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Sarah: Obey Your Wife

Sarah: Obey Your Wife

Last updated on: July 25, 2023 at 12:23 pm by Rebecca Wallace Keene

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Sarah: Obey Your Wife 2023-07-25T12:23:39-04:00 Rebecca Wallace Keene

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Sarah: Obey Your Wife Created with Bing Image Creator BY: Rebecca Keene

Sarah: Obey Your Wife

Sarah, the mother of our faith, was a strong and stubborn woman. Such women are often demonized in religious communities. However, G-d shows us in Sarah’s story that he appreciates a strong woman. In fact, G-d tells Abraham obey your wife, Sarah.

Sarah Doesn’t Beleive G-d

The story begins with G-d making a promise to Abraham to give him and Sarah a child. Sarah being the stubborn woman she is, does not believe that she can conceive a child in her old age. Sarah tells Abraham to go into her handmaid since she herself is too old to conceive. Abraham obeys his wife and goes into Hagar, who becomes pregnant. We might expect to see Sarah get killed for doubting G-d’s word, but G-d doesn’t punish Sarah at all.

Surprise! G-d Always Keeps His Promises

G-d always keeps his promise, so Sarah becomes pregnant too. Sarah says that Hagar has become angry with her and she tells Abraham this is his fault. As the two children grow Sarah becomes fearful of Hagar’s child Ishmael inheriting alongside her son, Issac. So, Sarah tells Abraham to cast Ishmael and his mother out into the desert.

Sometimes, men think they can’t listen to their wife, because she is being crazy or emotional. No woman has ever been as emotionally driven and “crazy” as Sarah is in this story. She didn’t believe G-d. Then she told Abraham to have sex with her handmaid. Then she blamed him for the consequences. Finally, she told him to cast out the child she had told him to conceive and let it die. She is completely irrational.

Obey Your Wife

The text tells us Abraham was disturbed by this, for the sake of his son. He did not want to throw out his child. This was no small matter. Sarah was basically asking him to kill his child. Yet, as irrational as Sarah sounds, G-d tells Abraham “Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Issac that your offspring will be reckoned.” Too often, men forget that their greatest blessing comes through their wives. G-d reminded Abraham to obey his wife, Sarah, because obeying your wife is what brings blessings.

In the end, G-d also saved Hagar and Ishmael. G-d always has a plan to make things turn out for good. Therefore, when you find yourself trying to make a decision about listening to your wife or doing what seems logical, remember what G-d told Abraham and obey your wife. Through her will come your greatest blessing, and G-d will work out the rest for your good.

This story teaches us that G-d values a strong woman. He values marriage and family. This story teaches us that a man should also value his marriage and family above all else. Sarah’s story assures us that a husband should harken to the sound of his wife’s voice. The founders of our faith had a marriage where the strong, emotionally charged, irrational woman was in charge, and G-d said that it was good.

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About Rebecca Keene

The author, Rebecca Keene, has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Religion. She graduated from the University of Pikeville as Religion Honor Student in 2014. Currently, she is studying for a MA in Women, Gender, Spirituality, and Social Justice at the California Institute of Integral Studies. Also, Rebecca is the author of FAITH UNDER THE RAINBOW: RECLAIMING THE TRUTH ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY AND THE BIBLE. In addition, she founded and independently runs the social media community, Reclaiming the Truth. Therefore, you should visit Rebecca's author page and purchase her books at: Amazon Author Page or: Publication Page Rebecca is currently in her 3rd year of Kabbalah study. She is ordained to perform LGBT weddings and is certified in Hypnotherapy. Rebecca lives in Kentucky with her two adult children. She practices Non-Denominational Judaism. She is passionate about social justice and fiercely advocates for the marginalized in society and religion. When not with her children or writing, Rebecca enjoys spending time in nature, with G-d, or in a good book. She also enjoys making and selling art which you can find at Art by Rebecca. Author, Rebecca Keene, is always happy to hear from readers. You may contact her through the Reclaiming the Truth page on Facebook, or you can email [email protected] Rebecca will try to answer all correspondence, but please be patient, as life is busy for us all. You can read more about the author here.

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