Sarah’s longing

Laura Digan September 07, 2022 0 1

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Genesis 18: 1-15 (NRSVA)

1 The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. 2 He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground. 3 He said, ‘My lord, if I find favour with you, do not pass by your servant. 4 Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. 5 Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.’ So they said, ‘Do as you have said.’ 6 And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, ‘Make ready quickly three measures of choice flour, knead it, and make cakes.’ 7 Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it. 8 Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate.

9 They said to him, ‘Where is your wife Sarah?’ And he said, ‘There, in the tent.’ 10 Then one said, ‘I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son.’ And Sarah was listening at the tent entrance behind him. 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, ‘After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I have pleasure?’ 13 The Lord said to Abraham, ‘Why did Sarah laugh, and say, “Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?” 14 Is anything too wonderful for the Lord? At the set time I will return to you, in due season, and Sarah shall have a son.’ 15 But Sarah denied, saying, ‘I did not laugh’; for she was afraid. He said, ‘Oh yes, you did laugh.’

Reader note: This week Laura takes us through the story of Abraham, Sarah and Hagar with some hard-hitting monologues and reflections that explore some darker and more sensitive themes of the stories of these complex characters.

SARAH: “We have a good life, Abraham and I. Abraham has wealth, plenty of animals, a large household. We will never go hungry again. We have a good relationship.

The only thing that is missing is a child. A child of our own flesh and blood.

How I’ve longed for a child. It was my heart’s desire to give Abraham a child, a son.

But it wasn’t to be.

I am barren.

I am an old woman now.

I’ve been trying to settle myself to the fact it is never going to happen for me, to face reality.

God had promised that this land, the land of Canaan, would belong to Abraham’s descendants. Abraham is now a father, he has Ishmael. And how it torments me to see him delight in this son of his.

But still I wish for the impossible. And God still plays with my heart. Toying with me saying that I will be a mother to Abraham’s son. I will be a mother to a nation. Even giving us a name to call this child, Isaac. God has made a promise.

God has said that I will have this child by next year.

It has been so long in coming

So long that it feels like my heart and my faith has dried up to dust.

And now these men, these guests at our tent, make the same claim. That this time next year I’ll have a son.

What a joke. A cruel trick to play on me.

And the Lord knows that I laughed. That I dismissed his promises.

Is there anything too hard for the Lord?

Can it be true, is he now going to grant me my greatest wish, my deepest desire. Is he going to put my heart back together again and fill me with life?

Can I really believe it?

Do I dare to hope?”

PRAYER:

Almighty God,

Creator of heaven and earth

Nothing is impossible for you.

Help us to trust in the promises that you have made to us

Give us patience to keep faithful when your time is not our time

Knowing that you will act in us and through us when the time is right.

Amen

ACTION:

Pick one issue affecting the world that causes you real pain. Pray on this daily, asking God for patience, understanding and insight to what can be done to bring about breakthrough and change.