Why Sarah's Prayer Shortened Israel's Bondage in Egypt

Midrash Aggadah, Genesis 21:1

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"And the LORD remembered Sarah" (Genesis 21:1). At the hour when Sarah was given the tidings that she would have Isaac, Sarah was praying before the Place, blessed be He: "Since You have given me seed, why should there be so great a servitude as this?" The Holy One, blessed be He, said to her: "I will subtract from the count, corresponding to your years and corresponding to the years of Abraham, which are one hundred and ninety; and therefore Israel will not be enslaved in Egypt except for two hundred and ten years." This is what Scripture says: "And the LORD remembered Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as He had spoken" (Genesis 21:1).

Themes

PrayerCovenantExile And RedemptionMatriarchsDivine Mercy

Biblical References

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