“Genesis 18:9-15”

Saturday, December 07, 2019

“Then they said to him, 'Where is Sarah your wife?' And he said, 'There, in the tent.' He said, 'I will surely return to you at this time next year; and behold, Sarah your wife will have a son.' And Sarah was listening at the tent door, which was behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; Sarah was past childbearing. Sarah laughed to herself, saying, 'After I have become old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?' And the Lord said to Abraham, 'Why did Sarah laugh, saying, “Shall I indeed bear a child, when I am so old?” Is anything too difficult for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.' Sarah denied it however, saying, 'I did not laugh'; for she was afraid. And He said, 'No, but you did laugh.'”

---End of Scripture verses---

“Sarah your wife will have a son...” (verse 10) If Abraham had been ignorant as to the supernatural quality of his visitors up until this point, their words of verse 10 took the mystery out of the picture. They knew his wife's name was Sarah, and they foretold the arrival time and gender of the coming child of promise. “The divine promise has been unfolding in stages. First, in 15:4, Abraham was assured that his heir would be a natural-born son; then in 17:16-21, he was assured that Sarah would bear this child; now a time limit is set for the fulfillment of the promise.” (Nahum Sarna) Sarah heard the whole conversation because she “was listening at the tent door,” and who could blame her for eavesdropping on this rather bizarre incident?

“Sarah laughed to herself, saying, 'After I have become old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?'” (verse 12) “From the human standpoint, it was impossible for a woman long after the onset of menopause to give birth to a child, and Sarah's derisive laughter seemed to her to be the most appropriate response to what the stranger had said. As yet, it was not fully evident to her that God Himself was behind the promise. To her credit, in time, she believed and was empowered by The Highest to conceive and bear Isaac, appropriately enough called 'laughter.' Willis noted that, "The Hebrew word [~titschaq] is very similar to the word Isaac, [~Yitschaq]"; and that is why the meaning of the name Isaac is usually given as 'laughter.' He was, by his very name, a perpetual reminder to both Abraham and Sarah that, in a genuine sense, he was a supernatural gift from God, called forever afterward, 'the son of promise.'” (James Burton Coffman)

As Abraham had done before her, Sarah's initial reaction was laughter. Whether the nature of this laughter was derision, incredulity or surprise is of little importance because we often have little control over an initial emotional response to something of such extraordinary and momentous significance. We must be careful to not call into question Sarah's faith in this matter because the Hebrew writer sets the record straight. “By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised.” (Hebrews 11:11)

Notice that Sarah referred to her husband has “my lord”. The Holy Spirit speaks complementary of Sarah in this regard and sets her as an example for all godly, submissive women to follow after. “In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior. Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands; just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear.” (1 Peter 3:1-6)

“And the Lord said to Abraham, 'Why did Sarah laugh saying, 'Shall I indeed bear a child, when I am so old?'” (verse 13) Only the Lord could know what a person says to “herself” (verse 12). Sarah tried to hide her inner doubt and laughter by lying because “she was afraid” (verse 15). We can understand her fear and her instinct for self preservation, but it is always best to speak the truth to others and in our own hearts, because God is intimately familiar with all our words and thoughts. “O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O Lord, You know it all.” (Psalm 139:1-4)

“Is anything too difficult for the Lord?” (verse 14) "Verse 14 is one of the mountain-peak verses of the Bible. `Is anything too hard for the Lord?' To ask this question is to answer it. `With God all things are possible' (Matthew 19:26). He who created all things surely controls all things. He who enacted the laws of nature can change them if he wills." (Henry M. Morris – The Genesis Record) I don't know why the Lord's people are so astounded when He does marvelous and amazing things in their lives. I have often been blown away when God has answered my prayers in the affirmative and granted my petitions to me. Of course thankfulness is always due along with the overflowing of praise and glory for His power and providence. But we should not be astounded when the Lord grants our requests through His amazing grace as if some task could be too difficult or “wonderful” for Him to perform. “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Please read Genesis 18:16-21 for tomorrow.

Have a great day!

- Louie Taylor

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