Sarai/Sarah is a very important person in God’s purposes. His plan to have a nation that belonged to Him depended on her. The name Sarai carries the idea of “chieftain” or “woman of importance (i.e. Princess). The difference between Sarai and Sarah is simply a personal one – so from “princess” to “my princess” – or maybe “My Queen”.
I cannot find anything on the internet that might provide a visual aid to her life. You can search for yourself. I do recommend that you take this enforced time of isolation to study her life.
Sarah is a key figure in Abraham’s life and is also mentioned several times in the New Testament.
Here are some main points about her:
- Jewish scholars suggest she was Abraham’s cousin rather than half-sister. Her connection is via Abraham’s brother Haran – either a daughter or granddaughter.
- Sarai needed faith in God as much as Abraham. She obeyed her husband in his journey of faith.
- Her “fault” was in trying to rush God into fulfilling His promise of a son.
- She laughed at the idea of being a mother in mature years. Isaac means “laughter”. It seems that Sarah doubted that God could overcome the limits of human fertility.
- Sarah had to cope with Abraham’s mysterious journey with Isaac. Maybe her heart guessed at what might happen.
- Having a child in mature years (90) may have weakened her and brought her to an early death. She died aged 127 years. People seemed to live longer back then. Abraham lived to 175 years old.
- In their lives together Sarah had to cope with her husband’s lying about her – saying she was his sister not his wife. This must have been very difficult for her faith and integrity.Sarah was a woman of FAITH just like Abraham
Sarah was a woman of COURAGE
- Facing the unknown
- Bearing a child in mature years
- Coping with her husband’s weakness
Sarah was a woman of VISION
- But, perhaps, went too far when she took it into her own hands to get God’s work done
Sarah was a woman able to be a PARTNER/FRIEND in marriage
- She was submissive but not subordinated to Abraham
One more thing to consider:
Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, Manoah’s wife, Hanna and Elizabeth are all described as barren.
In order, they gave birth to Isaac, Jacob (and Esau), Joseph, Samson, Samuel and John the Baptist.
These women were all part of God’s great purpose and exercised the kind of faith Mary showed when she said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” (Luke 1:38)
Faithful, godly women have been central to God’s purposes. The difficult circumstances they were called to endure brought glory to God. In each case, their longing for a child reflects the promise of God to Eve. The seed of the woman will deal with the enemies – Satan, Sin and Death. Prophecy echoes this. The birth of the Messiah, Jesus. The birth of the sons of God through Jesus Christ. The fulfilment of God’s purposes is described as a childbirth (see Revelation Chapter 12).
The whole point is God our HOPE. Sarah was given HOPE.
Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old? Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son. Genesis 18:12-14
Here the word pleasure is better translated – JOY. She questioned the possibility of being a mother – but when God spoke to her faith was planted.
Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh. Genesis 18:15
She named her son, Isaac = laughter. Not some kind of amusement at God’s promise but in a triumphant laugh against doubt and fear.
See Psalm 2