Today we are going to learn about Sarah in Genesis 12-23!
Sarah is known as the mother of Israel. When Sarah is first mentioned in Genesis 12, she is 65 years old. As we’ve read, Sarah was described as very beautiful even in her old age, which is what most women today strive for. During those times women strived to be mothers. That was their culture; if a woman was barren then she was seen as an outcast and a failure. It was shameful for a woman not to have children. However, God tells Abraham that Sarah will indeed have a child, even in her old age. And what is Sarah’s response? She laughs at God… Think about this: Sarah felt she was so far gone from having children that she laughed at the God who created the universe. Have you ever felt so discouraged or so full of shame that you thought you were bigger than God? Have you laughed at the thought of God giving you your heart’s desire because it didn’t happen in your timeline? Sarah did. Her heart was so broken, and she felt that God did not care about her (Genesis 16:2). She probably felt confused and hurt. She felt the weight of the world on her shoulders by trying so hard to have a child for Abraham. Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever felt that God was mocking you by not giving you what you desired the most? Sarah put all this pressure on herself and she carried that burden for 25 years! She must’ve given up hope, trust, and some faith along the way in waiting all those years.
Sarah’s story is still so beautiful despite her impatience as she waited on the Lord to fulfill His promise. Hebrews 11:11 says, “by faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age since she considered him faithful who had promised.” Sarah was human and at times let her deceptive emotions guide her actions, and in her heart she doubted the promise God made to her and Abraham. She got frustrated in the waiting and tried to do things her way which is why she encouraged Abraham to have a child with another woman. Once she realized her way was fruitless and damaging, she finally placed her faith in God. In His perfect timing, He fulfilled His promise to her. Sarah was 90 years old when she had Isaac. Sarah’s life is a reminder that we don’t have to earn God’s favor. We already have it and He always keeps His promises. He will always be faithful. It’s also a reminder that God’s timing and His way is perfect.
Let’s discuss what we just read. I have some questions that I want you to think about, write them down, and if you’d like to comment below we can discuss them together!
- What did we learn about God and His character in the life of Sarah?
- What character qualities, positive or negative, do we see in Sarah’s life?
- What can I learn from Sarah’s story and apply it to my own life?
God is so faithful! What we want may not happen on our timeline (or the way we want them to) but He will keep His promises to us. Sarah was so impatient and I can certainly understand why. She just wanted a baby! Even though she waited 25 years, she finally had a child. Sarah was faithful in the end because she recognized that God’s way and timing are both perfect.
Things aren’t going to happen when we want or how we plan for them. God’s plan for us is so much bigger than what we plan for ourselves and it’s always for our good. God’s timing is always perfect.
I hope you enjoy this study and decide to come back. Tomorrow, we’ll learn about Hagar and how God moved in her life. I hope you enjoy the beautiful sunset that was made by our loving Father and y’all have a wonderful night.