Genealogy of Jesus: Sarah, Had to Wait for her Blessing

God promised Abraham he would have descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, but the elderly couple was childless

Sarah was the wife of Abraham {as well as being his half-sister}.  We are told that she was beautiful and twice she and Abraham lied to powerful rulers about their relationship.  When God told Abraham to move Sarah traveled with him and knew the life of a nomad.

                Sarah was originally named Sarai and God changed her name {when he changed Abram to Abraham}.  She left her homeland to follow where God sent Abraham.  She lived in foreign lands, through the demolition of Sodom and Gomorrah, the ups and downs with Cousin Lot and dealt with the pains of being childless.

Sarah laughed when she heard the prophecy that she would have a child

Sarah remained barren for a long time.  This probably became a very painful subject and

source of contention with her as time passed.  The Lord went to Abraham and made a covenant with him that he would bless him with a son.  However, as time passed Sarah grew impatient and gave her servant Hagar to Abraham.  Hagar gave Abraham a son, Ishmael.  This brought much pain to Sarah.

When Sarah heard the proclamation that she would have a child, she laughed. However, she was afraid to admit that she’d laughed when called out.  However, after the birth of Isaac she said “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” 

Lessons from Sarah:

1. Sarah was impatient—God had promised her husband a son but she was too old. She grew impatient of waiting for God’s plan and gave her servant to her husband.
   

   Sarah gave Abraham a son when she was 90 years old

2. Sarah was angry at her actions—we are told that she mistreated Hagar to the point the servant ran away. There are other mentions of jealousy between the women and the tension only grew over time.
3. Sarah didn’t believe—when the Lord said Sarah would have a child, she laughed. When the Lord called her on her action, she was afraid and laughed.
4. God can use us no matter our age—if God can help a 90-year-old woman conceive and have a child he can use us regardless of our age and circumstances.
5. Sarah saw many works of God—from giving birth in her old age, to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, to angelic visits,

How would you have reacted to having a child at 90 years of age?

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