In this follow up article let’s continue our focus on three
remaining groups of women from the book of Genesis. Following the daughters-in-law of Noah and
their example of being willing to be counted among the few we turn our minds to
Sarah. Sarah is recorded by the Hebrews writer as one who judged God faithful
in regard to His promises (Heb. 11:11). She trusted that God would fulfill what
He had spoken to her with regard to a homeland and a heritage. Did she obey
perfectly what God expected of her? No. She became impatient. She laughed. She
faced doubt, discouragement, and difficulties. Yet she trusted. She waited. She
complied. So, in like manner, God judged her faithful and He counted her among
those great heroes of faith in Hebrews 11. What hope, encouragement, and
strength we can gain from her very real example of faith in God and His
promises.
Next, let’s look at Hagar the bondwoman. On the surface we
tend to read about Hagar in light of Sarah’s attempt to facilitate God’s plan
and the undesired results that followed. While we learn that any attempt to
commandeer God’s will is futile, God reveals the true spiritual meaning of the bondwoman vs. the free woman. In Galatians
4 we learn that these two women and their two sons are symbolic (v. 24). They
represent the two covenants (v. 25). The Old is represented by Hagar and
Ishmael. The New is represented by Sarah and Isaac. Under the Old there is
bondage—the bondwoman’s son was born according to the flesh and was therefore
subject to the same bondage as his mother. But under the New there is freedom
because the freewoman’s son was born according to promise (v. 23). “Now we,
brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise” (Gal. 4:28). True freedom from
the bondage of sin can only be found in the New Covenant system and in the promised Son. Therefore, Paul
exhorts us to “stand fast in the liberty by which Christ has made us free”
(Gal. 5:1). To return or adhere to Old Testament tenants is to return to bondage. May we ever be mindful of the price that was
paid for our true spiritual freedom.
Finally, let’s notice
the women in Lot’s life—his wife and their two daughters. While a casual read
of their accounts in Genesis may raise more questions than answers it remains
that what we can glean from their record is clear—sin always reaps adverse
consequences. Living in such sinful cities as Sodom and Gomorrah undoubtedly
left its fateful impression on Lot’s family. It clouded their minds and their
eyes. Lot’s wife apparently couldn’t completely turn her back to such
wickedness and she paid the ultimate price. Their daughters, likewise, followed
suit with misguided judgment and sacrificed their purity. May we ever remember
that sin always reaps gross by-products and is never an island unto itself.
From the dawn of creation to this present hour womankind has
been and continues to be a most vital component to either the good or ill of
humanity. Of course, God desires us to use our influence for good. Just as He
expected from Eve, He expects the same from us. May we aspire to use our
efforts and energies for good—to love our husbands, care for our children, and
do good to all, especially those of the household of faith. May God help us to be women, as HE would have
us, and in so doing, not grow weary (Gal. 6:9)!
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