IMITATE THEIR FAITH /SARAH - "LISTEN TO HER"

 

At 90 years of age, Sarah finally got to relish the moment she had longed for all her adult life. She bore a son to her beloved husband, now a century old! Abraham named the baby Isaac, or "Laughter," just as God had said. We may picture Sarah's  weary but glowing smile as she explained: "God has brought me laughter; everybody hearing of it will laugh with me." (Genesis 21:6)  This miraculous gift from Jehovah  surely delighted her till the end of her days.  However, it also brought her great responsibilities. 

When Isaac was five years old, the family held a feast to mark the occasion of the weaning of the child. But not all was well. We read that Sarah  "kept noticing" a troubling patter of behavior. Ishmael, the 19 year old son of Hagar, kept mocking little Isaac.  This was not mere playful teasing.  The apostle Pau was later inspired to call Ishmael's behavior persecution.  Sarah saw this bullying for what it was; a serious   threat to the well-being of her son. Sarah knew well that Isaac was more than just her son; he was assigned a key role  in Jehovah's purpose. So she mustered up courage and spoke forthrightly to Abraham. She asked him to send Hagar and Ishmael away. - GENESIS 21:8-10; GALATIANS 4:22, 23, 29. 

How did Abraham respond? We read: "What she said about his son was very displeasing to Abraham." He was fond of Ishmael, and he could not see past his own fatherly emotions on this issue.  However, Jehovah saw the matter clearly, so he intervened. We read: Then God said to Abraham: 'Do not be displeased by what Sarah is saying to you about the boy and about your slave girl.  Listen to her, for what will be called your offspring will be through Isaac."  Jehovah assured  Abraham that Hagar and the boy would be provided for.  Faithful Abraham complied. - GENESIS 21:11-14.

Next time: IMITATE THEIR FATH /SARAH - Conclusion of "LISTEN TO HER"

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