Congregation Bible Study (30 mins.) wcg chap. 3.
Analysis of Chapter 2. Sara: She didn't want to look back
What would I say?
In what ways did Sara demonstrate courage?
Sarah showed courage by obeying Jehovah and supporting Abraham when they had to leave Ur to live as foreigners in an unfamiliar land. She gave up the security and comforts of a large city to live in tents.
She was also courageous in not insisting on returning to Ur when they faced difficulties, such as the famine in Canaan. Furthermore, she showed courage and loyalty when she was taken to Pharaoh's palace, remaining faithful to Abraham and trusting that Jehovah would protect them.
Investigate a little more
1. Was it right for Sarah to marry Abraham even though he was her half-brother? (wp17.3 12 par. 5, footnote).
Although Sarah was Abraham's half-sister, at that time their marriage was not wrong in Jehovah's eyes. Humanity was still closer to the perfection that Adam and Eve had lost, so unions between close relatives did not pose the same genetic risks that exist today.
It was approximately four hundred years later that Mosaic Law prohibited relationships and marriages between close relatives. Therefore, the marriage of Sarah and Abraham was acceptable in the time in which they lived.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
At that time the Mosaic Law did not yet exist, which later prohibited marriage between half-siblings, as indicated in Leviticus 18:9. Therefore, the marriage of Sarah and Abraham did not go against any of Jehovah's laws and was fully acceptable.
2. What things did Sarah perhaps have to leave behind when she left Ur? (wp17.3 13, 14).
Sara likely left behind a comfortable house with a yard, access to water, and other amenities typical of a major city. She also left behind the protection of the city walls and guards, the closeness of her family and friends, and the advantages of trade and a stable life. In return, she accepted living in tents and leading a nomadic life.
3. How do we know that Abraham acted rightly when he concealed that Sarah was his wife? (wp17.3 14, 15).
We know that he acted rightly because he was not lying: Sarah really was his half-sister, as Genesis 20:12 shows. Furthermore, Abraham acted in faith to protect the life that Jehovah would use to fulfill his promises. Jehovah did not rebuke Abraham for this decision; on the contrary, he intervened to protect Sarah and punished Pharaoh until he returned her to her husband, thus demonstrating his approval and protection.
4. Although Sarah respected Abraham's authority, does that mean that she never expressed her opinion even if it was different? (g 1/08 29 pars. 4, 5).
Sarah deeply respected Abraham's authority, but that didn't mean she remained silent when she had a different opinion. She expressed her feelings and concerns respectfully and frankly.
One example is when Sarah asked Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away to protect Isaac’s future. Jehovah confirmed that on that occasion, Abraham should listen to Sarah’s voice, as recorded at Genesis 21:9-12. This shows that a mate can express his or her opinion respectfully while still acknowledging Jehovah’s established authority.
Think about the lessons
Compare Sarah to Lot's wife.
How were they alike? (Gen. 12:1; 13:5-7; 19:12, 15).
Sarah and Lot's wife were similar in that they both left their homes at Jehovah's command. Both lived with men who obeyed God and had to leave a familiar place for a new one. Furthermore, both witnessed Jehovah intervening to protect his servants.
How did they differ? (Gen. 19:17, 26; Luke 17:28-32).
The main difference was their attitude. Sarah trusted in Jehovah, supported Abraham, and never wanted to return to the comfortable life she had left in Ur. In contrast, Lot’s wife disobeyed Jehovah’s instruction by looking back, showing that her heart was still attached to what she had left behind. Jesus used her example as a warning when he said: “Remember Lot’s wife,” as recorded at Luke 17:32.
What do we learn from the decisions they made and what happened to each of them?
We learn that our decisions reveal where our heart is. Sarah was blessed because she put Jehovah first and did not allow the desire for a more comfortable life to weaken her faith.
In contrast, Lot's wife lost her life because she allowed her attachment to material things and her former way of life to be stronger than her obedience to Jehovah.
Sarah was very beautiful and her husband was very rich. What can we learn from her if our situation is similar to hers? (Prov. 31:30; 1 Tim. 6:17-19).
Sarah did not put her trust in her beauty or in Abraham’s wealth. She maintained a humble attitude and used her blessings to serve Jehovah. Whether we have beauty, financial resources, or a good position, we should remember that true worth lies in fearing Jehovah and using what we have to do good and be generous, not in trusting in riches or seeking prestige.
In what ways can you copy Sara's example of courage?
We can imitate Sarah by trusting fully in Jehovah when we face changes or difficulties, supporting decisions based on Bible principles, being loyal to Jehovah and our family, accepting sacrifices for true worship, and avoiding longing for a life centered on material comforts.
See the full chart
What does this account teach me about Jehovah?
This account teaches me that Jehovah rewards faith, obedience, and courage. He cares for those who trust in him, strengthens them in trials, and fulfills all his promises at the right time. It also shows that Jehovah can protect his servants even in very dangerous situations.
How does this account relate to Jehovah's purpose and the main theme of the Bible?
The account shows how Jehovah protected Abraham and Sarah because through them he would fulfill his promise to raise up a great nation and, ultimately, bring forth the Messiah. This contributes to Jehovah’s purpose of vindicating his sovereignty and blessing mankind through the promised Seed.
What would I like to ask Sara when she is resurrected?
I would like to ask you how you strengthened your faith to leave behind so many comforts and trust fully in Jehovah during so many years of living as a foreigner. I would also like to know how you felt when Isaac was born and you saw the fulfillment of the promise Jehovah had made to you.
Comments
Post a Comment