son, who was now growing into a young man, go. Abraham must have spent a great deal of time with Ishmael, teaching him many basic life skills that he would need when he would be on his own.  However, the soundest resolution to this distressing matter was in Elohim’s hands, as we also read from Genesis 21: 12 & 13, in this way: ‘But Elohim said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed because of the lad and your maid; whatever Sarah tells you, listen to her, for through Isaac your descendants shall be named. (13) And of the son of the maid I will make a nation also, because he is your descendant.”After Elohim told Abraham this he got up early in the morning and gave Hagar and Ishmael bread and water and sent them on their way into the wilderness of Beersheba. We see that Abraham again obeyed Elohim, without any question. No wonder Abraham was called the father of the faithful in Galatians 3: 7 and Romans 4: 16. Even so, it must have been very painful for Abraham to see his son disappear into the wilderness, wondering if he will ever see him again.

Similarly Hagar probably asked herself what she had done to deserve such harsh treatment. There had been hard feelings between her and her mistress since she had conceived Ishmael, but she had been obedient to Sarah and Abraham. However, now, they were sending her and her son into the wilderness, with only bread and water. As she started out with her son across the hot and barren wilderness, she speculated what lay ahead for her and her son. But, Elohim had not forgotten Abraham’s first son and consequently there was hope for Hagar and Ishmael. At the time she could only imagine that death and suffering lay ahead of them. Hagar did not understand that Elohim would take care of her and her son Ishmael, and she was not aware of Elohim’s intention to bless Israel through Isaac, the seed of promise.

Abraham was 99 years old and Sarah was 90 when Isaac was conceived. At that time Sarah must have been well beyond menopause, so Elohim would necessarily have had to perform a miracle for conception to occur. After all, Elohim made a promise and was easily able to fulfill His promise. But, even though Elohim had given His word, both Sarah and Abraham had a lesson to learn about faith and patience. At first they tried to work out things their own way. Abraham and Sarah tried to improve Elohim’s timetable, rather than waiting for Him to perform what He promised them, though they were both beyond the age of procreation. They decided that Elohim meant for them to help Him perform the miracle that He promised them. Picture the scenario for a moment;  Sarah may have thought, I have this faithful young handmaiden and maybe Elohim wanted Abraham and me to have a son through her. Next she suggested to Abraham that he should have the child that Elohim promised them, through Hagar.

This sounded reasonable to Abraham, and since it was common practice in the surrounding cultures, he agreed. However, that was not what Elohim had in mind. Yes, this was their attempt to work things out through human reasoning. Elohim also allowed their human reasoning to rule for the moment, and as a result Ishmael was born to Abraham and Hagar. By allowing this to happen Elohim provided us with an understanding of the difference between human effort and faith in Elohim.However, even if we know the will of Elohim, we sometimes try to improve on Elohim’s timing by working out His promises through our own effort. What Elohim expects is that we know His will, and with continued patience  and faith, we wait on Him to answer according to His promise. During such occasions we do not trust the word of YHVH, when we read Yahshua’s words in John 6: 44, where Yahshua said: “No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.”  No, we prefer to take matters in our own hands, and try to ‘convert’ people like our children and family, knowing full well that Elohim does the calling. In addition, by what Yahshua said in the above quoted section, we can be certain that those not called at this time, will be resurrected on the last day, and be given the same chance that those of us called at this time are having. 

Certainly there are things that we can do for ourselves and our families. But when it comes to faith, we are dealing with spiritual matters which connect seamlessly, with patience. Elohim is not opposed to our caring for ourselves and our families; but He is opposed to our caring more for ourselves and our families, than for Him and His will, as Yahshua said in Luke 14: 26 & 27, in this way: “If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate (or more correctly love less) his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. (27) Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.”This is what Sarah and her husband Abraham learned through their bitter experiences. Patience is one of the most crucial lessons that Elohim wants us and any believer in Him to learn.  Infact this is exactly what Yahshua told His disciples in Luke 21: 19, as follows: “By your endurance you will gain your lives (meaning eternal life).”

Saving our spiritual lives is what is most important to Elohim. This is not to say that faith and patience do not play a role in protecting our physical lives. The example of Daniel proves this to be true. Daniel patiently waited for Elohim to deliver him from the hungry lions, when he was thrown into the lion den, for praying openly to Elohim in defiance of king Darius, as we read from Daniel 6: 16 – 23, in this way: ‘Then the king gave orders and Daniel was brought in and cast into the lions’ den. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Your G-d whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you.” (17) And a stone was brought and laid over the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing might be changed in regard to Daniel. (18) Then the king went off to his palace and spent the night fasting and no entertainment was brought before him; and his sleep fled from him (Daniel was a very useful resource to king Darius and he did not want anything to happen to him.). (19) Then the king arose with the dawn, at the break of day, and went in haste to the lions’ den. (20) And when he had come near the den to Daniel, he cried out with a troubled voice. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Daniel servant of the living G-d, has your G-d, whom you constantly serve, been able to deliver you from the lions?”  (21) Then Daniel spoke to the king, “O king live forever! (22) My Elohim sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime.”  (23) Then the king was very pleased and gave orders for Daniel to be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he had trusted in his Elohim.’ Elohim heard Daniel’s prayers, observed his faith and spared his physical life. Elohim saves our spiritual lives, but often our physical lives as well.

We read from Hebrews 11: 11& 12 that Sarah was patient and faithful, waiting on Elohim, as follows: ‘By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised; (12) therefore, also, there was born of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants AS THE STARS OF HEAVEN IN NUMBER, AND INNUMERABLE AS THE SAND WHICH IS BY THE SEASHORE.’So we see that the entire miraculous event was based on her patiently waiting on Elohim’s answer.

We should not conclude the account of Sarah without the fact that when YHVH promised her she would bear a son in her advanced age, she privately laughed about such an apparent absurdity. According to Genesis 18: 10 – 15, Elohim said to Abraham: “I will surely return to you at this time next year; and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door, which was behind him. (11) Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age: Sarah was past childbearing. (12)And Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I have become old. Shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?” (13) And YHVH said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, when I am so old?’(14) Is anything too difficult for YHVH? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” (15)Sarah denied it however, saying, “I did not laugh”;  for she was afraid. And He said, “No, but you did laugh.”’

Reading this portion of the scriptures in isolation; the dialogue between Elohim and Sarah appears to be insignificant. However the discussion continues and is also mentioned in the Renewed Covenant (Romans 9: 6 - 9), where it takes on new meaning. Moses shows us how the nature of Sarah’s laughter changed in Genesis 21: 1, 2 & 6, as follows: ‘Then YHVH took note of Sarah as He had, and YHVH did for Sarah as He had promised. (2) So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the appointed time of which Elohim had spoken to him. (6) And Sarah said, “Elohim has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me.”’Yes, originally the 90 year old Sarah laughed at the apparent absurdity of her delivering a son. Her reaction was laughing in doubt, but after she actually gave birth to Isaac, her skepticism changed to laughter of joy. At that point she enjoyed the laughter of faith. Just imagine the satisfaction she must have felt.

Sarah’s example is recorded in the book of Hebrews 11, which tells of many inspiring stories of faith. Even though she is only mentioned briefly in this section, she ranks with all the faithful in the Scriptures. It is for this very reason that Rav Kepha also praised all faithful woman throughout the ages, by writing in first Peter 3: 6, ‘Thus Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear.’Like our fathers in the faith Sarah is a shining example of the practice of faith.Halleluyah!

 

[1]Genesis 17: 19 – 21, ‘But Elohim said, “No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. And as for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I will bless him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this season next year.”’