Mother of Many Nations - Sarah & Infertility

Last week I shared "3 Lessons Learned About Infertility from Father Abraham." I still remember my primary teachers at church, who taught me the story of Abraham and Sarah and their struggles to have a baby. As I've faced struggles with infertility, I've found a lot of strength as I learn about Sarah and her faith throughout her lifetime.

Note: This is the third of many posts about men and women from the scriptures who experienced infertility. Also, you may note that I will use references from The Holy Bible in this post.

Barren - something that is not fertile, such as a desert or a person who cannot bear children.

Barrenness

In the Bible, one of the first things we learn about Sarah is that she is barren, "But Sarai was barren; she had no child." (Genesis 11:30) I cried a little bit inside when I first read this verse because it almost feels that they are calling her out in a shameful way for being barren. However, as I've given it more thought, the author of the book of Genesis wrote much later than the events took place, so I have to wonder if the author was trying to foreshadow the story and the miraculous birth of Issac that would come.

Beautiful

The second thing we learn about Sarah is that she is beautiful. As there was a famine in the land of Canan, Abraham and Sarah traveled down to Egypt, and Abraham asked Sarah to tell the Egyptians that she was his sister so they wouldn't kill him because she was "a fair woman to look upon.", (Genesis 12:11) She was so beautiful and attractive that if the Egyptians found out she was married, they would kill Abraham and take her into the pharaoh's court. At first, it may seem that Abraham asked Sarah to lie, but in Hebrew, the word for sister can also mean "kinswoman" or female relative. As we learn later, Sarah is Abraham's half-sister, "yet indeed she is my sister, she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother, and she became my wife." (Genesis 20:12) In our modern-day culture, marrying your half-sister is taboo, but back then, I guess it must have been normal for them. So I can't judge something in the past based on our cultural beliefs and understanding of today.

Faithful

Since Sarah told the Egyptians that Abraham was her brother, they took her into Pharoh's court. I can only imagine how scary that must have been for Sarah. I think she must have had a lot of faith in God because all of Pharaoh's house gets a plague. Pharaoh must have been able to connect the dots because he then confronts Abraham about it. And lets Sarah return with him to Canaan. A similar occurrence happens later with King Abimelech in Genesis 20, where Sarah is again preserved by God, presumably due to her faith.

Princess

I find it interesting that the Egyptians take Sarah into Pharaoh's court because Sarai in Hebrew means "princess." We know that God changed Abram's name, which in Hebrew means "exalted father," to Abraham, which means "father of many nations." At the same time, God changes Sarai to Sarah, which given our understanding of Hebrew, both names mean "princess." Because of the significance of Abraham's name change, I think there is a deeper meaning that we don't understand for Sarah's name. Perhaps, it could mean she was a princess/mother of many nations. (Genesis 17:16) Or my favorite thought is that she is not just a princess, but a Daughter of God, with the rights and privileges that come with that blessing in eternity if she remains faithful.

I love the thought that Sarah means princess or royalty. God tells Abraham that "kings of people shall be of her." (Genesis 17:16) The King of kings, the Prince of Peace, and our Savior, Jesus Christ, come through Sarah and Abraham's lineage. Because of their faithful covenant-keeping, Jesus Christ was born. Jesus Christ has redeemed us from our sins and suffered our pains and sorrows. Because of him, all injustices we endure in this life will one day be set right.

Imperfect

As I have been studying this story, something that has helped me feel a connection to Sarah is her imperfections. As I've gone through infertility, I've felt jealousy, and I've also felt skeptical at times. We are all human beings and make mistakes. I know Sarah was an incredible woman, but seeing her flaws helps make her seem more real.

Jealousy

As Sarah gave her maidservant Hagar as a second wife to Abraham, I think she had good intentions. She wanted to see Abraham become a father, even by giving her handmaid as a "surrogate." However, when Hagar conceived right away, she was upset and "dealt hardly with her." (Genesis 16:6) I can only imagine what Sarah felt at this point; she had been infertile for over ten years. To have her maidservant get pregnant right away must have hurt deeply. Sarah must have been able to patch things up because Hagar returns and dwells with them until Ishmael is a teenager.

Skeptical

After 23+ years of infertility, Abraham and Sarah receive unique visitors. The Bible describes three holy men who come to visit. Abraham gives them a big feast. Sarah is by the tent door when she overhears the visitors telling Abraham that she is going to "have a son." (Genesis 18:10). "Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?" (Genesis 18:12) I would have been skeptical if I were in Sarah's place too. She was 90 years old, and Abraham was 99. Not only that, but "it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women." (Genesis 18:11) Based on her 23+ years of infertility and now post-menopausal, being a mother was probably not something she considered a possibility.

"Is anything too hard for the Lord?" (Genesis 18:14)

As prophesied by the holy messengers, Sarah did conceive a son. Despite the challenges, Isaac was a miracle promised by God to Abraham and Sarah. All the sorrows that Sarah faced in her 25+ years of infertility eventually were replaced with joy and laughter, "God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me." (Genesis 21:6). In Hebrew, Isaac means "laughter."

Takeaways

I hope that as you have learned about Sarah, you have found strength as you face your struggles and have seen that nothing is too hard for God. Last week when I shared "3 Lessons Learned About Infertility from Father Abraham," I talked about the importance of "seeking and expecting miracles." I know God loves us and desires to bless us with the miracles that we need.

What miracles have you seen in your life? What is your favorite miracle found in the scriptures?