Genesis 18:9-189And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent. 10And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him. 11Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. 12Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? 13And the Lord said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old? 14Is any thing too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son. 15Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh. 16And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way. 17And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; 18Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? (Genesis 18:9‑18)
“And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent. And He said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.” 10:9,10.
Abraham, faithful in ministering to his visitors, was quickly rewarded with the assurance that God’s promise concerning an heir was soon to be realized. However Sarah, nearly 90 years old, thought it an impossible thing at such an age and she “laughed within herself” at the statement. But every thought and intent of the heart is known to Him with whom we have to do, and what Sarah thought and expressed in secret were well known to the One who had spoken. He reprimanded her for her lack of faith, saying, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” May this question reassure the heart of each reader! With man circumstances may seem to present proems impossible to answer. Yet it is at just such times we often prove that “with God all things are possible.” Certainly nothing is too hard for the Lord—whether it be giving a son to this old couple, or the turning of mighty powers and nations in their plans and purposes. All things are upheld by the word of His power. It is a blessed assurance to the child of God to know that “He doeth all things well” and will overrule every circumstance for the good and blessing of His people.
Sarah sought to cover her failure with a denial of guilt, but was again accused of laughter unbecoming to her. Yet, so gracious are God’s ways that He did not withdraw the promise because of her lack of faith, and in this we are reminded that He “is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” Ephesians 3:2020Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, (Ephesians 3:20).
The purpose of their visit being accomplished, the three went on their way toward Sodom — Abraham accompanying them for a part of the journey. There was a great contrast in their mission to Abraham and that to Sodom. Blessing had marked the first — judgment was to mark the second. As they journeyed on the Lord expressed His pleasure in revealing to Abraham the circumstances about to take place in the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. In like manner, God is pleased to reveal to His people today, through His Word, things that will soon come to pass concerning this world, and future purposes concerning both His earthly and heavenly people. The diligent child of God will find the future well defined in God’s holy Word, but the understanding of it will be the fruit of faithfulness and waiting on the Lord. We have noticed that Abraham was not given knowledge of future events until his pathway had manifested faithfulness to God, obedience to His Word and devotedness in serving Him. It was then that the Lord said: “Shall I hide from Abram that thing which I do ... ..?” verse 17.
ML 08/29/1965