THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
Sarah, the wife of Abraham, took her maidservant Hagar, an Egyptian, after ten years of living together with Abraham in the land of Canaan, and presented her to him as a wife. Notice how precise the Scripture is. It signifies that Abraham did not immediately act upon Sarah's words. The text conveys that his decision was motivated by a desire to comfort his wife and to heed her counsel. The Scripture emphasizes Sarah's chastity and extreme self-restraint by stating the duration they had lived together in Canaan. The mention of "ten years" is significant, as it reveals how long the righteous endured barrenness with patience and demonstrated great purity, above all passions.
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The reference to their time in Canaan serves another purpose; it is not a complete account of their cohabitation, but highlights the period spent in that land. Why is this relevant? Because shortly after arriving in Canaan, the merciful Lord promised Abraham, “To your seed I will give this land,” and He reiterated this promise multiple times. This demonstrates how many years the Lord waited before fulfilling His promise, yet the righteous man remained steadfast, trusting God's words over his own understanding. After they had lived together for ten years in Canaan, we see the strength of Abraham’s spirit and his wisdom in waiting. The Lord, wishing to glorify him, deliberately delayed the fulfillment of His promises, teaching that He not only wants to bestow blessings but also to exalt those who receive them. If He had granted Sarah a child immediately upon making His promise, the miracle would not have been as profound, nor would Abraham's faith have been as evident. The power of God would have still been apparent, given that He could have revived the deadness of their condition at any time, but it was the trial of faith over many years that adorned Abraham with a greater crown.
Moreover, consider the account of the Canaanite woman, who approached the Lord with a plea for mercy concerning her demon-possessed daughter. The Lord, who is compassionate and loving, initially chose not to respond to her. His disciples, unaware of the unfolding purpose, urged Him to send her away as her cries grew tiresome. Yet, the Lord’s intention was to gradually reveal her dignity and teach His disciples how poorly they understood His compassion. He responded, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel,” prompting her to demonstrate even greater determination. Instead of despairing, she earnestly sought Him more fervently. This reflects the nature of a troubled soul, driven by deep desire, focusing solely on securing her request.
Upon hearing Him, she humbly bowed and again pleaded, “Have mercy on me, Lord.” Acknowledging the Lord's goodness, she persisted in faith. The Lord, wise in His dealings, offered a sharper, more challenging response to reveal her steadfast spirit to the disciples and to all present: “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” Her response exemplified her unwavering faith, as she accepted this designation of herself and aspired to receive mercy alongside the faithful. Her faith only intensified; she replied, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Through her reply, we recognize the reason for the Lord’s delay. Her unwavering faith drew immediate praise from Him, declaring, “O woman, great is your faith.” With astonishment, He acknowledged her perseverance, granting her desire with the assurance that her steadfast prayers had made her worthy of such favor.
This illustrates the Lord’s purpose in His gradual response—not to demean her, but to elevate her faith publicly. Returning to the previous account, we see that the prolonged delay in fulfilling the promises made to Abraham was intentional, meant to manifest those promises with even greater glory and to showcase the righteous man’s faith to all. After ten years together in Canaan, the Scripture recounts how Sarah gave Hagar to Abraham, highlighting the admirable virtues of both their patience and their commitment to chastity, devoid of jealousy, as a testament to their love and charitable hearts.