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Women in the Bible
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Lesson Thirty-nine: by turtle
One might laugh event today at the thought of a woman of the age ninety having a baby. I
think boy how hard it would be to raise a child at that age. Can you even imagine trying to
keep up with a child at that age. That is when I think I want a nanny. Abraham had laughed,
and Sarah had laughed at the prospect of having a child at that age. I do not doubt it
sounded impossible to them. It even sounds more amazing to us for our life span today is
about 75 or 80 roughly. Yet we do hear where people live to be 100 and up. I have known a
few myself. To live that old is a blessing. For each day of life is a joy to behold.
God enabled Sarah to conceive. The word in the first verse in our lesson throws a lot of
skeptics. The word is the word did. Did unto Sarah. Did hear means to make possible or to
enable.
Genesis 21:1 KJV
(1) And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had
spoken.
God can enable us to do many things. Even conceive a child. After all God created us for His
glory and honor. He can enable us to do his will especially when the task seems impossible.
God’s miracles are not about our ability but about God’s ability. No way can something
happen, then the miracle worker is needed. The Miracle worker is God. God made a way
through his Son Jesus Christ to save us from our sins. Jesus was our miracle for salvation.
Genesis 21:2-3 KJV
(2) For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which
God had spoken to him.
(3) And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to
him, Isaac.
The name Isaac means laughter. Already the thought of Isaac had brought laughter, but he
would also bring joy to his parents. Every child brings joy.
Genesis 21:4-7 KJV
(4) And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded
him.
(5) And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him.
(6) And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.
(7) And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given
children suck? for I have born him a son in his old age.
Abraham obeyed God and circumcised his baby boy after eight days old. This command we
talked about in previous lessons. Circumcision was a sign of faith between God and
Abraham. This would be a testimony for generation to come that one would need faith in
God and to be obedient to God. Today doctors recommend it for health reasons to us
gentiles. And there are health benefits to it.
Faith in God is essential. It took faith to believe that God would give Abraham and Sarah a
child. Yet they did believe though they laughed. Our first reaction to what God speaks to our
hearts is sometimes unbelievable. Yet we need to trust God in all things.
Genesis 21:8-13 KJV
(8) And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast the same day that
Isaac was weaned.
(9) And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham,
mocking.
(10) Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son
of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac.
(11) And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because of his son.
(12) And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and
because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for
in Isaac shall thy seed be called.
(13) And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed.
The child grew and was weaned off of breast. They had a celebration for Isaac no longer need
his mother milk. Hagar was making fun of the celebration and for this it causes Sarah to get
angry and ask Abraham to get rid of her. God tells Abraham to listen to his wife. I be
truthful it hard enough for most men to deal with one woman let alone two.
Abraham offspring would come from the line of Isaac, yet Ishmael would have a large tribe
too. We must remember the promise of the Messiah in chapter 12 of Genesis.
Genesis 12:3 KJV
(3) And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall
all families of the earth be blessed.
The blessing would come through Isaac line, not from Ishmael line. Yet we must remember
Ishmael were believers too. All nations would be blessed through Isaac line. No exceptions.
Anyone that would believe in Jesus Christ, who is the sacrifice for us. He paid the price that
all people might be saved. We just got to believe.
We discussed Hagar plight in another chapter and God provision for Hagar in the
wilderness. God provides for His children no matter who they are. He cares for each of us.
God could not choose every nation to bring in the promise of salvation. He choose Abraham
based on faith. If you want to see miracles in your life time you will need faith in Jesus
Christ. Start believing today.
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