Verses: Genesis 12:1-20, 16:1-6, 17:15-21, 18:1-15, 20:1-18, 21:1-12, 23:1-2
Background – parents, husband, children, siblings
We don't know a lot about Sarah's background. She and Abraham had the same father, but other than Lot, no other family members are mentioned. She had one son, Isaac. While we may not often think about it, she is one of the women in the direct lineage of Christ.
Sarah's death is recorded in Genesis chapter 23. The Genesis Record points out something I had never seen before: "Sarah died at the age of 127, there in Hebron, and it is significant that she is the only woman in all Scripture whose age at the time of death is given. By any reckoning, she is one of the outstanding women in the Bible. Peter’s reference to her (1 Peter 3:5, 6) indicates that, as Abraham was considered father of those who believe, so Sarah was considered mother of all believing women. “For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands: Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are [or better, ‘have become’], as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement [or, ‘with hysterical fears’].”
What is she most known for? Victories? Defeats? How can I be like her? How can I avoid being like her?
Sarah is the perfect example of a submissive wife. Many chapters in Genesis are devoted to the journeys of Abraham and Sarah. She started in Ur with him. I couldn't find anywhere how old they were when they left Ur and began their journeys, but look at these two images:
Sarah submission is significant, because when she does speak up, Abraham listens. Of course, things didn't go well the first time that happened - Hagar was given to Abraham and Ishmael was conceived. Even when Sarah said in Genesis 16:5, "My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee," Abraham showed confidence in her by saying, "thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee."
There aren't many recorded words of Sarah but after the birth of Isaac, Genesis 21:6 says, "And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me." What a joyful time! She had waited so long and God finally brought it to pass.
Did she reach a place when she needed to reset? If so, did she? For good or evil?
I think Sarah reached a major reset point when she sent Hagar and Ishmael away. This wasn't just an angry mother. Sarah had watched how Ishmael treated Isaac. I picture a teenager, teasing his little brother, "accidentally" tripping him, and a young Isaac trying to do everything his older brother did.
I believe Sarah had not only a God-given right, but a responsibility to protect her son. Isaac was the promised seed. She may have thought that her days were short (although Isaac was 37 when she died.) She and Abraham would be gone and who would Isaac have to guide him? His wild, older half-brother. She had to cut Ishmael's influence out of Isaac's life. Abraham was partially blinded by his love for his son, Ishmael, but God supported Sarah. Genesis 21:12 says, "And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called." John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible says
"in this affair she spoke under a spirit of prophecy, according to the will of God."
The Genesis Record says:
It really was not possible for the two families to exist together, and Abraham should follow Sarah’s request, even though it would go against his own personal feelings and would no doubt seem harsh to others around them. Sometimes it is necessary for God’s people, if they are truly going to be in the will of God and to enjoy the fulness of His blessing, to separate completely from those who might be a source of friction and carnality, even though such separation will be difficult and will give others (who don’t understand the spiritual issues involved) occasion to criticize and ridicule.Mothers and wives, we have a God-given responsibility to protect our families! With much prayer, God will give us the ability to discern when evil is trying to creep into our homes. Don't be afraid to be the "mean" mom. Your teenager may not understand, they may fight you, but souls are at stake. There are times when something just doesn't feel right and that "mama bear" spirit comes on you. You have no logical explanation, but you just know. Don't be afraid to say, "Not in this house!" But just as Sarah was submissive to Abraham, we also must submit. If we are a "continual dropping" (Proverbs 19:13) we won't be heard when we need to be.
