Women of the Bible Sarah Part 2

In this study we will take a look at the women within the Bible. We will look at each one of them and see how their story influences our lives today.

The story of Sarah contains 7 episodes in which we shall Unravel: 

1  Sarah and the Pharaoh of Egypt, Genesis 11:29-12:1-20

2  Sarah, Hagar and Ishmael, Genesis 16

3  The Promise, Genesis 17

4  The Three Visitors, Genesis 18

5  Yahweh Warns Abimelek Off Sarah, Genesis 20

6  The Birth of Isaac, Hagar and Ishmael Sent Away, Genesis 21

7  The End of Sarah's Story, Genesis 22, 23:1-2 

In our last study we were looking into Sarah the wife of Abraham. We finished in Chapter 16 verse 4 where Sarah has given to Abraham her ‘handmaid’ (not necessarily a slave. Remember we read in The Legends of The Old Testament Characters when Abraham and Sarah went into Egypt, and it stated that Pharaoh gave Abraham (a high father) his daughter for a handmaid?). In verse 4 we read that Sarai (my princess) despised (‘kaw-lal') making light of someone or something as in shame, curse or dishonor) Hagar (flight) as Hagar was able to conceive a child from Abram

5   My wrong be upon you = Sarai blamed the whole situation on Abram, and there was some reason for this. Abram should have acted as the spiritual leader and told his wife that Yahweh was able to perform what He promised 

6  Indeed your maid is in your hand; do to her as you please = Abram seemed to make a bad situation worse by turning the situation over to Sarai and not taking care of the child he was father to. Yet in this, he also put his relationship with Sarai first, and that was good

Maid = “shif-khaw'” As joined to a mistress

in thy hand = In thy power 

Harshly = Sarai probably imposed heavy tasks upon her. ‘Sarah acted sinfully in thus ill-treating Hagar, and also Abram in permitting it; therefore, Yahweh heard her affliction and gave her a son who became the ancestor of a vicious race that was destined to deal harshly with the descendants of Abram and Sarai’

The problem between the two women escalates into a real conflict, and eventually reaches the point where Hagar runs away, out into the desert - even though running away, if you are a slave, is a serious crime. Despite her pregnancy, Hagar is still a servant in the household - her words, and those of the angel, make this clear. (Genesis 16:8) 

Hagar heads for Egypt, and home

 Personal feelings were set aside. The question as between man and man had no weight when Abraham looked at things from above. Sarah dealt harshly with her handmaid, and Hagar fled from her face. Here again Sarah was no helpmeet to her husband. She acted selfishly and cruelly, because she considered herself rather than her Yahweh

NOW WE COME TO

The Promise

Genesis 17

When Abram (exalted father) was ninety-nine years old (Gen. 17:1), Yahweh appeared to him after thirteen years of silence, the result apparently of his unbelieving step in taking Hagar to wife. But now He speaks of a Covenant, and gives to Abram circumcision as a sign between Yahweh and his seed. Then Yahweh changes his name, and calls him Abraham, "the father of a multitude of nations." (Gen. 17:5) Allow me to explain this. The fifth letter of Hebrew alphabet (= H), put in middle of his name = No. 5, Grace. Changed his name Abram = exalted father; to Abraham = father of a multitude

Sarah = Once again allow me to explain this to you. The addition of the 5th letter (= H) of Hebrew alphabet (the No. of Grace,) Sarai = princely; Sarah = princess

Join me as we go Chapter by Chapter, Verse by Verse, Unraveling the Words of Yahweh!

Have any questions? Feel free to email me; keitner2024@outlook.com