50 - Hebrews 11:11-16: The Faith of Sarah

Hebrews 11:11-16

“Although Sarah was past the age of childbearing, she received potency to become pregnant, knowing God would keep His promise. Abraham had no prospects as a potential father, but became the forefather of an entire nation; a race as numberless as the stars in the sky or the countless gains of sand upon the shore. However, none of the patriarchs received the full benefits of God’s promises, but only glimpsed their future fulfillment. All of them died victoriously as a result of their faith. They regarded themselves as alien residents. Such people plainly show they are seeking a homeland. And indeed, if they had been homesick for the country they left behind, they had ample opportunity to return. Instead, they yearned for their heavenly home. For this reason, God is not ashamed to be called their God and has prepared for them a celestial city.”   (paraphrased)

The Life of Sarah
The name Sarah means “Princess.” In the Hall of Faith, she is the first woman whose strength we are asked to consider. As Abraham’s wife, she came with him when they left Ur in Chaldea (Gen. 12:5). Sarah was the daughter of Terah, the half-sister of Abraham. She was a woman who could adapt to changing circumstances and epitomizes the obedient, faithful spouse. Peter encourages Christian wives to emulate Sarah’s faithfulness (I Pet. 3:6).
When Sarah was nearly sixty years old, she was still very beautiful (Gen. 12:11). At one point, famine drove Abraham and Sarah into Egypt (Gen. 12:10). Abraham was afraid the Egyptians would kill him and take Sarah if they knew she was married to him (Gen. 12:12). Abraham told Sarah to say she was his sister. After Pharaoh took Sarah to his house, God protected her by plaguing the Egyptians. Pharaoh later released Sarah and sent them away.

Twice in her life she almost became part of a king’s harem. The previous situation with Pharaoh is nearly repeated when Abraham arrived in Gerar and visits King Abimelech (Gen. 20:2). God warned the king in a dream not to touch Sarah (Gen. 20:7) and the King rebukes Abraham for his deceitfulness (Gen. 20:10). Throughout both of these ordeals, God did not allow sexual fraternization with the woman destined to become the mother of the Jewish race.

Even as a young woman, Sarah was unable to bear children (Gen. 11:30). Abraham laughed within himself when the Lord told him Sarah would have a child at ninety years of age (Gen. 17:17). By this time, Abraham was nearly a century old (Rom. 4:19). When the Lord later came to Abraham’s tent, Sarah also laughed at the thought of having a child at that late juncture in life (Gen. 18:12-15). Long past the age of fertility, she could not imagine how she could conceive a child. She tried in her own way to fulfill God’s promise by giving her handmaid to Abraham, hoping to give him a son through her. Her faltering faith produced only Ishmael. Prior to the birth of the promised son, God named him Isaac, meaning “laughter,” as a memorial of their incredulity at the thought of childbearing (Gen. 17:19). Sarah later laughed with joy when Isaac is born (Gen. 21:6).

Sarah died at the age of 127 and Abraham survived her by about forty years (Gen. 23:1). Sarah, Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Leah and Joseph would all eventually find their final resting places in the cave of Machpelah (Gen. 49:31 & 50:13).

v. 11
Because of their marital union and their faith, it is only natural for the writer to mention Abraham along with Sarah. Any marriage can come to full fruition only when both are Believers. After God’s announcement to her, Sarah waited twenty-five years to deliver her promised son. The phrase “received strength to conceive seed” is katabolen spermatos, referring to the male’s part in procreation. Her infertility coupled with her advanced age absolutely disallowed the possibility of conception. Miracle births are proof God can create life when in a womb when it is apparently impossible. God also opened the barren womb of Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist (Lk. 1:7). In this regard, the Incarnation of Christ is foreshadowed. Concerning miraculous conceptions, Gabriel reminded Mary that with God, “nothing is impossible” (Lk. 1:37).

v. 12
Beginning with the faith of one married couple, the entire Hebrew race was produced. Abraham being “as good as dead” does not refer to his overall physical condition, but is a hyperbole regarding his ability to procreate. The Lord used these combined similes regarding numberless stars and sand when reaffirming His promise to Abraham (Gen. 22:17). Abraham’s potency remained strong, even after Sarah’s death. After marrying Keturah, he fathered six more sons (Gen. 25:1-2).

v. 13
The writer briefly postpones his story of Abraham to interject a few general remarks (vv. 13-16). All the patriarchs died without experiencing the full benefit of the promises. It was nearly 500 years after the death of Jacob when Israel began the conquest of Canaan. Though none of them lived to see God’s promises fulfilled, they continued to embrace them as a reality. They welcomed them as sailors salute or greet a country on the horizon they are approaching. Viewing the promises as futuristic, they were certain of their existence. Abraham lived as if he had seen the Messiah and died knowing he would arrive in the heavenly city. By faith, Abraham foresaw the era of Christ and rejoiced (Jn. 8:56). The common bond between Abraham, Sarah, Isaac and Jacob was trusting God to do what seemed impossible. Faith begins by believing God and leads us on to embrace the promised possessions.

Although they did not own the land in which they sojourned, they lived there as resident aliens. They regarded themselves as wandering pilgrims and sojourners. Their nomadic lifestyle was a confession they were foreigners, for they did not take up permanent residency. Paradoxically, the patriarchs were refugees in the very land they would one day inherit. Abraham described himself as an alien sojourner (Gen. 23:4). Jacob told Pharaoh the years of his pilgrimage were a hundred and thirty years (Gen. 47:9). David confessed he and his company were strangers and sojourners, as were their forefathers (I Chron. 29:15 & Ps. 39:12). Peter instructs his readers to live in this world as exiles and pilgrims (I Pet. 2:11).

vv. 14-15
Sojourning proves one has not reached their ultimate destination. Nothing prevented the forefathers from returning to Chaldea, except their trust in Jehovah. Had they been homesick, they could have gone back anytime. Although they could have returned to Mesopotamia, they sought a more enduring fatherland. This is best illustrated by an incident which occurred later in Abraham’s life. His chief servant was tasked with returning to Mesopotamia to seek a bride for Isaac. When the servant suggested he take Isaac back with him, Abraham strictly forbade him to do so (Gen. 24:5-6). Abraham’s faith in God excluded any possibility of looking back. They had not traveled so far that it was impossible to retrace their steps, but preferred the hardships of Canaan to the comforts of Chaldea. This passage clearly shows the Christian life is a continuous onward and upward path. Paul encourages us to forget what is behind us and press toward the prize of our calling in Jesus Christ (Phil. 3:13-14).

v. 16
From the Genesis account, it is difficult to ascertain what the patriarchs were thinking. Here, however, we are specifically told they anticipated heaven. “Desire” (oregontai) means “to stretch out the hand in anticipation of grasping something.” The writer urges his readers not to yearn to return to Judaism, just as the patriarchs did not desire to return to their former lifestyle. They sought for the fulfillment of the promises beyond Canaan, anticipating a superior, heavenly country. Jesus promised Believers will inherit “the kingdom the Father has prepared since the foundation of the world” (Mt. 25:34).

God is unashamed to be named as their God, openly honoring them and attesting to their faith. He frequently described Himself as the God of the patriarchs (Gen. 28:13 & Ex. 3:6). When addressing the Sadducees, Jesus quotes the words of His Father as being “the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob” (Mt. 22:32). The proof that God honored their faith is demonstrated by what He prepared for them. Throughout their sojourn in Canaan, the patriarchs did not apply for citizenship. Paul reminds us our true citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20). The example of the forefathers should help us develop spiritual priorities. The heavenly city is our reward for faithfulness as well.

QUESTIONS: THE FAITH OF SARAH

Hebrews 11:11-16

1. Sarah almost became a member of:
A. King David’s harem
B. King Abimelech’s harem
C. Pharaoh’s harem
D. King’s Saul’s harem
E. both B & C

2. Sarah had two children before she bore Isaac. True or False?

3. According to Judges 13:2, Manoah was barren, but an angel told her she would have a son (13:3). What was the name of her child? (v. 24)

4.  From the time God promises Sarah a child until the time of Isaac’s birth was a period of:
A. 25 years
B. 50 years
C. 75 years
D. 100 years
E. 125 years

5. After Sarah died, Abraham married Keturah. How many more sons did Abraham have by her? (Genesis 25:1-2)

6. According to John 8:56, what did Abraham foresee?

7. According to Colossians 3:2, what must we set our affections upon?

8. According to Luke 9:62, those who look back are unfit for what?

9. Make a list with your spouse of the different places you have lived since you were first married. Discuss the reasons why you made each of these moves.

10. Discuss with your mate the importance of regarding your marital life as a pilgrimage toward heaven.