The Lord Appears to Abraham Once Again, and Announces the Time When Isaac, the Promised Son, Would be Born; Sarah At First Laughed at the Idea and Had to be Rebuked by the Lord
Genesis 18:1-15

Lesson 38

background notes

doctrinal points

1. The life of faith is not 100% doubt free.

2. Is anything too hard for the Lord?

 

practical application
1. Do we pass the hospitality test?

 

questions
1. God had promised Abraham and Sarah a child and that all the families of the earth would be blessed through him. But they had no children, so they tried to help God out. How did they do this?

2. What did Abraham do when three men showed up at his tent?

3. Is the life of faith doubt-free?

4. In the context of Genesis 18:14, what does the word “hard” mean?

5. Is anything too hard for the Lord?

answers
1. First, Abraham thought that his servant, Eliezer, would be the heir. Then Sarah gave her maid, Hagar, to Abraham as a concubine to produce an heir.

2. With typical Bedouin hospitality, he urged them to stay for a meal.

3. No. Even with Abraham, the friend of God, there were doubts. And Sarah laughed at the promise of a son. After all, she was 89 at that point. Wouldn’t you have doubted?

4. “Hard” can also be translated as extraordinary, marvelous or wonderful. It is the same word as “wonderful” in the Messianic prophecy of Isaiah 9:6.

5. No, nothing is too hard or wonderful for the Lord to do. Even as with Sarah, He can give you strength beyond your own.

 

discuss / consider
1. Abraham showed hospitality when strangers appeared at his tent. Read Hebrews 13:1-2. Are you entertaining strangers? Perhaps you have entertained angels without knowing it.

2. Sarah laughed, and then denied laughing because of fear, but she is remembered for her faith. Neither Abraham nor Sarah were 100% doubt free, but they are remembered for their faith. See Hebrews 11. Have you had doubts in your Christian life? This need not detract from your faith.

challenge
Are you passing the hospitality test? See Romans 12:13 and 1 Peter 4:9.

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memorize

• “The Lord appeared to Abraham as he was sitting in the tent door...he lifted his eyes and saw three men. He ran to meet them and bowed himself to the ground, saying, ‘Please let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. And I will bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh your hearts.” Genesis 18:1-5

• “Sarah will have a son...She laughed.” Genesis 18:10, 12

• “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” Genesis 18:14