Genesis 18:1-15 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is Genesis 18:1-15. Let’s go!
Genesis 18:1-10 (NIV)
1 The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day.
2 Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.
3 He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by.
4 Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree.
5 Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way–now that you have come to your servant.” “Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.”
6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahs of fine flour and knead it and bake some bread.”
7 Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it.
8 He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.
9 “Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him. “There, in the tent,” he said.
10 Then the LORD said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.”…
On verses 1-10a: A few weeks ago I preached a message called “The Welcoming Party” sharing some things I learned from these 10 verses. I pray it’s an encouragement to you. Check it out HERE.
Genesis 18:10b-15 (NIV)
10 …Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him.
11 Abraham and Sarah were already old and well advanced in years, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing.
12 So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?”
13 Then the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’
14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son.”
15 Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.” But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.”
On verses 10b-15: Upon hearing the Lord say that about this time next year Sarah will have a son, Sarah laughs to herself and thinks sarcastically, “will I now have this pleasure?” Previously Abraham had laughed at the Lord’s message that Sarah would bear a child at the age of 90 (Genesis 17:17), but his laugh was a joyful laugh fueled by faith, wonder and awe. Here Sarah’s laugh is not fueled by faith or joy, but by unbelief, skepticism and ingratitude (v13). Perceiving Sarah’s sarcastic thoughts, the Lord responds by asking, “Is anything too hard for the Lord” (v14). Afraid, Sarah denies laughing but God confirms that she did laugh (v15).
What can we learn from this? Here are a number of lessons I learn:
1. God watches how we respond to His Word. Do we respond to His Word with humility, faith and wonder? Or do we respond with unbelief, pride and sarcasm?
2. Just as Psalm 139:2 and 4 say, God perceives our thoughts from afar even before we speak them out. We can’t hide our inner thoughts from God if we tried.
3. Maybe today you’re struggling with unbelief. God’s word to you is: “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (v14) Remember that what is impossible for people is possible with God.
4. Despite Sarah’s momentary unbelief, God would still bless Sarah, even putting her in the list of examples of faith in Hebrews 11. That is the mercy of God. It goes to show that we may have a momentary lapses into unbelief, but God’s grace is greater than our failures.
Heavenly Father, since You watch how I treat others, since You perceive my thoughts from afar, I pray that I would consistently have a welcoming, humble, and expectant posture toward Your presence and Your Word. For in that there is a great blessing. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
