Sarai: A Joy In Our Journey Book Review!

A Joy In Our Journey Book Review  ~  Sarai: A Novel

      Sarai, the last child of her aged father, is beautiful, spoiled, and used to getting her own way. Even as a young girl, she is aware of the way men look at her, including her half-brother Abram. When Abram finally requests Sarai's hand, she asks one thing--that he promises never to take another wife as long as she lives. Even her father thinks the demand is restrictive and agrees to the union only if Sarai makes a promise in return--to give Abram a son and heir. Certain she can easily do that, Sarai agrees.

      But as the years stretch on and Sarai's womb remains empty, she becomes desperate to fulfill her end of the bargain--lest Abram decide that he will not fulfill his. To what lengths will Sarai go in her quest to bear a son? And how long will Abram's patience last?

About the author:

     Jill Eileen Smith is the author of the bestselling Michal, Abigail and Bathsheba, all part of "The Wives of King David" series. She has more than twenty years of writing experience, and her writing has garnered acclaim in several contests. Her research into the lives of biblical women has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Old Testament times. Jill lives with her family in southeast Michigan.

My Thoughts:

     To those who love the stories from the Bible–and knowing they are all true–this is a well-written, familiar story with an in-depth meaning that will forever change one’s attitude and intrigue with Sarah and Abraham! We all know the beginning and the outcome of this relationship but filling in the blanks is mainly up to the imagination of an author who can bring out the emotions of trauma and despair, conflict and joy, as the very long-awaited event of Isaac’s birth finally takes place.

      Following one’s dreams can be far, far different than following the commands of an Almighty God, Adonai Elohem. Even completely trusting those commands may still leave great doubts as to whether this is the “right” thing to do. Abraham’s faith in his God seemed to never waver, but he really appreciated that Adonai would periodically reveal Himself and reaffirm His command and promises for a great nation to arise from this one man.

      Sarah’s conflict at believing she is part of the Promise, yet being unable to believe fully that she will ever have a child of her own as the many years flow by, is the prime basis for any woman to relate to her. Infertility was a huge issue in Biblical history and Sarai was miserable with her inability to conceive a child. She could never feel “complete” because of not becoming a mother. She even finally went to the great extreme of giving her Egyptian maid, Hagar, to Abraham so that he could have a son through her. It was a decision she greatly regretted as soon as it was accomplished; it brought a great deal of grief to both women. How it must be for our Lord when we proceed with our own ideas of accomplishing His will!

     Lot and his family also play a huge part in the history of Abraham and Sarah, and their’s is a very sad story which is interwoven throughout this story. Many details are brought in to create a very real (even thousands of years later) picture of what must have happened with these unique families.

      It is difficult to imagine the hardships and disappointments of a people who were once well-settled in their native Ur and then were uprooted by the command of an Almighty God, who lived from then on in tents, traveling the desert, and had to accommodate to many inadequacies. But the rewards for them were dressed in God’s timing, not human clockwork. We all need to remember that we are NOT in control, though we constantly try to be. Hope for a better future is admirable but not always in our best interest. Only God knows our future and all that it takes to get there. He, alone, can be depended on to know what is best for us. This story is such a great illustration of how we can all take part in His great Promises, and how our hopes will be fulfilled as we seek His Presence in everything we do!

Bible Study to accompany Sarai

     The author has made available a free Bible study to accompany this book!  Click here to download it for yourself. 

Discussion Group Questions

     For those of you who are in book groups or book clubs, you may download a free PDF version of discussion questions for your small group! 

 




Julieanne
Joy In Our Journey.com

Disclaimer:  I received one paperback copy of Sarai in exchange for an honest review of this book.  No other compensation was provided.

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