"LISTEN TO HER"

After 90 years of age, Sarah finally got to relish the moment she had longed for all her adult life. She bore a son of 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 about Sarah "kept noticing" a troubling pattern of behavior. Ishmael, the 19-year-old son of Hagar, kept mocking Isaac. This not was not mere playful teasing. The apostle Paul 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 a key role in Jehovah's purpose. So she mustered up courage to speak forthrightly to Abraham. She asked him to send Hagar and Ishmael away. - GENESIS 21:8-10; GALATIANS 4:22, 23, 29. 

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