Examples from the past
To prove that he is not the only one who tells women how they should live with their husbands, Peter cites, from the text, the Old Testament pattern that stresses inner grace. When he calls the “holy women” referring to the women of the past, Peter does not mean that they were perfect. He is talking about their identification and relationship with God, for their gentle and quiet spirits were precious in God’s sight. They “put their hope in God.” The unnamed ladies of earlier centuries had one thing in common, their hope is in God. Paul also commends women who place their hope in God. “The widow who is truly in need and left all alone has put her hope in God and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers (1 Timothy 5:5). They knew that God would never fail them, whatever their circumstances were. As they focus in God, they are cultivating the virtues of gentleness and quietness that are precious to Him. Throughout the Old Testament times, they set the pattern for holy living and invited succeeding generations to follow their example. Also, the wives of the ancient past “adorned themselves” by “submitting to their own husbands.” The exhortation Peter provides for wives is based on a long-standing tradition. He knows that the women in the past demonstrated their submission, having the inner grace to which God is pleased. Peter uses Sarah as an example of a wife who follows God and is not afraid of what the world will tell her if she is not following their pattern. “You have become her children when you do what is good and do not fear any intimidation” (1 Peter 3:6). What Sarah demonstrated was not weakness but of a life that was beautiful and precious in the sight of God. Such kind of attitude in life would be frightening but just like what the women in the past experienced, they will be met by God in the hour of need. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3-4). Those who trust God and His Word will realize that He keeps His Word and His presence is with them.
Blessings,
