A STUDY IN GENESIS

Today’s lesson might seem simple or even childish to many, but it is something most Christians struggle with. When God says, “Trust me,” what do we do? In Abraham and Sarah’s day, this very scenario was played out. Now, most pastors and scholars will review this and discuss the promise of Jesus Christ coming from the bloodline of Isaac. However, I want to focus on something rather different. Let’s read Genesis 18 with the mindset of not knowing what is coming. Examine the difference between Abraham and Sarah.

Genesis 18:1-15 “Then the LORD appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre, as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day. 2 So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw [them,] he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground, 3 and said, “My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant. 4 “Please let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. 5 “And I will bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh your hearts. After that you may pass by, inasmuch as you have come to your servant.” They said, “Do as you have said.” 6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quickly, make ready three measures of fine meal; knead [it] and make cakes.” 7 And Abraham ran to the herd, took a tender and good calf, gave [it] to a young man, and he hastened to prepare it. 8 So he took butter and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and set [it] before them; and he stood by them under the tree as they ate. 9 Then they said to him, “Where [is] Sarah your wife?” So he said, “Here, in the tent.” 10 And He said, “I will certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son.” (Sarah was listening in the tent door which [was] behind him.) 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in age; [and] Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. 12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, “After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?” 13 And the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I surely bear [a child,] since I am old?’ 14 “Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.” 15 But Sarah denied [it,] saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. And He said, “No, but you did laugh!”

Abraham immediately sees the three and recognizes that one of them is the Messiah in a pre-incarnate form. We would call this a Christophany. In the discussion, we see that Abraham and Sarah are promised a son. Sarah, who is listening from inside the tent, laughs. Now, many will jump to accuse her of a lack of faith; however, I would remind the reader of what Hebrews 11:11 says about Sarah’s faith. “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.” Now what does this mean for you and I? It means that God gives grace, and even in our weakness, He can make incredible advances for the Kingdom of God. She laughed at the idea, but months later she would be laughing with joy, holding her very own son, Isaac.

This is important for us to understand that God gives grace and can still use us for His glory. Sarah had a moment of weakness, then lied about it, yet by the end of her story, she would bear a son who would have a lineage leading to the Messiah Himself.

This is incredible for you and I! We have a God who not only cares but provides grace for you and I. Let us not take that for granted. As we will see next time, God’s grace does have its limits. There are times He will declare it is judgment time. Next time, we will discuss Sodom and Gomorrah.

Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,

JL