MOTHER OF THE JEWISH NATION
Genesis 17: 15 – 18: 1-15
Sarai (Hebrew: שָׂרָי, Modern Sarī Tiberian Śāray), was the wife of Abraham and his half-sister (two different mothers). She was approximately ten years younger than her husband, and the mother of Isaac.
According to Genesis 17:15, God changed her name to Sarah as part of a covenant after Hagar bore Abraham his first son, Ishmael. The Hebrew name Sarah indicates a woman of high rank and is translated as "princess" or "noblewoman".
She was considered beautiful to the point that Abraham feared that when they were near more powerful rulers she would be taken away and given to another man. Twice he purposely identified her as being his sister so that he would be "treated well" for her sake.
Departure from Ur
The LORD had told Abram to leave his country and his father's house for a land that he would show him, promising to make of him a great nation, bless him, make his name great, bless those who blessed him, and curse "him" that curses him.[9] Following God's command, Abram took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and the wealth and persons that they had acquired, and traveled to Shechem in Canaan. Abram was 75 at this time.[10]
Pharaoh's harem
There was a severe famine in the land of Canaan, so that Abram and Lot and their households, travelled south to Egypt. On the journey to Egypt, Abram instructed Sarai to identify herself only as his sister, fearing that the Egyptians would kill him in order to take his wife, saying, "I know what a beautiful woman you are. When the Egyptians see you, they will say, 'this is his wife.' Then they will kill me but will let you live. Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you." When brought before Pharaoh, Sarai said that Abram was her brother, and the king thereupon took her into his palace and bestowed upon the latter many presents and marks of distinction. It is possible that Sarai acquired her Egyptian handmaid Hagar during this stay. However, God afflicted Pharaoh's household with great plagues. Pharaoh then realized that Sarai was Abram's wife and demanded that they leave Egypt immediately.
In Genesis 17:15 Since both names mean "Princess", Sarai’s name was changed to Sarah served to bring her into the covenant in her own right.
17:17 Abraham…laughed because all of this was incredible. His laughter is somewhat ironic in that Isaac means "Laughter."
18:9-15 Abraham earlier had and now Sarah laughs also. God’s harsher reaction with her (see 17:19) indicates that Sarah was in persistent unbelief, not mere astonishment.
In Christ,
Janet Irene Thomas
Playwright/Screen Writer/Director
Published Author/Gospel Lyricist &Producer
FOUNDER/CEO
Bible Stories Theatre of
Fine & Performing Arts
No comments:
Post a Comment