The Faith of Sarah in the Establishment

ofthe Church - Hebrews 11;11-16

I. The Faith of Abraham: The Father of Many
Nations (cont.)(il:8-12)
A. Sarah's Faith Displayed in Obtaining the
Seed ofProinise (11:11)
The author of Hebrews now turns to Sarah's
faith in God's promises and role in the Old
Testament church. Like Abraham, her faith was a
remarkable display of submission to God's Word.
There has been controversy surrounding verse 11,
and SOine do not believe that it properly refers to
Sarah, but to Abraham. The Greek verb trans
lated "to conceive seed" (katabole), is the stan-
dard term for "to father a child." Hence, it is
sometimes claimed that this verb could not
properly be applied to Sarah, but must instead
refer to Abraham as subject of the vetse and the
father of the child. Moreover; how can SlIfah ~
commended for hllr faith When she laughed at the
divine messenger of the covenant (Genesis
18:12)? [It should also be noted that this verse
continues to be used as a proof that the Bible is
not inspired. It supposedly teaches that the
woman creates seed in the conception process
even as the man does. While the woman does
contribute an egg, the man provides the seed.
Hence, the Bible contains a scientific error.]
There are three considerations that necessitate a
rejection oflhis hypothesis and support the view .
that the verse properly refers to Sarah. (1) The
chief mark of this persbn's faith is that they did
not pit physical limitations against God 's prOIJl-
ises. This more miturallyrefersto Sarah, who
was not .only batten, put also well past the normal
age for bear-ing children. Men can father children
at Ii very old age; after Sarah 'sdeath, Abraham,
though over 100 years old, fathered many more
children with his wife KetUrah (Genesis 2S:1ff.).
(2) We should adopt a secondary but legitimate
interpretation of the verb in question: to lay down
a foundation (Thayers). Jehovah blessed Sarah to
be the mother of the family of God. Whenever
we interpret Scripture, the words chosen by the
Holy Spirit must be interpreted in a manner
consistent with the context . It is helpful to know
how a word is used elsewhere, but language is
versatile, and different contexts introduce specific
nuances of a word that require careful consider-
ation. (3) Sarah did laugh at th,e messenger
indicating a momentary lapse of her faith in the
divine promise. But dido 't Abraham demonstrate
occasional lapses in his own life? He went in to
Hagar, thus seeking to gain God's promises
through human effort. It is not patriarchal perfec-
tion that makes thein models for faith, but perse-
verance in faith and repentance for failures.
Undoubtedly the Angel's rebuke humbled Sarah,
and she was subsequently confirmed in her faith
in the divine promise.
1. She did not limit the power of God.
There was one great physical obstacle to the
fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham and
Sarah. Sarah was old and barren. Not only had
she been barren all her life, bOut she had also
passed through menopause . . God caused this
situation to develop so that Abraham aod his
descendants would know that the enjoyment of
God' s covenant is by grace alone through faith,
and not through human effort. Man does not
work together with God to bring about salvation.
"True faith does not
measure God's ability and
faithfulness by human
power and understanding."
God alone can Save sinful man and bring him into
fue blessings of the covenant. Sarah, being a
faithful daughter of God, believed that his prom-
i ~ e s would be fulfilled regardless of her personal
limitations anq advanced age. True faith, we must
always remember, does not measure God's' ability .
and faithfulness by human. power and understand-
ing. Hence, when we consider what God can or
may do in our own day, let us not limit him by the
scope of our own understanding. God can and
4 - THE CO'QNSEL of ChalcedOli - 'February/March, 2001
will do all his holy will, and his power is such
that all obstacles will be overcome when he once
begins his mighty work.
2. She possessed great confidence in
the faithfulness of God.
"She judged him faithful who had promised."
Confidence in the faithfulness of God to his
promises sustained Sarah during the difficult
years of wandering and waiting. It must have
been extremely difficult for Sarah. She enjoyed a
comfortable, secure life with Abraham in Ur.
When her husband received the divine call to
leave, she complied with his wishes, and con-
signed herself to his lot. With Abraham, Sarah
wandered all her remaining years in a land in
which she could never call her home, build secure
dwellings, or settle down to a comfortable life.
Sarah also knew that she played a pivotal role in
the fulfillment of everyone of those promises, for
they were focused upon a seed of prpmise, a child
through whom all the families of the earth would
be blessed. As the years went by, her barren
condition remained unaltered and normal child-
bearing years ended. She was certainly tempted
to despair. But what does our text teach? True
faith in God's power and promises motivates the
faithful child of God to endure testing, waiting,
and weakness, and to cling to the faithful Word of
the omnipotent God. Sarah counted upon God to
fulfill his Word to her and Abraham. Sarah
believed that nothing could hinder God from
fulfilling his promises to his church. Witl, such
confidence in God's promises, we too may receive
strength to remain faithful to God and his king-
dom, and endure any hardship or suffering he is
pleased to bring into our lives.
3. She obtained the heir of
promise throngh faith.
God rewarded Sarab's faith and gave her
supernatural ability to conceive Isaac. Moses'
account is a beautiful display of God's love for
Sarah and the certainty of his Word. "And the
Lord visited Sarah as He had said, and the Lord
did for Sarah as He had spoken" (Genesis 21:1).
The Lord, in his perfect time, wrought a great
miracle in Sarah's life and overcrune her physical
disabilities. By persevering in faith and obedi-
ence, Sarah obtained the heir of promise, through
whom Abraham and the Children of Israel inher-
ited the land of Canaan, and more importantly,
through whom the Lord Jesus Christ came and
established his kingdom over the face of the
whole eartll. Sarah's life teaches us that without
faith it is impossible t() plea,se God, and that the
only way we will obtain God's promises in. our
lives is to trust God completely, and to cast
ourselves, our futures, and our weaknesses into
his omnipotent and faithful arms.
B. Abraham's .Faith Displayed in Becoming the
Father of Many Nations (11: 12)
1. His weakness revealed God's grace,
omnipotence, and faithfulness.
Once again, our author emphasizes that
Abraham's life shows how human weakness
displays the omnipotence and sovereignty of God.
Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born.
. Our text somewhat humorously describes him "as
good as dead" (cf. Romans 4:19). Frbm a human
perspective, Abraham had arrived at the age when
men slow down and die, certainly not when they
begin obtaining God's promises. Yet with God,
all things are pO!lsible, and he delights in fulfill"
ing his promises when his people are at their
weakest, so that they might learn that fue power
and glory resides in him alone (2 Corinfuians
12:10).
2. He became the father of many nations
(Galatians 3:26-29).
As a result of Abraham's persevering faith, he
became the father of many nations. Here,
Abraham's family is described hyperbolically as .
many as fue stars in the sky and the sand on the
beach. From one child, Isaac, Abraham pecame
the father of a great family, the family of all who
believe. It should be stressed fuat tllis verse also
overturns a serious theological error in our day.
Abraham is not viewed in Scripture primarily as
the fafuer of the physical Jews. It is true that the
nation of Israel sprang from i).is loins, but
redemptively and covenantally, Abraham's most
important descendants, and the only ones who
will ever receive anything good from God" are
those who like Abraham embrace God's promises,
his Messiah, and his l;:tw. The New Testament is
replete with passages which teach US that it is the
Christian, the believer in Jesus, who can .claim
FebruarylMarch, 2001 - THE COUNSEL of.ChaJcedon - 5
Abraham as his father, not the unbelieving Jews
who lack the faith of their Abraham (Ro,
mans 2:28,29; 4:1,22; Galatians3:1,9, 26,29).
Hence, by believing in the Messiah, we become
Abraham's children, heirs with him"of every ,
promise God has made his people.
C. Abraham's faith is Ii model for
every child of God.
1. Nothing but faith can induce a man to
abandon the world and commence a
pilgrimage to the city of God.
The Church in Abraham's day began with a
call to separation from the world and consecration
to God and his covenant. The saine is true today.
Those who wOllld receive God's promises must
separate themselves unto God, depart from evil,
and dedicate themselves to faith and obedience (2
Corinthians 6:16,18). Only the Holy Spirit, by
regenerating ow: hearts and rooting out our love
for the world, can reform us so that we will be
able and willing to abandon sin and follow God
whe.rever he leads. Hence, it is foolish to think
we can imitate Abraham's life without a true work
of grace in our hearts. The temptations, tests, and
delays that the. Christian encounters cannot be
overcoO)e except through a living union with
Christ, faith in his promises, and the sanctifying .
work oIthe Spirit. The first thing, then,to which
this passage would lead us, is self,examination.
We rimst make our calling and election sure and
work out our salvation with fear and trembling.
We must humble ourselves before the Lord, cast
ourselves npon his metcy in Jesus Christ, and
recognize tbat only he can give us the faith and
obedlence'required to enjoy life and salvation in
him.
2. The Christian man submits himself to the
authority of God's Word .
Faith involves complete confidence in and
submission to the Word of God. Faith leads a
Word,celltere,d life. Whatever God' s Word
teaches; faith submits thereto without questioning
or doubt. It recognizes the authority of the
Creator over the creature, and the illegitimacy of
the latter disputing with authority of Scripture.
Faith continues to thrive, as in Abraham's case,
by continual trust in God's Word. It is a student
of the Bible, reading,O)editating, applying, and
drawing strength from everything written therein.
It lives not by man's wisdom, but by every word
that comes out of God's mouth (Matthew 4:11).
3. The startlng point of all true
faith is self,deniaJ.
It is quite in vogue today for preachers and
teachers to minimize or ignore altogether the
radical change of life to which God calls Christ's
disciples. Missionaries are taught how to blend in
local traditions, beliefs, and practices with the
gospel. Cosmopolitan churches have created a
Christianity that requires very little from its
professors, but looks shockingly similar to the
latest Hollywood productions, self,help manuals,
and amusement parks. This is not an accurate
reflection of God or of his kingdom. Our heav,
enly Father demands complete and immediate
abandonment of everything in order to be a
citizen of his glorious city. It is radically incon,
sis tent for a man to profess to be a Christian and
hold on to his former ways and beliefs . . The
Spirit of God always does a thorough house
cleaning, purging, of ail those he brings to faith in
Christ. The Bible calls the Christian a "new"
'TVt'ry r=:ersorl, sin I(CC',JS
rrc('1 ,cec;::::c \ivith Clod, /esser-ls (ki
'
- love
; or 1(Ir.gCOrY1, or rer:cie'"s l..IS lJrlclt)iC' to
frLJrll the war C1Ljdlfl\l sin and S"'t&l. must
Ix' ciecisively, qlClcJly. and perrrkifwiltly
clt)r-1ndol1ed, or we' drc \iVon ny Co
ca:!eci CUsc
i
,0;es."
man, because his old man is completely sold into
sin and slavery, unable and unwilling to
God (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:24). Christ
himself, when speaking of true discipleship
speaks of the radical 'nature of its demands. He
says, Ifany m!lll will come after me, let him deny
himself, take up his cross and follow me" (Mat"
thew 16:24). And, "He' that finds his life will lose
it: and he that loses his life (in service to me) will
find it" (Matthew 1 0: 3 9). Abraham was required
to leave behind everything .he had known before
and enter upon an unfettered, wholehearted
pursuit of life with God. Though the parameters
of that calling are different, the sum and sub,
stance is the same. Every person, activity, and sin
6 ' TIlE COUNSEL of Chalcedon, FehruaryIMarch,2001
that keeps us from peace with God, lessens our
love for his kingdom, or renders us unable to
fight the war against sin and Satan, must be
decisively, gladly, and permanently abandoned, or
we are not worthy to be called Christ's disciples.
Then, we must be willing to undergo every
hardship, trial, persecution, and personal loss in
following Christ. The demands of discipleship
are radical and lifewide. If we are to be God's
children, we must gladly fulfill them.
4. The Christian life is one of constant testing.
Since Abraham is our father, we cannot expect
to escape a life similar to his own. If suffering,
hardship, and delay were necessary in the age
when the city of God was a yet future, how much
more are these required, now that the city has
been established, Satan and his forces begun to be
resisted, and the far reaches of the earth con-
fronted with the claims ofthis city. Abraham's
life, therefore, is not the exception; it is the
example of how God keeps his people under
discipline, so that they will be weaned off of the
world, their wills conquered for Christ, and their
desires fixed upon life in his kingdom. Therefore,
do not expect a life of ease in the city and king-
dom of God. Yes, Christ has established it, but it ,
is not yet perfected. Yon will be called upon to
do your part, to endure hai'dship iI\ its building.
The New Testament is cIe,ar - all those who live
godly in Christ Jesus will endure hardship and
persecution (Acts 14:22; 2Timothy 3:12). For
when confronted with the. demands of Christ and
his kingdom, the n:;ttions only have two options :
repent and enter the city of God, or rebel. Ifthey
choose the latter, they will inevitably and progres-
sively afflict Christ's servants, until the cup of
their iniquity is full, and Christ comes upon them
in judgment (Isaiah 60:12; Romans 16:20).
5. The C,hristian must have a
multi-generational perspective.
Abraham's life brings out the importance of
capturing the next generation for Christ. When
God established his covenant with Abraham, he
made it clear that the promises were not for him
alone, but extended to his sons and grandsons,
down through their generations, for an everlasting
covenant. That everlasting covenant, of course,
was the covenant of grace, in which Almighty
God, having determined to save his elect, sent the
Lord Jesus to pay the whole penalty for all their
sins and make them righteous through his obedi-
ence. The condition of this covenant is faith in the
gospel promises. This covenant Abraham entered
when he surrendered his life to those promises.
Yet it was not enough for him to believe them.
His children and grandchildren must embrace
God's covenant promises as well.
Do not forget, Christian parents, that the goal
of your salvation is not attaineq simply through
your own confession and faithfulness. If you go
to heaven without your children, much of the
work you have invested in the city will be un-
done. This is why tbe Bible constantly stresses
the importance of the third generation (Genesis
45:10; Exodus 34:7; 2 Kings 17:41; s ~ l m
103:17; 128:6; Proverbs 13:22; 17:6; Jhemiah
2:9; Ezekiel 37:25). If a man dies kno:.ving that
his grandson is faithful to Christ, he can die in
peace and confidence, knowing that his labors and
good name will be perpetuated through many
generations of God-fearing, Christ-loving chil-
dren and grandchildren. Therefore, fathers and
mothers, you must have a long-term vision for
your family. Your job is not finished when your
children reach 18 and are sent packing to college.
You must plan on being an active grandparent as
well. Grandparents are the key to the future
success of the kingdom of God. When tlley do
their job, are tender toward the gospel, and
encourage the next generation to be faithful to
God, the young ones pick up on their godly
example, and dedicate themselves to God's city.
Yet, when they are indolent, delight more in
spending their children's inheritance than laying
up one for them, and take little active interest in
the spiritual education of their grandchildren, you
can be sure that regardless of their personal faith
and piety, little ofthat will be passed on to the
next generation.
6; The arrival of the city of God in
human history places great demands
upon God's people.
We now live in the great day for which
Abraham longed. We are no longer in the shad-
ows of the old covenant. Rather, we live in the
full light of the gospel age and kingdom which
FebrullrylMarch, 2001- THE COUNSEL ofChaIcedon-7
Jesus came announcing and by his death estab-
lished. Greater privileges bring greater obliga-
tions. If Abraham was called to' pursue this city
with joy, patience, and endurance, how much
more does God require us to base our lives and
priorities around life with God in his city, the
church ofJesus Christ?
a) Righteousness - The heart of life with God
in his city or kingdom is righteousness. "The
kingdom of God is not meat and drink but righ-
teousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost"
(Romans 4: 17). The inhabitants of the city of
God must and will dedicate themselves to righ-
teous, holy living. Christ says, ''But seek first the
kingdom of God, and his righteousness" (Mat-
thew 6:33). Kingdom and righteousness are
inseparable in Scripture (Matthew 5 :20). Righ-
teousness is essentially justice. Throughout
Scripture, the standard of justice is God' s holy
law. Whatever is contrary to God's law, is unjust,
a sin (1 John 5 :3). Hence, that person who is not
seeking after greater conformity to God and his
revealed will, regardless of their profession, has
no right to call himself a citizen of God's holy
city, a Christian (John 14:15; Romans 6:13,18-20;
Ephesians 5 :9; 1 John 2:29). And not being a
citizen of that city, he is .cllt off from fellowship
with God. The very fust thing, then, we mllst
remember about life with God is his kingdom, the
chllrch of Christ; is that a holy God can be en-
joyed, loved, and served only by a people dedi-
cated to righteousness in their own lives.
b)DiscipJeship - God promises a future of
worldwide expansion of his city. It is not limited
to a few scattered individuals here and there, but
as God promised to Abraham, the Messiah will
bring salvation to all the families of the earth
(Genesis 12:1-3; Romans 4:11,12). Now Christ
has established his church, and in so doing, the
means through which that pr.omise will be ful-
filled. Hence, immediately prior to his ascension,
his royal processional to be crowned King of
kings and Head of the church, he commissioned
the apostles, and tl,1rough them the church, to
bring the tidings of his saving message to the
ends of the earth (Matthew 28:18-20). It is
through her authoritative use of the keys of the
kingdom of heaven, the faithful preaching and
teaching of his whole counsel, that the nations are
. discipled to him, i.e., made his willing and obedi-
ent servants. One of the primary concerns of
every citizen of the city of God is the expansion
of the city. He longs and prays for the conversion
of the nations. Not a day goes by when he does
not think about those around him who are perish-
ing as aliens from the commonwealth of God's
city. In a day when the faithful preaching of
God's Word, the authoritative use of the key that
opens the kingdom to repentant sinners, lan-
guishes, his heart is broken. He knows there is a
direct, God-ordained relationship between faithful
preaching or God's whole counsel and the number
of true disciples being converted to Jesus Christ.
Though he may not be called to preach the gospel
as a minister in the Church, he is devoted to the
gospel, and according to his station and opportu-
nity, regularly seeks to impress upon others the
duties offaith in Jesus Christ and repentance. He
supports worthy mission projects around the
world, foregoing personal luxury and conve-
nience, if necessary, in order to support the
primary work of the city of God, the discipling of
the nations. He involves himself fully in the .Iife
of the local congregation. For it is there that !lie
city of God meets together, This cannot be
missed. The local assembly of . the church of
Jesus Christ is the. earthly assembly of God's holy
city. Its worship is heavenly. Its preaching is the
ministry of the Holy Spirit. Its fellowship is a
foretaste of heaven perfected. A man who is not
milch interested in the local congregation and
who does not enter fully into its life and work is
not a faithful citizen of the city of God.
c) Education - Citizens of God's holy city are
extremely concerned with Christian education.
Their covenant seed are the next generation of the
city, and they must be taught how to function as
faithful citizens, in covenant with God, walking
with him in obedience and fear in every area of
life. The world has stolen this educational idea
from the church, but it has radically redefined the
goals. John Dewey's educational program, which
is followed by today's government schools, is
established Upon the premise that since objective
(transcendent) truth and ethics are unknowable to
man, education is concerned with making men
good citizens. It serves a utilitarian purpose.
Modem education serves to train up generations
8 - THE COUNSEL of Chalcedon - FebruarylMarch, 2001
of graduates to build the city of man, the human-
istic city of the devil, who is arrayed against
Christ and his holy city. The Christian's idea of
citizenship and education is completely different.
For him, the chief and driving motivation behind
education is to make God's little children faithful
to his covenant and equipped to build God's city.
We do not educate our children in the home or
Christian school primarily to escape culture or the
duties of city living, to get away from the bad
apples in the public schools, or to add a few
religious lessons to the unbeliever's basically
correct views of life and education. We educate
them as we do because it is our duty to train up a
future generation who will overcome the seed of
the serpent by building the city of God. Hence,
the quality of our education is vital. The modern
homeschool and Christian school movements will
fail in their true objective if they produce a
generation of lower-class citizens, and I do not
mean monetary. I mean a generation of young
people who are so sheltered that they retreat
within the four walls of the home or church, who
are so cowered by evil that they are ashamed to
stand up publicly for Christ, and who are so
insufficiently trained that they cannot stand for
his interests in every sphere of human activity.
We are training warriors and laborers for the city
of God, not 1I\0nks and nuns who know about
Jesus but about little else. Our educational
efforts, curriculum, and intensity must reflect that.
Its fruit, a generation of godly, well trained, and
faithful citizens in God's city will demonstrate the
true value of the Christian education movement in
the 20th century.
7. The current demise of the city of God calls
for sorrow, repentance, and reformation.
Passages like this should produce tears in the
Christian: tears of joy over the amazing grace of
God in Christ that has been poured out upon
world history and into the lives of his elect. Yet
there will also be tears of sorrow, especially in
our own day, when we see God's city in ill_repair,
and the city of man so glamorous and towering
upon its foundation of sand. The condition of the
church today must be an occasion of real tears.
Bitterness over abandonment, anger over errors,
and fears over the future are part of the
Christian's sorrow, but not enough. We are
sorrowful because we know that its professing
citizens are abandoning the grace, glory, and
calling of God's city, the church of Christ. Her
walls of salvation are scribbled upon with graffiti
of false doctrines. Her foundations of truth and
sound doctrine are eroded by an emphasis upon a
new living word from God in addition to the
Bible and an utter ignorance of the English Bible
that would make the popes of old cringe. Her
unstoppable weapons are tarnished by compro-
mise with the world, materialism, laziness, and
indifference for the glory and honor of Jesus
Christ. Her impact upon world civilization and
culture are but forgotten memories, dim echoes
from the past. Her streets of gold are full of the
piss and dung of entertainment driven worship
services, slick televangelists who sound more like
humanists and psychologists than Holy Ghost
filled students of Scripture, and Christians who
allow the truth to be trampled in the streets and
fools to fill the pulpits. Beloved, the single
reason our country is in the condition we find it
right now is because professing Christians would
rather live easy and comfortable under the shad-
ows of the city of man, with all its convenience,
glitz, and wealth, than work day and night to
rebuild the city of God, the church of Jesus
Christ. Such a condition must make any lover of
God, Scripture, and history wail in agony and
distress (Psalm 119:136; Isaiah 62:1-7; Jeremiah
4: 19-22), and give the Lord of the church no rest
until he reverses the situation and makes his
church a praise in the earth.
8. Anticipation of the perfected city of God is a
powerful incentive to covenant faithfnlness.
The church in the 20
th
century has often been
so heavenly minded she has been no earthly good.
The Reformed faith, by emphasizing the historical
and cultural implications of Christ's saving work
and Lordship seeks to call men back to the task of
seeking God's kingdom and will on the earth.
Our time on earth after conversion is appointed
for intense labor and diligence in laboring to see
Christ's kingdom established victorious over all
men and nations. Let us not forget, however, as
our text teaches us, the importance of fixing the
eye of faith upon the perfected city of God, our
heavenly reward. The glory of the reward and life
that awaits us with God will make sin far less
February/March, 2001 - THE COUNSEL of Chalcedon - 9
attractive, fill us with faith and zeal for God's
glory, and inflame our passion to see all men
surrender to our great and glorious God. In times
of cultural crisis, moreover, when we do not see
God's kingdom expanding as we would like, the
perfected city of God keeps our faith from Ian"
guishing through unbelief, and encourages us to
persevere in faith and obedience. Our Hebrew
brothers and sisters needed to turn their a,ttention
to the glories of heaven immediately. Only when
we are persuaded that life with God in the perc
fected city is our greatest good, will we be able to
endure suffering, deprivation, and even death' for
his cause and kingdom.
9. The faith of Christian women is vital to the
building of Christ's kingdom.
Sarah's life is important for several reasons,
the most obvious of which relates to her confi-
dence in God's Word and faithfulness to his
promises and people. Consider also how the Holy
Spirit illustrates in her that the faith of Christian
women is vital to the establishment of God's holy
city and Idngdom. Contrary to modem detractors
from the Bible, and advocates of gender-neutral
texts, the Bible needs no amendments to include
the contributions of women to the work of the
church. The Bible here speaks very highly of
Sarah's faith and constantly references the faith of
other great women (Jochebed - Exodus 2:2-3wl
Hebrews 11:23; Rahab - Joshua 2,6; Jael,
Deborah - Judges 4-5; Hannah - 1 Samuel; Ruth
- Ruth; Mary - Luke 1,2; Priscilla - Acts 18:26;
Romans 16:3). It is our ignorance of Scripture
and our desire to remake God and Christianity
into our own image that have produced such
radical attitudes toward the Bible in our day, not
any deficiency or male chauvinism in the sacred
text.
a) They are the helpmeets of
godly Christian men.
Sarah's life serves as a great example to the
modem Christian woman of obedience, submis-
sion, and faith (1 Peter 3:5ff). Abraham's lot
would have been much more difficult had Sarah
proven unwilling to accompany him on his
lifelong pilgrimage in Canaan. She did not,
however, resist him, in spite of the difficulties
involved in obtaining God's promises. She rever-
enced Abraham, submitted to his leadership, and
called him "lord" (Genesis 18:12). In Abraham,
Sarah recognized the godly leader whom God had
placed in her life. She saw it as her duty to
follow Abraham wherever he led, and to see
herself as his helpmeet through all the difficulties
they would share together. The title "lord". does
not indicate a master"slave relationship. On the
contrary, Sarah highly respected Abraham,.found
herself in loving service to him; and enjoyed life
with him. It was natural for her to think of him as
her lord. She recognized Abraham's headship
over the family and gladly submitted to it. A
Christian woman will see nothing in Sarah's
action that is demeaning to a woman's person or
value. It is recognition ofthe loving protection
and authority that a holy and good God has
placed in her life.
(1) What is a meek spirit?
Sarah possessed two particular attributes that
made her a faithful helpmeet, Christian, and
instrument in the building of the kingdom of God:
meekness and quietness. In contrast to women
whose primary concern is physical appearance,
Sarah had an inner beauty that made her a true
helper to Abraham. Meekness is not mousiness,
wimpiness, or cowardliness. Moses is said to
have been the meekest man who ever lived, and
yet he boldly confronted Pharaoh and the rebel-
lious children of Israel with the word of God
(Numbers 12:3). Meekness is a teachable disposi-
tion. The Psalmist writes that God teaches and
leads the meek (25:9). Being taught by the Lord, a
meek man will boldly obey that word even in the
face of tremendous opposition. A wife demon-
strates meekness by submitting to her husband,
allowing him to lead and direct her for God's
glory, according to God's Word, and for the good
of the family. Even if he is failing in some or all
of these areas, Peter writes that meekness will
cause the godly woman to submit to her husband.
She will endeavor to win him not by browbeating
or verbal argumentation, but by a daily life of
decency and reverence. She must certainly appeal
to her husband, but always in a humble, submis-
sive manner. Sarah is perhaps the greatest ex-
ample of a meek woman to be found in Scripture.
She followed Abram from Vr to an unknown
land. She placed herself under his authority. She
10 - THE COUNSEL of Chalcedon - FebruarylMarch, 2001
was willing to be led by Abraham even when it
meant that Isaac must be sacrificed,
MeeJcness is wholly opposed to the boisterous,
unruly spirit that the book of Proverbs so fre-
quently condemns, Consider how unbearable it is
to live with a contentious, ill contented,
unsubmissive woman:
(a) ):'rov, 21 :9; 25:24 - It is better to live 011 the
roof than in the house with her.
(b) Prov, 21: 19 - It is better to live in the
wilderness than in the honse with her.
(0) Prov, 27:15,16 - She is more frustrating
than the continually dripping rain.
(2) What is a quiet spirit?
The woman Peter describes does not always
have to express her opinion or have the last word.
She is self-controlled and appreciates the power
of a good example, She is not disturbed to the
point of anger when she does not get her way.
She is composed before the Lord. She trusts in
God's perfect providence, and as such, is able to
believe his promises and live for them even when
they are not immediately fulfilled. Sarah exhib-
ited much of such a spirit. Although she was a
sinner, we see in her a composure before the
amazing promise of God that is convicting, When
confronted by the Lord in Genesis 18, she imme-
diately recognized her sin, and doubted no more.
Sarah lived for over 30 years before she saw
God' s special promise fulfilled. She encountered
many tests, but she quietly persevered in faith.
Christian woman, nothing is more valuable in
your life than a meek and quiet spirit. First, they
are precious in God's sight. When in God's
power, you develop them in your life, his blessing
and favor will rest upon you. Second, tbey are
valuable in the sight of a truly Christian man. A
godly husband, while being attracted to his wife
physically and sexually, realizes that her beauty
does not lie wholly on the outside, Physical
beauty usually diminishes over time: Peter writes
that a woman's source of worth and beauty is a
submissive, meek, and quiet spirit. Such a spirit
will make you a delight to your husband. He will
prize you, seek to be a faithful leader, and de-
velop a respect and love for you that will thrill
your heart, bring genuine fulfillment, and make
your marriage joyous, Christian woman, while
your outward appearance is important, do not
neglect the adornment of a meek and quiet spirit.
The former without the latter may make your
husband want you sexually, but it will not lay a
foundation for a lasting, Christ-centered, and
fulfilling marriage.
Several things come to mind from Sarah's ex-
ample. (J) The Bible is brutally honest about the
demands placed upon a faithful Christian wife,
Submission and reverence for her husband are
given amidst a life oftesting and suffering for
Christ. Submission is hard work and requires
dedication to duty. She may not always under-
stand or fullyappreciate his sense of calling and
passion for duty, but it is her responsibility to
assist him in every way possible to attain to God's
promises and kingdom. (2) Sarah's faith and
obedience were as necessary as Abraham's in
obtaining God's promises. Submission does fiot
entail second-class citizenship in God's kingdom
and a lesser important status, Abraham could
never have achieved the status of the "father of all
believers" unless Sarah was their mother (Romans
4: 11; Galatians 4:26). Hence, Christian women,
you must embrace God's promises as fully as did
Sarah, and having embraced them, devote your
lives to your husband and family in order to attain
them. (3) Christian women, like Sarah, you too
will face many obstacles, especially in our day, in
living faithful to God and believing his ,promises.
The world's view of womanhood and femininity
are radically anti-Scriptural and subversive to all
biblical order in the home, church, and civiliza-
tion. Worldly women will tell you that you will
discover your true self only through attaining
your career, fitness, financial, and educational
goals. A Christian wOlllan must reject the world's
view of womanhood and embrace God's. A
faithful woman is one who embraced his promises
and lives to make sure that her husband and
children enjoy life in God's covenant. In this,she
finds her fulfillment as a woman created in God's
image to be man's helpmeet in establishing the
kingdom of King Jesus victorious over all the
earth. (4) Finally, you have a great example to
follow not only in Sarall, but also in the great
women of faith whom God has raised up through-
out the history of the church, When your hus-
FebruarylMarch, 2001 - THE COUNSEL of Chalcedon - 11
bands are frustrated in living for Christ amid this
hostile culture, it is you who must go alongside to
him in his zealous defense of the
Christian worldview againstall enemies of Christ.
When the church around you is faithless to her
charge and in great danger of outright apostasy
from Christ, you must give refuge and support to
godly ministers of the gospel, who may, refreshed
by your hospitality and encouragement, pick up
the sword of the Spirit in defense of the city of
God. When the world's children are being edu-
cated in the citadels of humanism and godless-
ness, it is up to you to preserve Christ's little ones
from the lies of Satan, take them up in your arms
like Christ, teach them to walk in covenant with
God, and train them to stand for his interests in
every area of life. Christian women, you do not
realize how important you are! You truly shape
the next generation for Christ. Godly men like
Timothy, Augustine, and Spurgeon all testify that
it was a godly mother who constantly read the
Scriptures to them and taught them the love of
Christ, that laid the foundation for their later
usefulness in the church of Jesus Christ. How
many of the French Huguenots, and even John
Calvin himself, found refuge in the castle of
Marguerite of Valois, Queen of Navarre, from the
tyranny, persecution, and idolatry of Roman
Catholicism? How many homes over the past
2,00Q years can testify that it was a godly mother
who encouraged the father to lead in family
worship, moderate discipline so as to avoid
embittering a future soldier of Christ, and set an
example for meekness, gentleness, and consis-
tency for generations to come. Under your wise,
diligent, and faithful oversight, the Christian
home becomes a worship center, a financial
institution, a school, a hospital, a recreation
facility, a library, a training ground for the con-
quering of this world by the gospel ofJesus
Christ. You, my dear sisters, are the first line of
defense for the church of Jesus Christ. Therefore,
like Sarah, you must be persuaded of the truthful-
ness of God's promises respecting your children,
your church, and your world! You must be more
impressed and awed by the power and faithfulness
of God than by your own limitations and the evils
of your culture! By God's grace, if you can attain
to that goal, like Sarah, you will be her daughter
and a faithful mother to Israel.
b) They need godly husbands who
will treat them biblically . .
Peter stresses that for the wife to attain to
God's goal for her life, the husbands must dwell
with them in an understanding manner. Husbands
must love their wives devotedly and cherish them
daily (Ephesians 5: 17ft). The Bible commands
the husband to love because it presupposes that
his greatest tendency is to be domineering, de-
manding, and demeaning. Christian husbands
must realize that their wives are not their servants.
They are fellow heirs of God's covenant promises
and citizens of God's holy city, the church of
Jesus Christ. Moreover, they are their helpmeets
in storming the gates of hell and conquering them
for Christ. Hence, Peter commands us to dwell
with them in understanding. This means to
appreciate them for what they are and treat them
accordingly. To dwell with them in understanding
includes regular times of fellowship and commu-
nication, in which the future of the family can be
discussed in detail. It certainly inv'olves a loving,
trusting, and open relationship in which a unity of
life can develop in all areas. And then, the
husband must give the wife every tool she needs
in building Christ's kingdom in her particular
sphere. Whether domestic or educational, the
wife must be provided for so that she can help
him subdue the earth for the glory of Christ.
Probably most importantly, however, the husband
must view his wife as his helpmeet not as his
doormat. The wife should never be bossed about,
addressed in a condescending manner, treated
harShly, or worked mercilessly. At every step, the
husband must be a living image of Christ to his
wife, tenderly encouraging in her many difficult
duties, helping in all domestic and educational
responsibilities, and speaking to her tenderly and
with great affection. Husbands, do not forget that
you can persevere in faith and obedience and
obtain God's promises only through the help of
godly, faithful, and well-loved wives. If you take
your calling seriously, make use of the helpmeet
that the living God has taken from your side.
TO BE CONTINUED
12 - THE COUNSEL of Chalcedon - FebruarylMarch, 2001