In this site...
Sarah's Laughter
Read more about Sarah laughing at the angel's message in
Genesis 17.
Daughters of Sarah
by Margaret Hartnett
Daughters of Sarah. Ouch – submission, submission, submission comes to mind! Not always an acceptable subject for today’s modern woman – but one that is oh so necessary.
Back in Genesis 12:5 it talks of when Abram departed for the land of Canaan. It says he took Sarai. Note that it doesn’t say he discussed it with her or even asked her approval – though it is, of course, quite possible that he did. Whether he did or not doesn’t really matter. The fact remains that she followed. I can’t help but wonder though if she didn’t have a niggle or two, doubting thoughts and concerns about leaving familiarity and family behind. After all, she was a woman!
It reminds me of the time the Lord told my husband we were to go to America, not for a visit but for a considerable period of time. I too knew this was the mind of the Lord, but it didn’t stop me from worrying, having doubts, fears and everything else that tried to turn me from being wholly submissive and saying ‘yes, I’ll go, come what may’. It wasn’t easy knowing my husband had resigned from his very good job, that we were selling our house, that a fourth baby was coming and would be only 6 weeks old when we left – but despite all the turmoil, I finally accepted that this was what God wanted of us, and off we went. Loving submission won out in the end.
Sarai was beautiful – Abram asked her to lie for him, say she was his sister instead of his wife so he wouldn’t be killed for her beauty. She obeyed him! Now whilst we are to be daughters of Sarah, surely we aren’t expected to lie, even for our husbands. Along with me, I’m sure you would all say ‘no’. But that’s a hard one, isn’t it? We wouldn’t do that, would we – even if it meant our husband might die. Or would we? Remember that we are all human, we all sin, we all do things we know we shouldn’t – the circumstances may be just too hard for us not to let that little white lie slip. Obedience is never proven until it’s tested. I don’t believe Sarah was any different, and I know God’s love and forgiveness is no less for us than it was for Sarah. Now that doesn’t give us license to sin – but if we should, we know we have a forgiving Heavenly Father who loves us just as much as He loved Sarah.
Just as with obedience, neither is faith proven until it is tested. Did Sarah have faith as she listened in on Abraham’s conversation with his three visitors? She laughed when he was told she would bear a son – she didn’t believe that it could happen. (Frankly, I don’t think I would have either, especially if I was as old as she was!) Of course, she should have had the faith to accept what God had said – but she didn’t. But then, I don’t always have the faith I should have either – even when God has proven Himself to me time and time again. Doubt and fear creep in so easily at times – they are our biggest enemy! And then, my goodness – she lied again. Sarah said she hadn’t laughed at all, because she was afraid. Seriously dear sisters, doesn’t this make you feel good? Isn’t it nice to know that she was normal? She was no different to the way we are, many hundreds of years later. I have no doubt Sarah could relate to me, and I to her.
Despite her shortcomings, she obviously was a godly woman. The Bible doesn’t tell us a great deal about her day to day life, but surely it can’t have been too different as far as relating to our husbands is concerned. The Bible portrays her as a godly, submissive wife. I am well aware that I have many shortcomings, but I also know my goal is to be a godly, loving and submissive wife. Some people would say I am – and yes, to a degree I am! But those who know me well are aware of the times I fall short. Thankfully God knows my heart – as does my husband. Both of them concentrate on the good in me for which I’m very thankful. It is because of God’s love, grace and mercy that I believe I can call myself a Daughter of Sarah, one who obeys my husband - even if I don’t call him lord.
Back in Genesis 12:5 it talks of when Abram departed for the land of Canaan. It says he took Sarai. Note that it doesn’t say he discussed it with her or even asked her approval – though it is, of course, quite possible that he did. Whether he did or not doesn’t really matter. The fact remains that she followed. I can’t help but wonder though if she didn’t have a niggle or two, doubting thoughts and concerns about leaving familiarity and family behind. After all, she was a woman!
It reminds me of the time the Lord told my husband we were to go to America, not for a visit but for a considerable period of time. I too knew this was the mind of the Lord, but it didn’t stop me from worrying, having doubts, fears and everything else that tried to turn me from being wholly submissive and saying ‘yes, I’ll go, come what may’. It wasn’t easy knowing my husband had resigned from his very good job, that we were selling our house, that a fourth baby was coming and would be only 6 weeks old when we left – but despite all the turmoil, I finally accepted that this was what God wanted of us, and off we went. Loving submission won out in the end.
Sarai was beautiful – Abram asked her to lie for him, say she was his sister instead of his wife so he wouldn’t be killed for her beauty. She obeyed him! Now whilst we are to be daughters of Sarah, surely we aren’t expected to lie, even for our husbands. Along with me, I’m sure you would all say ‘no’. But that’s a hard one, isn’t it? We wouldn’t do that, would we – even if it meant our husband might die. Or would we? Remember that we are all human, we all sin, we all do things we know we shouldn’t – the circumstances may be just too hard for us not to let that little white lie slip. Obedience is never proven until it’s tested. I don’t believe Sarah was any different, and I know God’s love and forgiveness is no less for us than it was for Sarah. Now that doesn’t give us license to sin – but if we should, we know we have a forgiving Heavenly Father who loves us just as much as He loved Sarah.
Just as with obedience, neither is faith proven until it is tested. Did Sarah have faith as she listened in on Abraham’s conversation with his three visitors? She laughed when he was told she would bear a son – she didn’t believe that it could happen. (Frankly, I don’t think I would have either, especially if I was as old as she was!) Of course, she should have had the faith to accept what God had said – but she didn’t. But then, I don’t always have the faith I should have either – even when God has proven Himself to me time and time again. Doubt and fear creep in so easily at times – they are our biggest enemy! And then, my goodness – she lied again. Sarah said she hadn’t laughed at all, because she was afraid. Seriously dear sisters, doesn’t this make you feel good? Isn’t it nice to know that she was normal? She was no different to the way we are, many hundreds of years later. I have no doubt Sarah could relate to me, and I to her.
Despite her shortcomings, she obviously was a godly woman. The Bible doesn’t tell us a great deal about her day to day life, but surely it can’t have been too different as far as relating to our husbands is concerned. The Bible portrays her as a godly, submissive wife. I am well aware that I have many shortcomings, but I also know my goal is to be a godly, loving and submissive wife. Some people would say I am – and yes, to a degree I am! But those who know me well are aware of the times I fall short. Thankfully God knows my heart – as does my husband. Both of them concentrate on the good in me for which I’m very thankful. It is because of God’s love, grace and mercy that I believe I can call myself a Daughter of Sarah, one who obeys my husband - even if I don’t call him lord.
© Margaret Hartnett
About the Author: I am first and foremost wife to my husband Tyronne, and mother to eleven great children (one with Jesus),and Nanny to nine beautiful grandchildren (so far). I have several different hobbies, and one of them is writing – mostly from my own experiences over 30 years of walking with Jesus. We live in the beautiful country of New Zealand.