Has jealousy ever taken over when someone has something you want? Does it fester in you to the point of sinning? We can be reminded through the simple lessons from the life of Sarah in the Bible of how God cares for us. Genesis solidifies His overarching care for those He loves. We read how He remembered Noah, Abram, Lot, and Sarah–among many others!
A beautiful picture of future offspring was promised to Abram in Chapter 15. Yet, we find in the very next chapter that, just as we try to do today, we try worldly methods attempting to trump God’s timing. Sarah used some choice words as she implied that God was to blame for her barrenness (16:2a).
The blame game…
We can see that oftentimes when blame is assigned to another, sin typically follows. In our sinful nature, it becomes an excuse for why we are allowed to have sinned. For instance, if you receive an ‘apology’ that goes along the lines of, “I’m sorry, I only treated you that way because Bob told me lies about you.” That is not a real apology as there is no acceptance of personal accountability. You’re placing the blame of your misdeed on someone else’s shoulders.
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So, too, with Sarah. A tumbling snowball of events leads Sarai to what is arguably the most miserable point in her life. There is a striking correlation here with the Fall. Eve decided that she wanted something different than what Adam was told. She acted on that thought, persuaded her husband to follow suit, and then the blame game began.
Ten Years…
Here in chapter 16, 10 years have passed from the last time offspring were promised to Abram. That is a very long time, many(!) months of hoping for a child. Abram is now a whopping 85 years old.
And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.” Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” Genesis 15:3-4, NIV
God had promised Abram that he wouldn’t have to turn to a servant to have an heir. Sarai decides God will not deliver the promise to her personally as Abram’s wife so she offers up another woman, a servant, for her husband to sleep with. And he accepts! Just like Adam, he too, is to blame for his choices. He may have followed his wife’s lead, but that does not absolve him of responsibility for his actions. (Also, why it is SO important to marry wisely).
Hagar despises her now that she is pregnant, and Sarai blames Abram. In a very unvirtuous manner, he tries to claim innocence and puts the onus on Sarai to take care of the situation, where she ends up mistreating Hagar.
Now, do keep in mind, that while not an excuse, her relationship with her husband looks very different than what we would define as healthy today. Twice we read that Abram asks her to lie (half-truths) because of his fears (Genesis 12:10-20 and 20:10-18). He creates a fabrication in his mind that he may be murdered because his wife is beautiful. And EVEN THOUGH he already received promises from the Lord that he would be made into a great nation, he still held this irrational fear and acted on it. He couldn’t die if he would be the father of nations.
The Lord remembers Sarai……
Regardless, Sarai is also still responsible for her actions. Yet, the Lord remembers and blesses her. They receive incredulous and detailed confirmations of the promises received from the Lord from long ago:
Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. Genesis 17:19a
I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son. Genesis 18:10a
I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son. Genesis 18:14
Incredible lessons from the life of Sarah can be seen here. Our own ability to look past our present circumstances to respect God’s sovereign hand will serve us well. This is not to say that if you are trying to conceive, that God will necessarily take away the pain associated with your desires. Naturally, there is pain and hurt there and that might be something you have to work hard to accept. We have feelings and emotions that God gave us and He knows this and comes alongside us as we grieve. In the midst of trials such as infertility, it is a blessed thing to submit to God’s ultimate sovereignty over our lives, even when it feels like the weight of the world is crushing us.
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