Is anything too hard for the LORD?
Genesis 18:1 - 15
See v1 ~ 2.
1 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. 2 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.
The LORD appeared to Abraham through three men (1, 2a). When Abraham saw them, he hurried to meet them and bowed low to the ground (2b). Abraham recognized the presence of the LORD among three men. Abraham showed reverent fear & respect toward God.
This is why Abraham is called the father of faith. Hebrews 11:1, 2 says
1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for.
Without faith, they were strangers. By faith, they were guests from the above.
By faith, Abraham ‘knew’ the LORD’s presence with confidence & assurance. Due to the spiritual maturity over Genesis 12 to Genesis 17, he relied on what was invisible than only what was seen.
They were in need due to “the heat of the day” in Middle East, so that Abraham might be able to help them, so that their fellowship could begin naturally.
Jesus met a Samaritan woman as a needy person in John 4.
… It was about noon. 7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (John 4:8-7)
Jesus met Simon (Peter) as a needy person in Luke 5:1-11.
3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. (Luke 5:3)
See v3.
3 He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by.
Abraham humbly & sincerely requested them to drop by.
He was eager to encounter and experience God. He wanted God to remain with him so he said, “Please do not pass your servant by.” This is precisely how the church should respond when Jesus knocks to be invited in for fellowship (Matt 25:31-46; John 6:53-58; Rev 3:20; 19:7)[1]. We ought to be receptive and responsive to His visitation. God is sovereign. He does visit His people. He fulfills His plan and program. The only question is: Will He pass us by or will He come down and visit us? Typically, God only stays where He is wanted. He is not like a visiting in-law that forces his way into our home and then wears out his welcome. He wants to visit those that seek Him and desire Him. Today, can you honestly say that you long for God’s appearing [2]?
List those who need your help and at the same time who can help you in God:
Don’t let them pass by but drop by!
See v4 ~ 8.
4 Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. 5 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.”
6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahs of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.”
7 Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. 8 He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.
Here, we see that Abraham did all things described as above without approval from his family member(s). Abraham had confidence & assurance on LORD’s presence. Thus he was certain that this was the way to go. And all his family members were obedient to his leadership. Abraham was as influential as his spiritual maturity. # Note that Sarah called Abraham ‘my lord’ in v12.
Abraham’s hospitality shown here is referred as an example of ‘Golden Rule of Christianity’ written in Matthew 7:12.
12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Hebrews 13:2 says,
2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.
Romans 12:13 also teaches hospitality.
13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Let us learn and practice Abraham’s hospitality!
See v9 ~ 15.
9 “Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him.
“There, in the tent,” he said.
10 Then one of them 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. 11 Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?”
13 Then the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”
15 Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.”
But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.”
When Sarah heard of her giving birth to a son by next year, she laughed.
So, the LORD said
“Is anything too hard for the LORD?” (14a).
Jesus taught Almighy God in Mark 9:23.
23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
Jesus said God is almighty in His prayer in Mark 14:36.
36 “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”
God expects us to believe Almighty God!
Do you have any promise of God that you laugh at due to seeming impossibility & unbelief?
List them here:
Let’s repent unbelief and accept his promise by faith.
References
[1] Waltke, Genesis, 271.
[2] Keith Krell, The Book of Beginnings:Genesis. A Divine Encounter. Genesis 18:1-15
