A Bad Rap

It's a little embarrassing to admit, but I've never held a very high opinion of Sarah, Abraham's Sarah. Upon reflection, it must come from the numerous sermons and lessons that have seemed to point toward things Sarah did like laugh in the tent when God said she'd have a son in her old age. When confronted about it, she lied.

When Abraham asked her to deceive others by telling everyone she was merely his sister (which was a half truth: they were actually brother and sister through their father, but he was asking her to conceal their marriage), she consistently communicated she was his sister. The choice that stands out most of course is when she took Hagar to Abraham trying to have a son through her. None of these things are a shining example of godly character, but they don't tell the whole story of who she was or more importantly, what God thought (and thinks) of her. 

In our ladies Bible study lesson this week, we completed a character study of Sarah. What might there be to learn from her about godly character? What example has she given that we would want to emulate?

God tells us in Hebrews 11 and I Peter 3. In Hebrews 11, we see Sarah was commended by God because she believed He would be faithful to His promise that she'd bear a son. In I Peter 3, we see Sarah was commended by God because she was a woman who had a gentle and quiet spirit and was submissive to her husband.

It may have taken a while for Sarah to trust God for what He promised, but she did trust Him to be faithful. Although Sarah was deceptive by saying she was merely Abraham's sister, she did so at the direction of her husband, submitting to him even as he chose wrongly. We see in Scripture that God protected her in more than one situation that came about due to the deception. She submitted to her husband; God protected her. 

These aspects of Sarah's character are worth emulating. God made His perspective clear: a woman with a gentle and quiet spirit is precious in His sight. May we all strive to be that kind of woman.