Sarah Series

ABRAHAM AND SARAH

Sarah

Sarah, born Sarai, is a biblical matriarch and prophetess, a significant figure in Abrahamic religions. While different Abrahamic faiths portray her differently, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all depict her character similarly, as that of a pious woman, renowned for her hospitality and beauty, the wife and half-sister of Abraham, and the mother of Isaac. Sarah has her feast day on Sept 01 in the Catholic Church, Aug 19 in the Coptic Orthodox Church, Jan 20 in LCMS, and 12 and 20 December in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

In the Hebrew Bible and the book of Genesis, Abraham tells Abimelech that Sarah is his sister. Sarah;??Modern: Sara, Tiberian: Sara; Arabic: Sarah. Born Sarai, a biblical matriarch and prophetess, is a significant figure in Abrahamic religions. While different Abrahamic faiths portray her differently, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all depict her character similarly, as that of a beautiful, godly woman.

In popular culture

Sarah (originally named Sarai) was one of several Bible women in the Bible who were unable to have children. That proved doubly distressing for her because God had promised Abraham and Sarah they would have a son.

God appeared to Sarah’s husband Abraham when he was 99 years old and made a covenant with him. He told Abraham that he would be the father of the Jewish nation, with descendants more numerous than the stars in the sky. God also said to Abraham, “As for Sarai, your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.” Genesis 17:15–16, NIV)

After waiting many years, Sarah convinced Abraham to sleep with her handmaiden, Hagar, to produce an heir. That was an accepted practice in ancient times.

The child born of that encounter was named Ishmael. However, God had not forgotten his promise.

The Child of Promise

Three heavenly beings, disguised as travelers, appeared to Abraham. God repeated his promise to Abraham that his wife would bear a son. Even though Sarah was ancient, she did conceive and deliver a son. They named him Isaac.

Isaac would father Esau and Jacob. Jacob would father 12 sons who would become heads of the 12 tribes of Israel. From the tribe of Judah would come to David, and finally, Jesus of Nazareth, God’s promised Savior.

Accomplishments of Sarah in the Bible

Sarah’s loyalty to Abraham resulted in her sharing in his blessings. She became the mother of the nation of Israel.

Although she struggled in her faith, God saw fit to include Sarah as the first woman named in the Hebrews 11 “Faith Hall of Fame.”

Sarah is the only woman renamed by God in the Bible. Sarah means “princess.”

Strengths

Sarah’s obedience to her husband Abraham is a model for Christian women. Even when Abraham passed her off as his sister, which landed her in Pharaoh’s harem, she did not object.

Sarah was protective of Isaac and loved him deeply.

The Bible says Sarah was exceedingly beautiful (Genesis 12:11, 14).

Weaknesses

At times, Sarah doubted God. She had trouble believing God would fulfill his promises, so she plunged ahead with her solution.

Life Lessons

Waiting for God to act in our lives may be our most challenging task. It is also true that we can become dissatisfied when God’s solution does not match our expectations.

Sarah’s life teaches us that when we feel doubtful or afraid, we should remember what God said to Abraham, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14, NIV)

Sarah waited 90 years to have a baby. Indeed, she had given up hope of ever seeing her dream of motherhood fulfilled. Sarah was looking at God’s promise from her limited, human perspective. However, the Lord used her life to unfold an extraordinary plan, proving that he is never limited by what usually happens.

Sometimes we feel like God has placed our lives in a permanent holding pattern. Rather than taking matters into our own hands, we can let Sarah’s story remind us that a time of waiting may be God’s precise plan for us.

Hometown

Sarah’s hometown is unknown. Her story begins with Abram in Ur of the Chaldeans.

Occupation

Homemaker, wife, and mother.

Family Tree

• Father - Terah

• Husband - Abraham

• Son - Isaac

• Half Brothers - Nahor, Haran

• Nephew - Lot

References to Sarah in the Bible

• Genesis chapters 11 through 25

• Isaiah 51:2

• Romans 4:19, 9:9

• Hebrews 11:11

• 1 Peter 3:6

Key Verses

Genesis 21:1

Now the LORD was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did what he had promised for Sarah. (NIV)