The Faith of Sarah… (3) Heb. 11:11, 12 (158)
- “When she was past age.” This is the miracle contrary to nature, which God so graciously wrought in response to Sarah’s faith. It magnifies the glory of His power. It shows us that no difficulty or hindrance should cause a disbelief of the promise. God is not tied down to the order of nature, nor limited by any secondary causes. He will turn nature upside down rather than not be as good as His word. He brought water out of a rock, made iron to float 2Kings 6:6, sustained two million people in a howling wilderness. The greater the impediments which confront us, faith should be increased. God will always show Himself strong on our behalf.” Pink Arthur W.
- “Because she judged Him faithful who had promised.” Here is the secret and the ground of her confidence, the foundation on which faith rested. She “judged” or reckoned, reputed and esteemed, God to be faithful: she was assured that He would make good His word. God had spoken: Sarah had heard; despite all odds, she steadfastly believed. Rightly did Luther say, “If you would trust God, you must learn to crucify the question How.” “Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do” 1Thess. 5:24, Heb. 10:23, Rom. 4:20, 21. She knew that God could be depended upon: He is “faithful”—able, willing, sure to perform His word. Sarah looked beyond the promise to the Promiser. She rested on the immutability of Him that cannot lie, who will make it good.
- Rightly did John Owen point out that, “The formal object of faith in the Divine promises, is not the things promised in the first place, but God Himself in His essential excellencies, of truth, or faithfulness and power.” The key is the work faith in us that shall “judge” or conclude Him faithful that has promised. It is the man whose mind is stayed upon God Himself…” Is. 26:3. “Is anything too hard for the Lord!” Ro. 4;17
- “Wherefore also from one were born, and that too of (one) having become dead, even as the stars of the heaven in multitude, and as the sand which (is) by the shore of the sea the countless” (v. 12). We have quoted the rendering given in the Bagster Interlinear because it is more literal and accurate than our A.V. This 12th verse set forth the fruit of her faith, namely the numerous posterity which issued from her son, Isaac. The double reference to the “sand” and the “stars” calls attention to the twofold seed: the earthly and the heavenly, the natural and the spiritual Israel. Gen. 15:5; 22:17; 26:4, 1Sam. 12:5.
- Like the “great multitude which no man could number” Rev 7:9, so “as the stars of the sky for multitude and as the sand which is by the seashore innumerable.” The following passages make this clear: Deut. 1:10, Jos 11:4, 2Sam. 17:11, 1 Kings 4:20. For other examples of this figure of speech see Deuteronomy 9:1, Psalm 78:27, Isaiah 60:22, John 21:25.
- The opening “Therefore” of v. 12 points the blessed consequence of her relying upon the faithfulness of God in the face of the utmost natural discouragements. From her faith there issued Isaac, and from him, ultimately, Christ Himself. And this is recorded for our instruction. Who can estimate the fruits of faith? Who can tell how many lives may be affected for good, even in generations yet to come, through your faith and my faith today! Oh how the thought of this should stir us up to cry more earnestly “Lord, increase our faith” to the praise of the glory of Thy grace: Amen.” Pink Arthur W.
