Sarah Laughs (Gen 18:1-15)

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. 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. He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. 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.” So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahs of fine flour and knead it and bake some bread.” Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set those before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree. “Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him. “There in the tent,” he said. Then the Lord said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.” Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. Abraham and Sarah were already old and well advanced in years, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?” Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son.” Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.” But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.”????

1.????? It was just another ordinary day when Abraham was visited by God and two angels in human form. He immediately recognized them and responded with hospitality. When God speaks to us, do we recognize it? Do we respond with humility and eagerness to be with God and listen to him??

2.????? The appearance of God caused quite a stir in Abraham’s household. There was a sense of urgency to respond to God with the best that Abraham had to offer. As Christians who are servants of God, why do we sometimes become dull to recognize God’s presence and respond? When you do respond, do you give God your best like Abraham?

3. Sarah laughs to herself when she hears God promise to give her a son in her old age. God told Abraham that he heard Sarah laugh although she denied it. This is because God knows our thoughts. Nothing is hidden from God. This should make us ashamed and convict us of our sinfulness. Sometimes when we sin, we think that nobody will know or that it will not affect anyone if we keep it a secret within ourselves.