Sarah

Sarah, born a princess, married to her cousin Abraham, left her homeland to follow her husband to a land unknown. Many a peril they faced on the way but bravely she stood by his side .

God promised Abraham that He would make him the father of a nation and his descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, as the sand on the seashore .

But the promise came much too late in their lives! Sarah barren so far, did not hope to see the fulfilment of God’s promise. Taking control, she led her handmaiden Hagar to her husband bringing trouble upon herself .

Soon a son was born to Hagar , Ishmael – meaning the small son of Abraham. God visited Abraham again and told him the descendants He promised would be from Sarah’s son Isaac, who would be born within the year . Sarah scoffed in disbelief as she was ninety years old and well beyond child bearing.

But a year later, Isaac was born . After the birth of her son, Sarah demands that Hagar the handmaiden is sent away for she did not want Ishmael to share Abraham’s heir ship with Isaac .

At the start of the marriage, Sarah followed Abraham to the unknown land. It was out of duty, love and definitely a sense of adventure. As time went by and the hardships were many and she is not so very accommodating.

This is evident in her taking control by trying to hasten God’s promise. Then when things got out of hand with Hagar and her son Ishmael, she drives them away.

The lessons we learn are – Never to give up on God’s promises. He is faithful and will deliver, to wait patiently on His timing, not to rely on ourselves and try to take control, and fight our circumstances. When our wrong choices lead to adverse consequences, to be able to recognise it and set it right – even if it hurts .

Another important point – Galatians ch 4 v 22-31 Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and is likened to the old covenant as that is where Moses received the Ten Commandments and to the earthly Jerusalem. Hence children of the bond woman are considered to be of the flesh and enslaved .

Sarah is the free woman and likened to the new covenant. Children born of the free woman are free and belong to the spirit and the heavenly Jerusalem.