The Faith of Sarah… (1) Heb. 11:11, 12 (156)
“This verese calls our attention to the marvelous power of a God-given faith, perseverance, in the presence of most discouraging circumstances, formidable obstacles, and trust when human reason seemed utterly impossible. This faith was exercised by a frail and aged woman, who at first was hindered and opposed by the workings of unbelief, but who in the end relied upon the veracity of God and rested upon His promise. This faith lifts up the soul to Heaven, and able to draw down strength for the body on earth. This was a great endings from small beginnings.” Pink Arthur w.
- The faith of the vast majority of professing Christians is as different from that described in Heb. 11 as darkness is from light. The one ends in talk, the other was expressed in deeds. The one breaks down when put to the test, the other survived every trial to which it was exposed. The one is inoperative and ineffectual, the other was active and powerful. The one is unproductive, the other issued in fruits to the glory of God. One is merely human, the other Divine; one merely natural, the other altogether supernatural.
- “Observe what a blessing it is when a husband and wife are both partners of faith. Abraham is the father of the faithful, and Sarah was a co-share of fellowship in the same promises, and in the same troubles and trials. So, it is said of Zachariah and Elizabeth, ‘And they were both righteous before God…’ Lk. 1:6. It is a mighty encouragement when the constant companion of our lives is also a fellow in the same faith. This should direct us in the matter of choice: she cannot be a meet help that goes a contrary way in faith. Faith in God decayed in families by nothing so much as by want of care in matches” (T. Manton).
- “Through faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed…” v. 11, Gen. 17:17–19; 18:11–14; 21:1, 2, Lk. 1:36. There are five things upon which our attention needs to be focused. First, the impediments of her faith: these were, her barrenness, old age, and unbelief. Second, the effect of her faith: she “received strength to conceive.” Third, the constancy of her faith: she trusted God unto an actual deliverance or birth of the child. Fourth, the foundation of her faith: she rested upon the veracity of the Divine Promiser. Fifth, the fruit of her faith: the numerous posterity which was issued from her son Isaac. Let us consider each of these separately.
- “Through faith also Sarah herself.” The word “also” seems to be added for a double purpose. First to counteract and correct any error that women were debarred the blessings and privileges of grace. It is true that in the official sphere God has prohibited them from occupying the place of rule or usurping authority over the men, so that they are not permitted to teach 1Tim. 2:12, and are bidden to be in subjection to their husbands Eph. 5:22. But in the spiritual sphere all inequalities disappear, for “there is neither Jew nor Greek…” Gal. 3:28. Believing husband and wife are “heirs together of the grace of life.”
- In the second place, “also”, informs us that, though a woman, Sarah exercised the same faith and left Chaldea, dwell in tents with Abraham. She personally acted faith, was equally concerned in the Divine revelation with Abraham, and was as much a party to the great difficulties of its accomplishment. She appoprated the blessing of the promised seed and was proposed unto the Church as an example 1Pet. 3:5, 6. “As Abraham was the father of the faithful, or of the church, so she was the mother of it, so as that the distinct mention of her faith was necessary. She was the free woman from whence the Church sprang: Gal. 4:22, 23. And all believing women are her daughters: 1 Peter 3:6” (John Owen).
