Author : William Stewart
reprinted from “…And They Shall Become One Flesh”
available on Amazon.com in Kindle format.
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance… By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country… for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised (Hebrews 11:8-11; cf. Romans 4:18-22).
Obedience To God And Spouse
In his letter to the church at Rome, the apostle Paul identified Abraham as “…the father of all those who believe…” (Romans 4:11). This wonderful description reveals something about Abraham’s character and his emphasis on faithfulness to the Lord. We see time and again, references to the faith and faithfulness of Abraham in Scripture.
Though Sarah is not spoken of nearly as much as her husband, we still see statements made with regard to her faith before God. The Hebrew writer tells us that she conceived Isaac by faith, “…because she judged Him faithful who had promised.” (Hebrews 11:11). A few verses later, Sarah’s faith, along with that of her husband, son, and grandson, is lauded in these words, These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. (v 13)
In discussing the role of the wife, even in a case where the husband is not a follower of Christ, Peter emphasized the adorning of “…the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit…” (1 Peter 3:4). He provides Sarah as an example, who “…obeyed Abraham, calling him lord…” In the next verse, Peter addressed a responsibility of the husband to his wife; to dwell with her with understanding. How do husbands “…dwell with them with understanding…”? Do we perhaps seen an example of this in Genesis 21:9-14? Sarah observed Ishmael scoffing Isaac, and demanded of Abraham, “Cast out this bondwoman and her son…” We’re told that “…the thing was very grievous in Abraham’s sight…” (v 11, KJV). And yet, God commanded him, “Do not let it be displeasing in your sight because of the lad or because of your bondwoman. Whatever Sarah has said to you, listen to her voice; for in Isaac your seed shall be called” (v 12). Though Abraham was concerned for Hagar and Ishmael, he was commanded to take into account Sarah’s place — to exercise understanding, and to give honor to her. It is essential that husbands “…listen to her voice…” Effective leadership involves an open ear and selfless decision making.
Sharing Blessings And Frustrations
Abraham and Sarah were a richly blessed couple. When God called them out of Ur of the Chaldeans, He promised:
I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed (Genesis 12:2-3)
Abraham and Sarah were an exceptionally blessed couple. Not only were these wonderful blessings promised to them, but God bestowed great physical blessings upon them as well.
As blessed as they were, they also shared an oppressive and deflating burden — they had not been able to conceive. Abraham’s frustration with this was evident:
But Abram said, ‘Lord God, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?’ Then Abram said, ‘Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed one born in my house is my heir!’(Genesis 15:2-3)
Sarah’s frustration is also see a chapter later, “So Sarai said to Abram, ‘See now, the LORD has restrained me from bearing children. Please go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her.’ And Abram heeded the voice of Sarai” (Genesis 16:2).
Though both are described as pillars of faith in the Scripture, Abraham and Sarah, baffled by their lack of offspring in light of the promises of God, each upon at least one occasion laughed at the fulfilment of God’s promise (Genesis 17:17-18; 18:12-15). Their laughter was not amusement, but a reaction of mockery to God’s affirmation that they would have a child in their old age.
Sometimes, difficult times come, testing our faith. Abraham and Sarah endured such; Job endured such, the New Testament writers say that we will endure such (James 1:2-3; 1 Peter 1:6-7; 4:12-16). When difficulties arise, it is necessary that husband and wife support one another, and overcome together.
Interaction With Others As A Couple
Good interpersonal skills are important to have. It is necessary that we, as individuals learn how to interact with other people, appropriate to the setting in which we find ourselves, and always in accordance with the instruction of God’s word. Equally, it is necessary that couples learn how to interact with other people. In Abraham and Sarah, we see both an example of good and bad external interaction.
Shortly after we are introduced to Abraham and Sarah, we read of a weakness in their character, which was repeated at least twice in their life, and perhaps more than that (Genesis 20:13). Entering the land of Egypt to gain relief from a famine, they decided to say that they were brother and sister, not husband and wife. This, they also did before Abimelech, king of Gerar.
They became an evil example to their son Isaac in this, as he would also do the same with regard to his wife Rebekah (Genesis 26:7-8). It is essential that spouses seek to protect and support one another, but it is absolutely unacceptable that they engage in wickedness to do so. A lie, whether told for yourself or for another, is still a lie.
The writer of Hebrews penned, “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels” (Hebrews 13:2). This is doubtless a reference to Abraham and Sarah, as they received three men who came their way (Genesis 18:1-8). Seeing them from the door of his tent, Abraham sought to serve them, providing water, rest and food. Sarah quickly made cakes for these visitors, and Abraham slaughtered and prepared a calf of his herd. Shortly after mentioning Abraham and Sarah’s kindness to these visitors, the Hebrew writer urges us, “…do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” (Hebrews 13:16). God would have us all be “…given to hospitality…” (Romans 12:13; cf. 1 Peter 4:9; 1 John 3:17). It is identified as a trait necessary among those who are entrusted with leadership in the local church (1 Timothy 3;2; Titus 1:8).
Hospitality is not only an opportunity for us to serve others, but an opportunity for the married couple to work and grow together. It is an excellent avenue to share our faith, our blessings, and our example with others; that we, as a couple, might be an influence for good in the world.
