21st December 2022

A Change of Name

Then God said: “No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son,

and you shall call his name Isaac; I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his descendants after him.

Genesis 17:19.

Today, I want us to consider someone who is not named in the genealogies of the Lord Jesus: Sarah. When we first meet her, she is called Sarai, which means “princess.” But God made a subtle change to call her Sarah, indicating that she would be the mother of nations and kings.

When God told Abraham these things, he laughed to himself. So did Sarah (Genesis 18:12). But a year later, their laughter was filled with joy. God kept His promise, and Sarah gave birth to a son, Isaac, which means “he laughs.”

This story points back to God’s promise to Eve about the importance of the woman’s offspring. It also points forward, because God said He would establish an everlasting covenant through Isaac. Much later an angel of the Lord appeared to a man named Joseph and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:20-21).

Some people might laugh at this and say, “Impossible!” But the Bible says it is true, and whoever believes in the Lord Jesus will be saved from sin and have eternal life (John 3:16). Put your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ today so that your life may be filled with the joy that He alone can give, anytime.

Read

Genesis 17:15-19 & 21:1-7.

Prayer

Lord, strengthen my faith, and remind me as You did for Abraham and Sarah and for Joseph and Mary that You are always faithful and keep Your ­promises. In Jesus name, Amen.