Sarai, My Review

Sarai, by Jill Eileen Smith, My Review

Sarai, by Jill Eileen Smith, is a fictional account of the story of Sarai and Abram, later renamed Sarah and Abraham by Adonai, our God.   Jill follows the scriptural account of the story of Sarai and Abram, half-brother and half-sister, who marry and wait until far into their old age for God to send the promised child, Isaac.    Sarai despairs and gives her Egyptian maid, Hagar, to Abram, and Ishmael is born.   But God honors His promise to them, even though they sin and take matters into their own hands.    God also sends His judgement on Sodom and Gomorrah and Lot and Melah taste of the bitter punishment.   The angels told Lot and Melah not to look back, but Melah, who has worshipped other Gods disobeys and becomes a pillar of salt.    Sarai chooses to obey God and believe in Him.    Isaac means "laughter" and his birth did indeed bring laughter and joy to Sarai when she gave birth to him at age 90!!!     what a wondrous God we serve.

I highly recommend this book.    Jill follows the scriptural account but I love how she gives me cause to think anew of Hagar and her position and how sad the story truly was for her.    She was forced to leave Egypt and when she followed her mistress's request to have a baby for her with her husband, Abram, Hagar is then scorned and hated by Sarai.  Sarai loved Abram and did not want to share him with any other.    Doing so to try to fulfill God's promise before it was God's time caused grief and strife for Abram, Sarai, Hagar, and Ishmael.   I was highly impressed with the details of the life of the times in the story.      Hagar and Sarai work together to weave clothing for the new babies to come.    They cook over the open fires and live in tents, unlike Lot and Melah who choose to live in the sinful city to have the luxury of a home.    

About the Author

Jill Eileen Smith has written other religious fictional works and lives in Michigan with her beloved feline friends.  You can find more information about her and her writing at http://www.jilleileensmith.com.