The book of Genesis, in the Bible, tells that the prophet, Abraham, was originally named Abram, and Sarah, his wife, originally Sarai. God told Abram to leave his country, Ur, and He would show them the way towards the land of Canaan, where he would be blessed by God. As they traveled in Canaan, they came upon a famine, so Abram and Sarai continued southward to Egypt. But Abram feared that, because his wife was beautiful, he would be killed, and she would be taken by the princes to Pharaoh. At this trying time, they devised a plan to pass her off as his sister. When they arrived in Egypt, they were, indeed, separated. Abram was treated well because they believed him to be her brother but Sarai was taken away to the palace of Pharaoh. So, God sent plagues to afflict Pharaoh’s household. It was then that they were discovered to be a married couple. Pharaoh was angry and sent them away, out of Egypt, where they returned to Canaan.
Abram and Sarai were devoted to each other and they, like other devoted couples, were in search of a chance at the happy life of faith and family. God had previously promised Abram an everlasting seed, which would become a great nation, blessing the entire earth. Because of Abram’s great faith, he believed God, but wondered how he would have a child, since Sarai was barren. God reiterated that he would create a covenant with him but, thus far, the means by which this covenant would be established had remained vague. So, as was customary of the time, Sarai gave her handmaiden to Abram, that she might have children by Hagar, the handmaid. Hagar gave birth to Ishmael; then an angel pronounced to her that Ishmael’s seed would be multiplied exceedingly but that he would be a wild man, who would fight against every man and every man against him. Nevertheless, he would dwell among the brotherhood of men.
Finally, at last, when Abram and Sarai were both very old, in Genesis 17, God revealed the terms of His covenant to Abram, changing his name to Abraham, as a symbol of committed renewal that would result from this covenant into which he was entering. He also told Abraham that his wife, Sarai, would have her name changed to Sarah, symbolic of her renewal and inclusion within the covenant. The promises and guarantees made to them are detailed in the book, Heaven Heals (By Understanding Abraham’s Covenant). One of the promises discussed, is that of an everlasting seed, or an eternal family. God declared that Sarah and Abraham’s son, Isaac, would be born to Sarah within the next year, and their covenant would be established and fulfilled through him.
One of the reasons God’s covenant with Sarah and Abraham is as confusing as it is, is that the scriptural documentation is scattered throughout many different chapters and verses. But the promises of the covenant unfold in a fascinating fashion, as the Heaven Heals (By Understanding Abraham’s Covenant) book compiles the dispersed documentation into a consolidated study of God’s covenental terms and conditions with Sarah and Abraham, and the significance and relationship those terms have to all God’s children. God has an incredible plan but, as each person struggles through the thorns and weeds of life, it requires hope and faith to uncover, step by step, the unique plan He has for everyone. Learning to trust and depend on God, praying for guidance and assistance to understand His ways and decipher each’s individual journey, is a lifelong pursuit, with much drama, heartbreak, and disappointment, as well as, many delightful joys and celebrations along the path. Ultimately, magnificent rewards are gained in the end, just as with Sarah and Abraham.