Daughters Of Sarah
The pioneer wife shared the hardships of her husband-frontiersman. This was true also in the days of him who is the father of us all. Abraham journeyed, and Sarah accompanied him. While he prepared meat in showing hospitality to strangers she was baking the bread.
God's promises to the father of the faithful included Sarah as their mother and insisted that there be no other. (Genesis 17:19) The Lord records the faults of this strikingly beautiful woman. But he gives His endorsement to her life and character as noble and exemplary.
Abraham had great faith; so did his wife. If we would criticize her for laughing at the seemingly impossible promise, we must remember that he, before that, had laughed at the same.
The Genesis account does not reveal Sarah's strong faith in the promise. But the inspired writer of Hebrews does: "By faith even Sarah herself received power to conceive seed when she was past age, since she counted him faithful who had promised." (Heb. 11:11 — and she is included in the plural pronouns of the thrilling thoughts of verses 13 through 16.) Note how very different was her later confidence from the quiet up-the-sleeve laughter behind the tent door. She fearfully challenged the possible "guess" of the visitor; perhaps he was bluffing. But his firm assurance of positive knowledge showed her its miraculous nature and undoubtedly led to her powerful faith. Abraham believed God; Sarah believed God. And all the children of Abraham, including every daughter of Sarah, should emulate the pioneer parents and believe God, also!
Sarah was in subjection to her husband and obeyed him. (1 Peter 3:5, 6) She followed his decisions even when they were wrong, twice, at least, leading to the very brink of disaster and dishonor. She referred to him as lord. How refreshing and challenging is this wife's quiet display of genuine respect for her husband! Of all the women of old whom the Holy Spirit might have chosen as an outstanding example of womanly virtues, Sarah was selected for the high honor.
Peter, by the Spirit, wrote to the women of the church exhorting them to follow Sarah. "Whose daughters ye now are," he says. Just as by faith all the obedient become spiritual children of Abraham, just so do believing women become daughters of Sarah.
It is true that the word used (tekna) is neuter in form and common gender in meaning, indicating "children" But, in this case, the antecedent and the context denote femininity. Wives are addressed; the "ye means" Christian women. So here the King James version is correct: "Whose daughters ye are." Believing wives are exhorted and challenged to be faithful and brave daughters of Sarah.
May we humbly urge all our sisters in Christ to study the life of this great woman. Meditate upon the exhortations. Thank God for the example of Sarah, the splendid wife and mother whom the Lord wants you to follow.
— Craig, Colorado