Sarah Sept. 15

Ladies Bible Study Sept. 15

We began with prayer for Jackson- a small boy that developed muscle control problems that are life risking,  Bill (Donna’s son)- for the surgery he needs for the problem in his brain, and for a couple in Shera’s family and the loss of a baby in the womb.  We asked the Lord to bless the meeting and to guide us as we have our study today.

We begin on p. 20 question #4 reading Genesis 16:6-16

In what ways did God extend mercy to Hagar?  God was aware of her, even before this moment.  She is learning about God and his mercy.  She was in a place where she shouldn’t have been, but God didn’t leave her there. He corrected her and then gave her a hope and a promise.  He sent her back to be under another’s authority. 

God can lift you from the “muck” of this life and set you on the right path.  It is God’s restoration of Hagar and shows his love and mercy, and his command to her to return.  God named her son, but how did Abram know to name his son Ishmael?  How precious for her to see this promise fulfilled.  It had to be humbling to her.  God never promised easier times, but only that she needed to return and that she would continue to be a servant.  But through her son’s name she would be reminded daily that God gave her a promise. 

Like Moses, who killed an Egyptian and had to return years later to Egypt to face that sin.  When he returned, he went there with God. 
Hagar was brought to a relationship with God and then returned to the servitude she had in her life.  Like Moses, she had to face a difficult time and continue.

The years that these people spent together resulted in the nations that we have today, all a result of the relationships of Abram.  The words spoken by God still hold true today – Genesis 6:12

“He will be a wild donkey of a man, His hand will be against everyone, and everyone’s hand will be against him; and he will live to the east of all his brothers.”

The influence of the world is all around us and we need to continue to be God’s light in the world, praying for God’s direction. The first time Hagar left she may have felt she could return, but the second time she left she was sent away and felt she couldn’t return.  It is in those moments that we are completely “lost” that God rescues us completely.  We need to place our entire focus on our Lord.

God restored the family through the situations they had to journey through.  God had a purpose in his direction.

Question #5 Genesis 17:1 Why did God reveal himself to Abram as El Shaddai- Almighty God?

Because God was preparing to do mighty things within and through Abraham, God stressed his power.  You will know me as the all sufficient God.  Abraham means father of a multitude. They would be heading into a new journey or direction in their lives.  They would see God’s hand on their life.  Prepare yourself and your family for what is ahead…… at ninety-nine.  

We shouldn’t limit ourselves because of our age. As long as we are here and have breath God will use us for his will and his plan.  It is His direction and leading. 

Question #6 Genesis 17:19; 21:1-7 – Why did Sarah name her son Isaac which meant laughter?

In Genesis 17- he was named by God, so it wasn't Sarah that named Isaac. This question may have been worded incorrectly, but we know the texts that we have been looking at. We know what it says, we need to be careful in our wording and focus in God’s word. This study leads us into deeper study of God’s word and the phrasing of questions.

We are laughing with Sarah to this day!  We can imagine the talk that went on within the tents around them, but in the end God blessed them with the child.  People must have known that God’s hand was upon this pregnancy and birth, they were a testimony of God’s almighty power and authority over life.  They must have rejoiced with them over the miracle of this child, strengthening the relationship of many with the LORD.

We worry today how a forty year old may have difficulty delivering their child. They lived in a time where there were stillbirths and complications.  Once again they would have to rely upon their Lord. The stillborn child in Shera’s family made her remember how David felt after the birth of his firstborn.  She was able to share this with the father and give them a hope for a peace from God.

Question #7 Galatians 4:24-30.  What did Paul teach to the Galatians using the examples of Sarah, Isaac, Hagar, and Ishmael?

Paul uses the expulsion of Hagar as the conflict between law and grace.   Hagar represents the bondage to sin but Sarah represents freedom in Christ- Born of God.  We may struggle for our lifetime, but the promise will come.  It is our focus that is so important.  Are we focused on the things of the world, the flesh? Or are we looking to God and his promises? 

Question #8 1 Peter3:4-6

Sarah trusted God and moved forward, Sarah counted God faithful.

Jesus in the gospels rebuked wavering weak faith.  God rebukes our wavering but pulls us to him.  Sarah was the epitome of faithful women, faithful in God’s eyes.  We can look at Sarah and how her life relates to us, what we can learn from her.

Praise God for his word and his promises.  We are all learning to trust God as we walk our path through life.