In Chapter 18, we see that some time, maybe days or months have passed. Abram is sitting at the door of his tent and three men appear (Gen 18:2). Verse 3 identifies that the three men before Abraham included the Lord (a pre-incarnate visit from Christ...called a Christophany). The other two men (while not specifically identified here), were angels (Heb 13:2).
The birth announcement of Isaac (Gen 18:9-10) was pretty incredible. In fact, we saw yesterday (Gen 17:17) that Abraham laughed at the prospect that he could bear a son. Now we see that Sarah laughed within herself at this announcement. The reason for their disbelief was twofold: There had no success for them in the past. Sarah had tried many times to have a child and was unable. After so many years of desire without success, she had accepted that childbearing was not possible for her. Second, pure physiology dictated that at their age, neither of them were physically able to have children.
Looking back on this from our perspective today and knowing how the story ends, we say "but didn't she take into account all of the evidence? After all, the Lord and two angels are outside the tent eating bread she prepared? Duh! Where is the faith to see what is in front of her?"
It is much easier to toss arrows at Sarah than it is to see our own weaknesses. Everyone of us struggles with a faith response to the Word of God in our own way. The same response we think Sarah should have had (pre-registering at Babies-R-Us) is the response we should have when God tells us something from His Word. (My mind is flooded with commands to trust him and act obediently...)
Sarah was not proud of her disobedient and faithless response within her (Gen 18:15). She knew she was wrong for not believing.
In Gen 18:16-33, Abraham negotiates for mercy in Sodom. Abraham was chosen as God's people to live in righteousness (Gen 18:19). Gen 18:20 tells us that the wickedness of Sodom was complete and exceedingly great. The intent was to deal justly with the wickedness. Abraham knew people in Sodom. It was difficult for him to imagine that they would be destroyed. So he began to negotiate with God. He begins at 50 and moves all the way down to 10. If 10 righteous people are found, will you show mercy? (Gen 18:32).
In Abraham's mind, there must be 10 good people in the midst of the wicked city. Surely there were some there who did not deserve judgment. I meet folks all the time who, when thoughtful, ask the same questions. They cannot understand how a good God could bring judgment against the world. In their minds, man is not as bad is he seems. IN MY EXPERIENCE, we tend to over-estimate man and under-estimate God.
We see in this passage that God is abundantly merciful. He put up with Abraham's questions and he agreed to spare the whole city if only 10 righteous people were found. God does not desire to exercise judgment as though He were vengeful or malicious. He desires to show mercy (as is shown here), but man refuses the mercy of God. We also are confronted with the reality here that God knows much better the condition of the human heart than we can even fathom. God always acts justly toward everyone and everything. When we as a people begin to really grasp that, we will find that there is renewed focus on our calling (Gen 18:19) and on our trust of Him (Gen 18:14-15).
Proverbs 9:4, and Proverbs 9:16 are the takeaways today. Reading this today, I saw that both Wisdom and folly called to the naive. Both beckoned for the naive to turn to them. I was impressed of the battle that goes on every day in every place for the hearts and souls of men. If God would call to the naive, should not we also? If the naive (people we know) are at stake, should we not be part of the battle for their souls. We can be assured that folly will call to them. Everything around us testifies to this. Unfortunately, it seems to me that we (many of us who name the Name of Christ) have become content knowing that we have heard the call of God and have become ambivalent toward those who are naive.
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2 comments:
It's overwhelming to think like Sarah must have felt. To love the Lord and to have become content with the idea that what had been promised was not going to happen. I wonder at some point did they think 'Maybe that wasn't God after all.' Sometimes I let something like time determine for me whether or not God is really speaking. Funny how something like time can help shape who we are and how faithfully we believe. I put time frames on just about everything. Most times God is teaching me to be still and listen. Sarah laughed but I find it interesting that she did not laugh out loud as Abraham had the Chapter before. She laughed on the inside and God knew it and wrote about in this Chapter. Any ideas if this has any significance? Do you think it was maybe a woman thing, like the woman should not speak up on such things. Maybe they were not to speak up or do you think Abraham would have been disappointed in her since he had already been scolded for laughing?
Sodom and Gomorrah.... I love Abraham's compassion for others. He knew there must be good out there. Makes me think that he must have had a pretty good relationship with those around him. He must have a been a good leader and have created a team of great people. This compassion in my opinion speaks volumes about Abraham who is was and where his passion was. :) What a great model for our lives!
Amanda,
Good post. I don't see any significance in her not laughing out loud. In fact, the opposite MIGHT be true. Whether we laugh at God on the inside or laugh at God on the outside, God knows we are laughing at his purpose. It is pretty normal for me to shake my head when God challenges me. He can handle questions and even an inquisitive skepticism. We all ask of God "how can this be" from time to time. However, we do well to remember God's response to the question, "how can this be?" It is, "Is there anything too difficult for the Lord (Gen 18:14). Good post. Liked your take on Abraham's compassion toward Sodom. Had not really thought of it that way...but I certainly can see it now. Thanks.
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