In The Beginning
In reading the chapter entitled "In The Beginning" I discovered many interesting events that took place. I will attempt to explore the roles of the Genesis matriarchs which include Sarah, Hagar, Rebekah, Leah, and Rachel. Also I will compare their stories with those of Lot's wife and daughters, Jacob's daughter Dinah, and Potiphar's wife.
First, lets take a closer look at Sarah who is the wife of Abraham. Here we see a woman who is a devoted mate and concerned with fulfilling God's prophecies. It had been a known fact that Sarah has been found barren and had reached a very old age. Sarah had wanted so desperately to give her husband a child but could not. Sarah had suggested that her husband lie down with her slave servant and allow her to have a child. So the maidservant and Sarah's husband conceived a child together.
Hagar was the Egyptian servant who had bore Abrahams first son Ishmael. Since the conception of her child it seemed as if Sarah was a bit jealous of the slave. This was evident by the way Sarah had begun treating Hagar and her child. Sarah demanded that her husband Abraham send them away. Why had God allowed this treatment toward Hagar to occur when she only was being obedient to Sarah's wishes? It seemed later that Sarah was able to conceive and also had a boy. At this point Sarah wanted nothing else to do with Hagar and her child indefinitely. She was filled with pride and was trying to protect her son's inheritance.
Rebekah was a beautiful young woman and ultimately became Issac's wife. It seem that Rebekah like Sarah was thought to have been barren. It took years for her to conceive any children. Finally God's will allowed Rebekah to give birth to twin boys. Rebekah love fo ...