Hope in the Bible: Sarah Has a Son

Can you imagine the joy within Sarah’s heart as she held her son for the first time?

Many women long for children and undergo a variety of testing and treatments before they experience the joy of motherhood. 

Back in Biblical times a woman’s purpose was to provide children for her husband.

She and Abraham waited for a long time for the child God promised them.

Abraham {Abram at this time} is seventy-five years old, when the Lord commands him to leave his homeland for the land the Lord has for him.  {Genesis 12}

He takes his family and goes where the Lord directs him.

The Lord renews his commandment saying “ “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring^[d] be.”  {Genesis 15:5}

But notice what Abram has already reminded the Lord. “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.”  {Genesis 15:3}

However, God has promised and He will fulfill.

This doesn’t mean that Sarah enjoyed the wait, because she gives her maidservant to Abram and she gives him a son, Ishmael. {Genesis 16}

Twenty-five years pass before the Lord fulfills his promise. Abraham and Sarah had to wait for God’s timing and their faith to be tested and built before the promise was fulfilled.

But, the Lord did provide the promised heir and Isaac was born to Sarah.  Did I mentioned that Sarah is believed to be  ninety years old at this point?

“Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.”  {Genesis 21:5}

So, how did Sarah react?

Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.”  {Genesis 21:6}

Sarah laughs. Actually, she names her son laughter. The meaning of the name Isaac is laughter.

“And she added, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”  {Genesis 21:7}

Sarah rejoices. We can imagine her and Abraham praising the Lord.

After all these years of waiting, the Lord fulfilled his promises. He gave Abraham and Sarah the promised child in their old age.

Regardless of what God promises us, he will provide. Sometimes we have to wait for his timing. How is he working in your life? What is he preparing you for?