Discussions on Women of God

August 19, 2026 — jwwealand

SARAH – The Free Woman – Galatians 4:21-31

The wife of Abraham was very beautiful, she was so attractive that twice, Abraham felt threatened with losing her to two different Kings. This is recorded in Genesis 12 as Pharaoh wanted her, and also in Genesis 20 when Abimelech the King of Gerar desired her. There are two amazing facts about both of these incidents. 

Firstly, Sarah had to be over 60 yrs old when Pharaoh took her and close to 80 when Abimelech took her, even though she was barren when Pharaoh took her and past the age of child-bearing when Abimelech took her (Gen. 18:10-14), But Sarah obviously maintained her beauty (Gen. 12:11-14 & Gen. 20:5-18) This was not an advantage to her, it was a problem! How did Sarah know the solution to the problem her beauty presented? Somehow by the fact she insisted on calling her husband “Lord” when aged, (Gen. 18:12) The apostle Peter points out that because of her virtuous courage and obvious obedience, she was blessed with safety, honor & “incorruptible beauty” from her spirit! Read 1st Peter 3:1-6.

Secondly, Sarah was barren (Gen. 11:30), and even though she couldn’t conceive, Abraham was still willing to lie twice about their identity to save his own life without any regard for Sarah’s integrity! Amazingly, Sarah went along with Abraham’s lie even when it made her vulnerable to the possible loss of her own life because they both had no assurance that there was any “fear of God” in Abimelech (Gen. 20:11). Ironically, Abimelech ended up being blessed by God, because of God’s intervention and Sarah’s courageous obedience!  See Genesis 20:14-18.

The Apostle Paul uses Sarah as an allegory for spiritual freedom. Please read Galatians 4:21-31. He calls her the “free woman” because she was literally a free person in her social status, unlike her servant Hagar who was an enslaved woman. Paul then uses this literal status to represent the freedom Christians have through God’s grace rather than human effort. She represents the new covenant of grace (Heb. 10:29) Her son, Isaac, was born through God’s miraculous promise and supernatural power when she was past childbearing age. In contrast, Hagar (the enslaved woman) represents the old covenant of the Mosaic Law. Her son, Ishmael, was born through normal human effort and attempts to fulfill God’s plan by human works. The meaning of spiritual freedom is in Sarah’s child Isaac, he was a gift born by God’s promise, spiritually free people are children of God’s promise and grace. Trying to earn salvation through religious rules of human effort keeps a person in spiritual slavery (like a slave mother’s child). Trusting in Christ brings spiritual liberty (like a free mother’s child) Sarah therefore is an amazing example for a woman of God to follow in courage & obedience!

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Virtues of Christ ~ Peace

January 3, 2025 — jwwealand

Jesus Christ Himself is our peace. This is easily understood when we accept the definition of the Greek word for ‘peace’, eirene. In Gal. 5:22 & Eph. 2:14. Peace is a part of Him, which He wants us to enjoy at all times and in every way we can enjoy it, 2Ths. 3;16. Peace is His ability to make friends, overcoming anxiety and conflict between Him and us individually and personally. If it were not for the loving self-sacrifice of Jesus, we would have no hope at all, of ever becoming friends with our Creator, God, the Father and Lord of Heaven and Earth. Because of our sinfulness, we are often enemies towards Him and maybe more often in frustration against His will, because of our own sinful selfishness. The whole passage of Ephesians 2:11-22 needs to be read for a real good grasp of God’s peace in your mind and/or heart.

Don’t forget the reality of Acts 9:31

So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed ____________, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.  

When His fruit grows in our heart, we find a friendship with God as Abraham himself had such a continual and growing relationship with Him. Abraham is called the Friend of God, James 2:23, so lets consider the faith of Abraham and make it our own so we can enjoy the same friendship Abraham had. A faith that obeyed God’s word, against all the odds, Abraham travelled on a journey not knowing exactly where he would be finished. When he got there, he found it was famine stricken, but still gave thanks for it, and offered a sacrifice of thanksgiving. For survival he fled to Egypt and when strengthened he returned to the land God promised and showed to him, that is real faith! Abraham also was patient and waited on the promise of God for a son, for several long years and despite all the odds of old-age, he continued with his barren wife, not forsaking her, but in a normal marriage relationship, she conceived and successfully bore a son in old age, what faith! And then if that wasn’t enough faith, Abraham showed more, when God asked him to sacrifice his son, Abraham tried, but God’s angel stopped him. Can we faithfully obey God, even when it seems dangerous? Abraham did, so can we. Greater is He that is within us, than he that is in the world. 1st John 4:4

Jesus condemned worry, in Matthew 6:25-34. But we all fall into that type of sinfulness all too often. Why? Maybe we should ask, Why should we avoid it? Firstly, it’s no good for us whatsoever! Secondly, it’s a complete waste of time. Thirdly, if we are worrying, we are not trying to find God’s Kingdom and His righteousness. Therefore, we are lost, without His rule and with out His goodness in our lives. His peace can help us rest on Him for answers and solutions coming at the right time after we have fulfilled His righteousness in our lives and done what is good to the best of our ability. There comes a time in every problem we approach, when we must stop and pray, casting our cares upon Him because He cares for us, 1st Peter 5:7. Or do we really believe He cares for us. This may be why we worry too much, because we don’t REALLY believe God does care. If we do believe this, then we are walking in His friendship and are at peace with Him.

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