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Point of Reference
by Fred Price
Eve and Sarah are seldom mentioned without their counter-parts – Adam and Abraham. But the lives of these exceptional women are worth examining individually as their faith and personal character was not developed so much as a result of their partnership with their mates but in relationship with their God and the circumstances He brought them through.
Eve’s name probably means “Living,” as she was the mother of all living beings. (Genesis 3:20) She represents the pure and pristine ideal of womanhood, undoubtedly a creature of unsurpassed beauty; ultimately spoiled by sin yet an example of God’s plan of redemption. She was not only Adam’s unique soul-mate but the crown of God’s amazing creative work; the last living thing brought into existence. She was fashioned by God’s own hand with particular care and attention to detail, not from the substance of the earth but out of the living flesh and bone of Adam (Genesis 2:20-25); Adam reflecting the supreme being (Genesis 1:27), Eve embodying humanity’s glory. (1 Corinthians 11:7) However, her outward appearance is never mentioned, reinforcing the biblical teaching that true femininity does not depend so much on appearance as on the inner being. (1 Peter 3:3-5)
Eve shared the same essential nature of Adam, in no way inferior to him nor made merely to satisfy his needs. She was his spiritual counter-part, an intellectual equal; in every way a companion. There were, none-the-less, clear distinctions in their creative design and designated roles; the differences going beyond their physical make-ups. They were diverse emotionally, psychologically and socially; their peculiar strengths equipping them for distinctive roles and purposes.
Eve’s downfall, for which she is most readily remembered, came about as the result of the first test between good and evil, doubt and trust, the truth and a lie. When asked, “Did God really say,…?”, she replied yes; to which her inquisitor assured her that that wasn’t quite true. She could become like her mentor in knowing good and evil – a desirable thing, don’t you think? She was tempted by a lie based on truth, a counterfeiting of God’s ideal; the modus operandi of the devil. She relied on her senses – how she felt, the appearance of the fruit on the tree, the anticipation of how it would taste – the benefits seemingly outweighing the risks, and was made more like the devil instead of comparable to God; fallen, corrupted and condemned. Satan being a master at introducing uncertainty about God’s meaning, suspicion concerning his motives and apprehension over his plan for our lives. (Genesis 3:1-7) As a result, a world of evil was set in motion by her and Adam’s disobedience.
In declaring His displeasure and invoking a curse for their disobedience, God predicted continued enmity between the serpent and the family of Adam (Genesis 3:15), a hint of man’s redemption found in a descendant’s crushing of the serpent’s head; part of Eve’s personal punishment and redemption occurring as a result of childbearing. (Genesis 3:16) Cain becoming a tremendous source of disappointment and heartache, Seth founding a Godly line of people to perpetuate the Word of God throughout the world. (Genesis 4:26) In a vastly changed environment, Eve repented, adapted and grew in her knowledge and understanding of God, bearing the children the earth’s kingdoms were established on and, more importantly, birthing the line through which God’s son would be introduced to the world. Not realizing the full ramifications of her actions, she none-the-less continued to comprehend what she could, do what she must and looked to God for blessing, redemption and fulfillment; which she ultimately received.
Sarah’s life could be summed up as hoping against hope. (Hebrews 11:11) By no means a perfect model of meekness or grace – she could be temperamental, conniving, jealous, unreasonable and even a bit cruel. Sarai, sometimes interpreted as “Contentious,” became Sarah – or “Princess” at the age of 90; the same time Abram, meaning “Exalted father”, was renamed Abraham, “Father of a multitude”. (Genesis 17:15) Throughout her life she was repeatedly looked on by others favorably because of her striking good looks, which could spoil any woman. But before we write her off as inappropriately superficial, and shallow of character, let’s take a closer look at her personal circumstances. From the size of the caravan leaving Ur, she and Abram must have been somewhat wealthy. Sarah was asked to leave the comforts of home and the convenience of city-life, leaving behind family and friends for the life of an itinerant nomad in the deserts of an unknown land. And for what? Because a God whom she’d never known before and who rarely spoke to her as he did to her husband said so, with somewhat vague promises of blessings to come. (Genesis 12:1, Hebrews 11:8)
Her most significant problem however was her lack of children, the majority of her life characterized by the statement, “Now Sarai was barren; she had no children.” Genesis 11:30; which corrupted her sense of self-worth and purpose in life, causing frustration, depression and finally foolishness. As when she persuaded Abraham to father a child with her servant Hagar, which she could traditionally claim as her own; predictably creating more problems than she solved.
Sarah was a study in contrasts and contradictions, often a model of humility, meekness, hospitality, faithfulness and affection as well as the aforementioned problematic traits. God chose Abraham to be the father of a nation that would testify to His goodness and glory; which would certainly imply Sarah’s role as mother of that nation. In a sense then, the pressure was all on Sarah to produce a child or be blamed for Abraham’s failure. Through a number of hardships and trials, she endured and was blessed (and Abraham through her) by Yahweh as a result. (For instance, see Genesis 12:10-20 & 20:1-18) But for many years, the question remained; had God promised something he couldn’t bring about or did he intend to use someone other than Sarah to accomplish it? Could it be God was purposefully withholding a child from her? Yes, but only so that when his timetable was met, no one could question His involvement in bringing it about. Her surrogate solution, as all attempts at improving or circumventing God’s will, being disastrous.
Finally, after years of wavering hope and faltering faith, when it seemed utterly unreasonable to think God could use her or Abraham to fulfill his promise – she got a new name and a renewed promise, with a fixed date of fulfillment; directed specifically to her. (Genesis 18:10-15) When questioned about her mirth at the seemingly preposterous pronouncement, she denied having derisively laughed. Yet with the birth of her son a year later, she reveled in her joy, ironically naming her long-promised son Isaac – laughter. (Genesis 21:6) As Abraham is characterized as the spiritual father of those who believe (Romans 4:9-11, Galatians 3:7), so Sarah is acknowledged as an exemplary model and mother of women of faith. ( 1 Peter 3:1- 6)
Even though at times she doubted, questioned and became sullen and angry; she never completely abandoned her trust in God nor her love for Abraham – and was finally rewarded with her heart’s desire. She was molded by these years of trial and testing, created anew into the woman God desired, the wife Abraham needed and the mother Isaac deserved.
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Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.
Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker. He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today. Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.
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