Note from the Author

In Sarai’s story, Sarai and Melah lived in similar circumstances and faced similar problems, but when it came to how to live in faith, they made opposite choices. One followed after the gods made with human hands. The other followed the God she could not see. The Bible commends Sarah for her faith, and I have no doubt she believed. But as with each one of us, sometimes doubt creeps in and our faith wavers. In those moments, we might make choices we live to regret. I think Sarah understood regret most deeply, especially when she gave Hagar into her husband’s arms.

But as Sarah discovered at the end of the story, God remains faithful whether we believe Him or not. This faithfulness was clearly shown in the covenant God made with Abraham—when the firepot moved between the carcasses of the animals Abraham had sacrificed. In a covenant, normally both parties would pledge to keep their side of the agreement. But God’s covenant with Abraham was one-sided. God alone would keep His promises. Abraham could add nothing to them. He was given the choice to believe God or not. He chose to believe, and God “credited it to him as righteousness” (Gen. 15:6).

In the end, it comes down to choice. Abram and Sarai made some hard choices to leave their father’s household and follow God into the unknown, looking for a city whose architect and builder is God. He blessed them for their obedience. Abraham became the father of many nations, and he is the father of all who believe. Kings and princes came from Sarah’s line.

He who promised is faithful.

May our choices lead us to the same obedient faith in Him.

In His Grace,

Jill Eileen Smith

Please note: As with all of my biblical fiction, I strive to follow the Scripture as best I can. Where there is room for interpretation or scholars have disagreed, I have made an educated choice based on research. Portions of the story not in Scripture are purely from my imagination. Any errors are my own.