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Description

For more notes and resources check out Douglas' website.

Hebrew names:

• Sarai (my princess)
• Sarah (princess)
• By these two forms of her name, she is mentioned 79x in the Bible
• Hagar -- mentioned 15x, in Genesis 16, 21, 25; Galatians 4
• Yishma'el (Ishmael) -- God hears
• Yitskhaq (Isaac) (variant form: Yiskhaq) -- He laughs

Further study:

• Passages mentioned in this study:
  • 1 Peter 3:1-6, 13-15
  • 1 Samuel 15
  • Galatians 3:7
  • Genesis 30:1-2; 1 Samuel 1:5; Genesis 21:6-7
  • Genesis 13:2
  • Exodus 15:22
  • Genesis 18:9; 3:9; 4:9
  • Psalms 113:9; 126:2
  • Hebrews 11:11
• Other:
  • Podcast 4 (Abraham) -- contains much background information and related material
  • Genesis 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 49
  • Isaiah 51:2
  • Romans 4:19, 9:9

Key verses:

• Hebrews 11:11
• 1 Peter 3:6

Some things we learn about God:

• Sometimes his plans just happen to coincide with our selfish preferences.
• He showers his grace even on those fickle in their faith, who occasionally take matters into their own hands.

A basic lesson (suitable for a discussion with children or a family devotional):

1. Sarah was willing to move (Genesis 12). See also notes on Abraham (Podcast 4). Are we willing to do what God says, even if we don't fully understand?
2. Sarah was willing to wait. She waited all the way from Genesis 12, when God made his promise, to Genesis 21, when it came true, about 25 years later! Do we wait patiently for things, or do we insist on having what we want right now?

The next study: Lot.