Lesson Eleven
“Mother of Nations”
Scripture reference: Genesis 11:29-31; 12:5-17; 16:1-8; 17:15-21; 18:1-15; 20:2-18;
21:1-12; 23:1-4, 19; Isaiah 51:2; Romans 4:19; 9:9; Hebrews 11:11; 1 Peter 3:6
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“Sarah” means Princess – to rule.
Sarah was a wise woman who followed her husband as he followed God. She was submissive to God, her husband and the will of God. She accepted her role as a woman, wife and mother.
A FAITHFUL WOMAN:
Abraham was 75 years old when God told him to leave Ur of the Chaldees (Genesis 12:1-4). Hebrews 11: 8-10 tells us that Abraham did not know where he was going, but was willing to obey God. In the same manner, Sarah his wife obeyed Abraham, calling him lord (1 Peter 3:6), meaning master, Sarah was a very beautiful, strong-willed woman, but submissive to her husband. Because of no food in the land, Abraham journeyed to Egypt. He was afraid the Egyptians would kill him and take Sarah for a wife. Abraham lied and asked Sarah to lie and say she was his sister. In truth, Sarah was his half sister (Genesis 20:11-13). Abraham lied to Pharaoh, but God protected Sarah. God promised Abraham he would be the father of nations (Genesis 15:4-6; 17:3-8,15-16) and Sarah would bear a son. Many years later they had no children.
A FRETFUL WOMAN:
Sarah decided to take matters into her own hands (a scheme – a plan) and help God (to manipulate, to make things happen her way) to make Abraham a father. It was a custom that a child born to a servant in the household could be claimed as Sarah’s own, but this was NOT God’s way. The constant grief of barrenness caused Sarah to make a great mistake. She gave her maid, Hagar, to Abraham to conceive a child. Ishmael was born and Abraham loved him but he was not the promised son. The Nation Islam continues from Ishmael and Abraham. Sarah was to brith the promised son (Genesis 17:15-17).
A FULFILLED WOMAN:
Three men came to Abraham’s tent one day. As Sarah was preparing the meal, she heard one of the visitors tell Abraham that when he returned, Sarah would have a son. Sarah laughed in disbelief (Genesis 18:9-15). But God is faithful, and when Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah 90 years old, their son Isaac was born (Genesis 17:17). The name Isaac means “laughter” (Genesis 21:1-7). Sarah laughed with doubt when the Lord said she would have a son in her old age. But now, Sarah praises the Lord for keeping His promises. The Jewish Nation continues from Isaac and Abraham. “Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delievered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised” (Hebrews 11:11). The future generations of this family would be more than could counted (Genesis 15:5-6; Hebrews 11:12). The first Jew was a Gentile, “Abram the Hebrew” (Genesis 14:13). Sarah was his wife and she became the mother of the Jewish Nation. She is the only woman in the Bible whose age is given when she died (Genesis 23:1-4). She was buried in a cave; not out in the sand of the desert. Abraham mourned for Sarah for many years, and when he died he was buried beside her.
A Thought to remember – Sarah’s life was an example of patience. She became a wise woman worthy of being praised (1 Peter 3:6). The Lord forgives and helps us to learn from mistakes. “Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart, wait, I say, on the Lord” (Psalm 27:14). Sometimes waiting is still in the will of God.
Lesson to learn – How will you be remembered? Sarah was loved by her husband and children. She is remembered as mother of the Jewish people. Live your life so you will not have regrets!