Chapter 2
Believing the Impossible
The Reading: Genesis 12:1-5, 17:1-19, 18:1-15, 21:1-5
The Problem:
Sarai was a woman who had great wealth. She was also described as being exceptionally beautiful, even as she aged. As a matter of fact, because of her beauty, Abraham introduced her when his sister as they traveled, and let her pretend to be so to protect himself from being murdered. Sarah was also blessed to have a good husband, which is something most women even today want most in life.
However, Sarai was missing one thing. She wanted a child. Being childless for so many years, the aging woman had lost hope of ever becoming pregnant.
The Turning Point:
Abraham and Sarai lived in the land of the Chaldees, which is today Iraq. Their hometown was Ur, which was at the mouth of the Euphrates River on the Persian Gulf. It was a thriving port city and all of the trade and wealth from the Persian Sea came through there. It had a sophisticated pagan culture and worship, an efficient government and impressive buildings. According to one estimate, it was the largest city in the world and at the height of its power, wealth and influence when Sarai and Abraham lived there. Thus, they would have enjoyed all of the modern conveniences and comfort such a city afforded.
But then God called Abraham and Sarai to leave Ur for the land of Canaan (today’s Israel), they left a comfortable urban life for one that was difficult and semi-nomadic as they wandered from place to place, searching for grazing land and water for their animals. Abraham must have had to convince Sarah to go because he was asking her to go to a culture not her own and a land that she has never seen and to leave her home, family and friends behind. Can you imagine how the conversation must have started? “Sweetie, I don't know how to tell you this, but God came to me and said we’ve got to pack up and leave. And God said that, if we will do this, I will become the father of a great nation - which means you will finally be a mother."
Scripture remarks repeatedly about how stunningly attractive Sarai was. Wherever she went, she instantly received favor and privilege because of her good looks, but in following Abraham obediently, she demonstrated her inner beauty. She placed her faith in God and His call upon her life to join Abraham in God’s promises, despite the sacrifice, hardship and all of the unknowns.
The Miracle That Followed:
Sarai spent years spent waiting on God to fulfill His promise of a child after a life of barrenness. One year passed and then another and another. Sarai had an amazing trust in God as she continued to cling to the promise that Abraham was going to become a father unto nations, which implied that she would be a mother unto nations.
But as time went by, Sarai began to doubt. When the three angels came and announced and re-affirmed for Abraham the promise for a child, Sarah overheard the promise and laughed. Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh? Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:12-14).
In spite of this stumble of faith, God didn’t punish Sarah, pull away from her, or remove His promise. Instead, he re-affirmed His call on her life by giving her a new name - Sarah. And then she finally became pregnant at age 90 and gave birth to Isaac. I can only imagine what a weight was lifted from Sarah’s heart — all those years of doubt melting away as she gazed at the tiny little hand wrapped around her forefinger. Finally, she could celebrate new life. Sarah experienced the love of God unlike anything she had ever known before.
The Bottom Line:
This story magnifies the truth that nothing is impossible with God and served to constantly remind Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac that God is all-powerful and He is always faithful to keep His promises. Despite both Abraham and Sarah laughing at the prospect that such elderly people could have a child, God kept His promise and brought them both joy and Isaac.
From Sarah and Abraham‘s experience, we learn that when God calls us to a new assignment, He may call us to leave our comfortable existence to move out of our comfort zones and into new places and circumstances.
Another lesson we can learn this account is that God knows the desires of our hearts. God will grant them when they are in line with His Word, and when the timing is right. Just remember that our timing usually isn’t God's timing. Wait on Him patiently, because He is faithful to keep His promises.
