David Bahn – Reflections

Click here for an audio version of this blog post.

They said to Abraham, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the tent.” ¹⁰ The Lord said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. ¹¹ Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah.¹² So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” ¹³ The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ ¹⁴ Is anything too marvelous for the Lord to do? [NASB] At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” ¹⁵ But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.” – Genesis 18:9-15

Maybe you’ve heard or even asked the sophist’s question: Can God make a boulder so large that he cannot move it? It supposedly presents a conundrum. Unsolvable. Impossible question. But it is a failed question, for it puts God at odds with his own will. And God is not two-minded. 

Nor is God a wimp. My good brother and I were talking through some troubling issues in my past, and he made the comment: “God isn’t a wimp, is he? Of course he isn’t. He can do anything he wants. So why would he allow those things to happen to you? Why would he put you through all that if he really is all-powerful? If nothing is too difficult for God?” 

In that case it was a good reminder. God is over all things. And while that is not the center of my theology, it is a immutable truth connected to the central hub of God’s grace. And the translation of the NASB helps get at that. I believe, more than anything else, that God is gracious and merciful. He is forgiving and good. God is love. And he has all the power needed to do the good things he has in mind for Abraham. And for you. And for me. 

I need to remember that. For there are times when his ways are difficult and other paths look so inviting. Nothing is too wonderful for God (check the ESV note: Is anything too hard^[d] for the Lord?). So I must lean into his goodness and trust in his loving kindness and rely on his power to bring me through. 

That might mean resisting temptation.

That may involve trusting a difficult promise.

It could mean giving God the first fruits of my income during these retirement years.

I will mean loving my neighbor, forgiving my spouse, and doing good to others when I have the opportunity. 

But the LORD’s almost off-hand question to Abraham is a good reminder, “Is anything too difficult / wonderful / marvelous for God?” Or course not. I need to remember that – in every facet of life. And so do you, dear reader. So do you.

Click here for an audio version of this blog post.

And the Lord appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. ² He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth ³ and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant.

⁹ They said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the tent.” ¹⁰ The Lord said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. ¹¹ Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah.¹² So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” ¹³ The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ ¹⁴ Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” ¹⁵ But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.” –  Genesis 18:1-3, 9-15

Lydia got it. So did Abraham. We might have the same attitude if someone important to us came to visit. Or not… 

Early in my years of ministry the church leaders encourage members of the church to invite us to their home for dinner, or even a visit. One woman said, “But the pastor?!? I’ve never had a pastor visit before!” She was under the mistaken impression that we clergy types have some special aura that prevents others from being comfortable in our presence. Or she was afraid her house was not sufficiently clean. Or she thought she’s have to serve only angel food cake and certainly not deviled eggs! 

The most hospitable people we’ve ever known had a really messy house. Like uncomfortably messy. Perhaps dirty. Maybe even unsafe??? But they opened their hearts and home to us. Others have done the same. No apologies. Just an open home and heart, and a proffered meal. 

Still…it is appropriate to recognize something about having people in your home: It should be recognized and treated as a privilege and honor. When someone comes into your home it is truly right to receive them warmly and with all good manner of hospitality. It might be good to clean the goo from the countertops. It would be nice to have the dishes at least washed and not simply piled by the sink. I say this not to the shame of the people I mentioned above. But they were truly an exception. 

Having things done nicely is a sign of respect. It shows that you are honored to have people in your home. It indicates that they have value in your eyes. They are worthy of your effort to make things nice for them. 

This is what Abraham does. He invites these visitors to a meal and a respite. He kills a calf and serves curds and milk along with bread newly made. All this took time and effort.

Today we took our granddaughters to the Children’s Museum in downtown Houston. Then we went to the “It’s my pleasure,” place (Chick-Fil-A) for lunch. I don’t know who came up with that idea. Try it sometime…say thank you to a Chick-Fil-A worker and you’re sure to get, “It’s my pleasure,” in return. 

I wonder whether we need to be more like those workers. More like Abraham. More like the best Hotelier. The most sincerely-accommodating maître d’. Lydia. Check out her story in Acts 16:11-15. Who knows what kind of good news you might hear!

Click here for an audio version of this blog post.

And the Lord appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. ² He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth ³ and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant.

⁹ They said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the tent.” ¹⁰ The Lord said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. ¹¹ Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah.¹² So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” ¹³ The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ ¹⁴ Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” ¹⁵ But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.” –  Genesis 18:1-3, 9-15

Much of what she said almost qualified for the Captain Obvious awards. Seldom were there profound truths. But you could always count on wise and gracious comments. Even her criticisms were kindly provided while clearly stated and with moral clarity. When Arleen spoke, people listened. At least I did. And often her comments would sway the decision for the better. People who do not presume or posture are more often able to make a lasting impact for good. God speaks more often in those kinds of ways than bombastic thundering pronouncement.

When God shows up at Abraham and Sarah’s tent, there is little fanfare or fury. Just grace and truth: a powerful, life-changing and soul-shaping combination.

Sometimes God shows up in power and might. Think Elisha and the prophets of Baal. Or Isaiah in the year King Uziah died. Or God talking straight with Job. Think the crossing of the Red Sea. There can be no mistaking the power, majesty, glory, and dominion of God in those moments. 

But think, too, of the still small voice. Remember Jesus’ silence before Pilate. Call to mind God walking in the Garden in the cool of the day, and asking simply, “Adam, where are you?” This moment in Abraham’s life is an encounter with God. And God somehow manages to interact with him in such a way that he does not die (Exodus 33:20). 

When God shows up some 2000 years later he would do so in an even less presuming manner. A baby boy would be born. A young man would gather a group of 12 followers, and the attention of the multitudes, and the ire of the religious leaders, and the sentence of death from Pilate. This is God’s way. He can show up in might and power. And sometimes he does. But his most powerful and profound work is done in the moments of heart access. It is there we see God’s love. It is there God shapes our souls for eternity. It is there God would woo us, direct us, and grow us. 

This is one of those kinds of encounters. In the end, when the LORD says, “No, but you did laugh.” This seems not to be spoken bombastically. But gracious truth was spoken. I suspect both Abraham and Sarah would remember that comment for some time. That’s what happens when God speaks to our souls.

Click here for an audio version of this blog post.

And the Lord appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. ² He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth ³ and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. ⁴ Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, ⁵ while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” ⁶ And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes.” ⁷ And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly.⁸ Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate.

⁹ They said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the tent.”¹⁰ The Lord said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. ¹¹ Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah.¹² So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” ¹³ The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ ¹⁴ Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” ¹⁵ But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.”

He was a neatly-dressed young man. He came in, signed the communion register and had a seat in the pews. No one knew him. But…well, let’s say that the interaction I had with him a few minutes later and then not, makes me believe he was an angel. And I didn’t entertain him well that day. At least I don’t consider myself to have done so. I fear I turned away a messenger of God. The particulars don’t really matter for the purposes of this occasion. For the point is that we may have entertained angels unawares. That’s not really my idea. Check out Hebrews 13:2 if you want the Bible’s read on this.

Three men come to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre. This is where Abraham has settled. He is still living in tents, but this is his place. Refreshments would be available. Sarah would be nearby in the tent – though apparently and appropriate to that day – not in the presence of Abraham and these three men. 

Some commentators speak of these three men as the LORD and two men. In fact Moses tells us that the LORD appeared to Abraham here. He also says three men visit Abraham. We might think of the three persons of the Trinity taking on human flesh. Most likely to me, however, is that this is the pre-incarnate Christ, the Angel of the LORD, and two angels with him. 

Whoever it is, Abraham greets them warmly and offers them hospitality. He may not be fully aware of who they are. But he is willing to be host to them. They will enjoy his hospitality. Eat his food. Drink his milk. Eat his curds. Enjoy his newly prepared calf. He would watch them eat.

These are not figments of his imagination. They have the appearance of ordinary men. But they carry a message of great importance. They will reiterate to Abraham that Sarah will have a child. She will laugh. They will call her on it. But the message and promise will come true. 

There’s something about real people communicating real truth to real people. On this occasion the angels assume all the properties of real people. And their message is a message from God. We may think of angels as winged creatures with etherial appearance. But the message makes the angel. For the word angel itself means messenger. How many times have we heard a message from God and not recognized the messenger as an angel from God?

I have had to re-think my treatment of people because of the unspoken message of the man who visited our church some 40 years ago. Perhaps you have entertained an angel or two: messengers from God with his message of repentance and faith, forgiveness and salvation. And perhaps you were unaware of just who that really was.

For your personal reflection and edification on this Lord’s Day

Psalm 15:1-3
Who may worship in your sanctuary, LORD?
Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?
Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right,
speaking the truth from sincere hearts.
Those who refuse to gossip
or harm their neighbors
or speak evil of their friends.

Psalm 45:6
Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever.
You rule with a scepter of justice.

Psalm 75:1, 9-10
We thank you, O God!We give thanks because you are near.People everywhere tell of your wonderful deeds.As for me, I will always proclaim what God has done;I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.For God says, “I will break the strength of the wicked,but I will increase the power of the godly.”

Psalm 105:1-6
Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness.
Let the whole world know what he has done.
Sing to him; yes, sing his praises.
Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds.
Exult in his holy name;
rejoice, you who worship the LORD.
Search for the LORD and for his strength;
continually seek him.
Remember the wonders he has performed,
his miracles, and the rulings he has given,
you children of his servant Abraham,
you descendants of Jacob, his chosen ones.

Psalm 135:1-3
Praise the LORD!
Praise the name of the LORD!
Praise him, you who serve the LORD,
you who serve in the house of the LORD,
in the courts of the house of our God.
Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good;
celebrate his lovely name with music.

Click here for an audio version of this blog post.

So Abraham took his son Ishmael, everyone born in his household, and everyone bought with money—every male in his household—and circumcised them that day, as God had told him. ²⁴ Abraham was 99 years old when he was circumcised. ²⁵ His son Ishmael was 13 years old when he was circumcised. ²⁶ That same day Abraham and his son Ishmael were circumcised. ²⁷ All the men of his household, whether born in the household or bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him. – Genesis 17:23-27 [God’s Word Translation]

When our youngest son was born, the need arose to baptize him. Three days after he was born, before he attained the weight of even 4 pounds, Diane and I sat with a styrofoam cup of water in the NICU and I baptized him. It was the most emotionally-rich baptism I had ever preformed. And once it was done, I knew there were promises of God connected with him that previous to that time were not. [See the Bible verses referencing the blessings of baptism at the end of this blog post.]

I don’t believe in hocus pocus, but I do believe in miracles. I don’t believe in ex opere operato (see definition below),but I do believe in the power of God’s word working through the waters of baptism. I don’t believe you cannot be immersed in order for a baptism to be legitimate. But I do believe that simple water connected with God’s word brings blessings of life and salvation. Whether in the Jordan River, a Greek Orthodox baptismal font (they submerse babies when they baptize them), or a styrofoam cup, with the word is a powerful and rich blessing.

If you would take the word circumcision and substitute it for baptism in the examples above, the same would apply. It’s not some magic trick when a person is baptized, or a young Jewish boy was circumcised. It puts us into the covenant of God’s grace. It’s not just the work itself, but faith that makes the promises of baptism and circumcision efficacious. That’s why Abraham is the father of faith. Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). 

Whether child or adult, the blessings of baptism come from God through the word. And whether adult or child, they remain in the water apart from faith. Martin Luther rightly says, “Baptism is the water comprehended in God’s command and connected with God’s word.” It offers the blessings of God: forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. And it does all this because the word of God is connected with the water. And those blessings are received by “faith that trusts that word of God (again, Luther). 

Today we baptize all who would come into the fellowship of God’s redeemed. Male and female. Young or old. No one questions the idea that women should be baptized. Nor should they. God’s desire is that all people be saved. His covenant of grace is to extend to all people. It is our privilege and responsibility that parents bring their children to be baptized, and once they’re baptized bring them up in the fear and admonition of the Lord, teaching them to obey all that God has commanded us. He will be with us the whole way in this endeavor, until the very end of time. 

The Blessings of Baptism

Ephesians 5:25-27

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, ²⁶ that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, ²⁷ so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

Blessing: Cleansing

Titus 3:5-7

[God] saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Blessing: Rebirth/regeneration

1 Peter 3:21-22

Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, ²² who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

Blessing: Salvation/clear conscience

Romans 6:1-4

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? ² By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? ³ Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? ⁴ We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Blessing:  Connection with Christ’s death and resurrection; death to sin

Acts 2:37-39

Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

³⁸ And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

Blessing:  Forgiveness of sins; the gift of the Holy Spirit

Notes:

• These blessings are given by God as a promise, and received by a person by faith
• There are no age restrictions to the promises or examples of baptisms that omit the baptism of any age person – old or young.
• Both Lydia and her household, (Acts and the Philippian jailer and his household), were baptized. This would include several generations of the family: grandchildren, children, grandparents, and parents; this is the meaning of the Greek word, “iokos” which is translated “household.”

Ex opere operato is a Latin phrase meaning “from the work performed” and, in reference to sacraments, signifies that they derive their efficacy, not from the minister or recipient, but from the sacrament considered independently of the merits of the minister or the recipient (thank you Wikipedia). But that’s not quite all there is to it. It’s not just that the words are said correctly and the sacrament performed correctly. Without faith the blessings remain in the water. The merits of the minister or the recipient don’t come into play. But faith surely does. Thanks be to God that faith is one of the gifts of baptism! 

Click here for an audio version of this blog post.

When he had finished speaking with Abraham, God went up from him.

²³ On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and all those born in his household or bought with his money, every male in his household, and circumcised them, as God told him. ²⁴ Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised,²⁵ and his son Ishmael was thirteen;²⁶ Abraham and his son Ishmael were both circumcised on that very day.²⁷ And every male in Abraham’s household, including those born in his household or bought from a foreigner, was circumcised with him. – Genesis 17:22-27

The true test of a man’s character is what he does when no one is watching. – John Wooden
Commitment is doing what you said you would, long after the mood you said it in has left. – Various Sources

These two quotes are exemplified by Abraham’s actions once he and God had finished their conversation – or better yet, once God had finished his conversation with Abraham and left.

Abraham was alone. All he had was the word of God. And all he had of that was a repeated promise that he was yet to realize. God had spoken to him. God had made a promise of a son. God had even corrected him in regard to how that promise was to be fulfilled. Well and good. But God had also given him a command. Circumcise all the males in your household. This was to be the sign of the covenant. Personal. Private. Painful. 

And God is gone. We don’t have a clear expression of God’s omniscience at this point in the biblical narrative. God has not revealed himself as redeemer. God has not necessarily even revealed his name. There is no threat either. No, “or else.” No, “if you don’t…” Just a promise and a command. You will have a son. Circumcise all the males of your family. Perhaps here we need to read “family” as “household,” a very extended grouping of people related to Abraham in any manner whatsoever. 

What would move Abraham to do this? What kind of push-back might he receive? How would even the women in his extended family like this idea? Abraham had every reason to ignore God’s command. But he apparently also had a reason to obey it. 

It wasn’t the threat. It wasn’t the fear. It wasn’t a sense of self-punishment. It. Was. Faith. 

All Abraham had was the word of God. And faith. He believed God. He trusted God. It’s not clear that he feared God Though likely he did fear God, there is no obvious evidence that he did. He had the word of God. He had the promise of God. He had the covenant of God. 

God has visited us when Jesus came to earth and dwelt among us. But Jesus has gone. He has given us two greats: The Great Commandment; Love God and love neighbor. The Great Commission: Make disciples of all nations. The only means by which we would do this is by faith. Believing God’s promises. Obeying his commands. Even when no one is watching. 

Click here for an audio version of this blog post.

And God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. ¹⁶ I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.” ¹⁷ Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, “Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” ¹⁸ And Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before you!” ¹⁹ God said, “No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him. ²⁰ As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I have blessed him and will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He shall father twelve princes, and I will make him into a great nation. ²¹ But I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this time next year.” – Genesis 17:15-21

“Adams?” “Here.” “Bahn?” “Here.” Blankenship?” “Here!” “Carter” “She’s not here,” someone offers. So was the roll call in junior high home room. We all had a name and knew to let the teacher know we were present when he called our names for attendance. But there’s far more to a name than a means by which someone can be counted “here” or “absent.”

When someone calls you by name, they are expressing a knowledge of you. They are claiming a place in your life. Demanding your attention. Some names are famous: Luther, Paul, Isaiah, Isaac, Abraham. And now God will name some more who should be famous to us. These instruct us as to the reach of God, and his claim on our attention and lives. And our place in his mind and heart – anthropomorphically-speaking.

In the case of these few verses God names three people beyond Abraham who are written into the story of redemption and who do not escape his gracious and merciful attention. 

First is Sarai, who will now be named, “Sarah.” Both Sarai and Sarah mean princess. Sarah is called by God to give him place in her heart. He is requiring her attendance to the matters at hand. He is also opening himself to her. He has her name on his lips and in his heart and mind – again, – anthropomorphically-speaking. 

Furthermore, God tells Abraham that no one will supplant her in the story of blessing that God is writing in their lives. She, herself, will be the mother of the child of promise. She and Abraham will be parents. They will conceive a child. God will bless her. She will become nations. 

Then Abraham has what he thinks is a better idea. Ishmael could the the promised son! It would be so much easier. No trouble trying to figure out how to conceive at this age. No difficult morning sickness to endure with Sarah at his side. No “new boss” in the home. Ishmael! Let’s go with Ishmael, Abraham says. 

Not to be. But God does not dismiss Ishmael. He dismisses merely Abraham’s plan not Ishmael himself. God has a place for Ishmael in his heart, and in the story of grace, mercy, and blessing that he is writing. God will bless him, and make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He shall father twelve princes, and he will become a great nation. 

Then there is laughing boy. Isaac is the child of promise. He will be born. It will be yet another year. But he will be born. God will establish his covenant with Isaac. 

Perhaps you are an Isaac: a child of God with whom God has established his covenant. Maybe you are a Sarah, one who will yet deliver a gift to the world. Are you a laughing boy, the child of promise, the fruition of your parents’ hopes and dreams? If so, fulfill your destiny and become all God intends for you to become – under his gracious favor – no matter what your name may be. You might be an Ishmael, one who is not part of the covenant, but whom God will bless. Will you receive the invitation to join the covenant of the redeemed? Will you let God put his name on you and make you part of his family? 

Those who are of faith are the children of Abraham, and as such we are eternally blessed. God knows us by name. We are his redeemed and blessed sons and daughters.

You must understand that people who have faith are Abraham’s descendants. ⁸ Scripture saw ahead of time that God would give his approval to non-Jewish people who have faith. So Scripture announced the Good News to Abraham ahead of time when it said, “Through you all the people of the world will be blessed.” ⁹ So people who believe are blessed together with Abraham, the man of faith. – Galatians 3:7-9

Click here for an audio version of this blog post.

And God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. ¹⁶ I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.” ¹⁷ Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, “Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” ¹⁸ And Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before you!” ¹⁹ God said, “No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him. ²⁰ As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I have blessed him and will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He shall father twelve princes, and I will make him into a great nation. ²¹ But I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this time next year.” – Genesis 17:15-21

Whenever I play golf, I quote Psalm 2:4, “He who sits in the heavens laughs.” I say that because I’m not really a good golfer. In fact, I’m a pretty crummy golfer. One year I was committed to improving my game. But it was a lost cause. I even took lessons. Didn’t help very much. So my golf Bible verse is, He who sits in the heavens laughs. He laughs when he sees me playing golf!

Maybe you’ve thought as I did that it was Sarah who first laughed and who therefore triggered the naming of Isaac (his name means, he laughs). Funny thing (pun intended!). I had it wrong. Abraham laughs first. So did Abraham. Sarah will have her time later, and will be called on it. God’s word will be accomplished. What he says happens. From, “Let there be light,” to “You will have a son,” when God speaks, things happen. 

That brings me full circle to the laughter of God as spoken of in Psalm 2. 

Click here for an audio version of this blog post.

And God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. ¹⁶ I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.” ¹⁷ Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, “Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” ¹⁸ And Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before you!” ¹⁹ God said, “No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him. ²⁰ As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I have blessed him and will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He shall father twelve princes, and I will make him into a great nation. ²¹ But I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this time next year.” – Genesis 17:15-21

He laughed out loud. Right in the middle of the sermon. When I told the people that they needed to “repent and believe.” It was quite a moment. Have you ever laughed…at an inappropriate moment? Have you ever laughed because the promise is so remarkable? Have you ever laughed because you didn’t know what else to do? 

Abraham laughs at God’s promise! It’s not clear whether this is public, out loud laughter, or just laughing in his soul, he laughs. I suppose one reason is because he’s heard the promise several times before. When God called him (recorded in Genesis 12) God promises that he will become a great nation. He will bless many nations. Time passes, and there is no child. They take matters into their own hands, but Ishmael is not the child of promise. Another promise. Another waiting period. In fact it will be 25 years between the first promise of a son until Isaac’s birth. What are you going to do when you hear a promise repeated and you’ve waited so long and still you wait? You might laugh.

You may also laugh if the promise seems too fantastic. Too fantastic to be true? Abraham was 75 years old when the first promise was given. He will be 100 when Isaac is born. Sarah will be 90 when Isaac was born. This just doesn’t happen. And, you’ve gotta admit it, a child born to a 100 year old man and a 90 year old woman implies activities that might bring a smile to the face of even the most demur. You gotta be kidding me, right? 

Some people laugh as an emotional outlet for great grief and distress. The pressure mounts and grows. Anxiety builds. Tension is at its maximum. The emotional stress meter is at 11. Something busts the dam, and something has to come out. Will it be laughter or tears? In this case it was laughter. 

But the promises of God are no laughing matter. They are not just reliable. They are more than fantastic. They are profound. They reach into the heart. They impact eternity. They change hearts and lives. And this promise of God will come to pass. It will impact eternity. For not only will Abraham believe God, and trust him, and even pass the test that God gives him, he will be the father of faith. And from him will come the Savior of the world. 

Is there a promise of God that would invite your faith? Your tears? Your laughter? Believe this: God’s promises are absolutely reliable, good, profound, and life-saving. That’s no laughing matter.