When was the last time you stood in a room and shouted, felt and expressed that you were confused?
In this latest ‘insight from the bible’ I want to present it in two parts as a ‘journey of faith’ that moves from ‘confusion to clarity’. Firstly, Sarai which in Hebrew means ‘princes.’ During her long and full life she would have experienced lots of confusion. Secondly, the experience of the wise men in the Christmas story.
For a moment think about those times when decisions are made, a pathway is chosen and feelings are expressed? In periods of confusion, a lack of clarity often grips us to an extent that we do not know what we should say, do or how to act.
In Genesis 11 v 29 – 30 we note that Abram, a descendant of Terah, had a wife called Sarai who was his half-sister and was unable to have children. Together they journeyed from Ur of the Chaldees and settled for a while in Harran. A famine struck the land so they travelled to Egypt to find food and shelter.
In Genesis 12 we read of Abram arriving in Egypt but he didn’t present Sarai as his wife for fear of being killed. He introduced her as his sister hoping that his life would be spared. Pharaoh the King of Egypt liked Sarai and included her into his harem. Pharaoh then realised that Abram and Sarai were married and to amend his actions he gave Abram a gift that increased his wealth and then they journeyed on as far as Bethel.
In Genesis 16 Sarai must have felt sad in not being able to have a child. As an act of ‘understanding’ she suggested that Abram take Hagar, their Egyptian maid, in the hope that she would provide an heir for Abram.
In the proceeding chapters Sarai must have felt somewhat confused. Hagar gave birth to Ishmael. The relationship with Hagar changed and she left, only to return after the Angel had spoken to her. In chapter 17 v 16 – 17 the Lord decided to honour Sarai by changing her name to Sarah and granting her a child in old age and would be known as the ‘mother of nations.’ Abram’s name was also changed to Abraham as an act of significant blessing. As foretold by the Angel, Sarah gave birth to Isaac and when he had been weaned Sarah noted that Ishmael was mocking Isaac and so in her anger she expelled Hagar and Ishmael from their home.
In Genesis 20 Abraham once again presented Sarah as his sister when they entered into the court of King Abimelech of Gerar. The King was told in a vision that they were married and he showed contrition by compensating Abraham which further increased his wealth.
At the age of one hundred and twenty seven Sarah died and was buried in a cave in the region around Hebron. (Genesis 27)
In concluding the life of Sarah she acts as an example of faith to many as found in Hebrews 11 v 11, Sarah received strength to conceive and was considered faithful. Then in 1 Peter 3 v 6 Sarah is seen as an example of a loving wife to her husband.
For a moment may we consider Psalm 32 which is a powerful psalm of confession and forgiveness? In verses 7 and 8 we are reminded that God’s presence can surround us when confusion and discouragement abound. After verse 7 we have the refrain Selah which in the Amplified Bible suggests that we ‘pause and think calmly of that which has just been said.’
In confusion we may feel that clarity is impossible to attain. Paralysis takes hold of us and it feels like life has stopped even when we are busy and have lots of responsibility?
In verse 8 we have a promise that Sarah would have appreciated: ‘The Lord will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.’ to bring clarity in the midst of confusion. Pause.
God see’s our confusion and wants to bring clarity to our situation. Hope without seeing enables us to embrace faith. Faith brings clarity to confusion and doubt. Without the Lord’s help we will not appreciate the light that clarity brings in the midst of confusion.
Graham
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