April 1, 2024 • 43 mins
Blessings to all,
Welcome again, I am Jerry, this portion of our study covers:
GOD REAFFIRMS HIS PROMISE part 2
Once the meal is over, the Lord fully reveals Himself, in a conversation He conducts with Sarah through Abraham while she remains hidden and listening in the tent. First, the Lord asks where Sarah is and then reveals to her what He had said to Abraham in the previous chapter: by this time a year from now she will have a son.
Sarah's response is much the same as Abraham's in the previous chapter: she laughs to herself. Not only was she around 90 years old, we're told that the "way of women" had ceased for her. The phrasing here might suggest the idea of menopause: Sarah is literally "beyond" a woman's normal ability to conceive. She describes herself as worn out and her husband as old.
She cannot imagine having the "pleasure" of a new birth in their season of life. The Lord knows both that Sarah laughed and what she thought about His revelation. He asks Abraham why she laughed.
"Is anything too hard for the LORD?"
Then He repeats the promise of a son at the appointed time. Sarah, likely realizing now that this is God, is afraid. She lies and says that she did not laugh. The Lord corrects her once more, but He does not punish her. In another instance of divine humor, He has already named her child Isaac, which means laughter.
The three men then set out on their journey, walking from Abraham's home near Hebron toward the city of Sodom. Abraham walks with them for a time, until they arrive at a high vantage point from which they can look across and see Sodom. From there, the Lord reveals to Abraham His plan regarding the grave sins of Sodom and Gomorrah.
The implication is that God will bring judgment on those people if their sins were as wicked as He had heard. This, of course, is a figure of speech, since God already knows exactly how sinful these cities are. The reason for this human perspective is revealed in the conversation with Abraham, as Abraham tries to specify just "how wicked" these cities must be to earn God's wrath.
As the two angels walk on toward the city, Abraham begins a kind of negotiation with the Lord. His nephew Lot and his family live in Sodom. Abraham seems to be concerned for them.
He boldly challenges the Lord:
Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked?
Abraham insists that such an action would not be consistent with the Lord's character. The Lord is patient with Abraham as he begins to ask for assurances.
Will you destroy the city if you find 50 righteous people there?
The Lord agrees that He will not. Abraham keeps asking though, lowering the number at which the Lord would willingly destroy righteous people to judge the wicked.
45? 40? 30? 20?
Finally, Abraham asks, with a request that the Lord not be angry, if He would spare the city for the sake of 10 righteous people. Once more, the Lord agrees that He would do so if He finds that many. With that, the Lord heads toward the city, and Abraham walks back home.
Welcome again, I am Jerry, this portion of our study covers:
GOD REAFFIRMS HIS PROMISE part 2
Once the meal is over, the Lord fully reveals Himself, in a conversation He conducts with Sarah through Abraham while she remains hidden and listening in the tent. First, the Lord asks where Sarah is and then reveals to her what He had said to Abraham in the previous chapter: by this time a year from now she will have a son.
Sarah's response is much the same as Abraham's in the previous chapter: she laughs to herself. Not only was she around 90 years old, we're told that the "way of women" had ceased for her. The phrasing here might suggest the idea of menopause: Sarah is literally "beyond" a woman's normal ability to conceive. She describes herself as worn out and her husband as old.
She cannot imagine having the "pleasure" of a new birth in their season of life. The Lord knows both that Sarah laughed and what she thought about His revelation. He asks Abraham why she laughed.
"Is anything too hard for the LORD?"
Then He repeats the promise of a son at the appointed time. Sarah, likely realizing now that this is God, is afraid. She lies and says that she did not laugh. The Lord corrects her once more, but He does not punish her. In another instance of divine humor, He has already named her child Isaac, which means laughter.
The three men then set out on their journey, walking from Abraham's home near Hebron toward the city of Sodom. Abraham walks with them for a time, until they arrive at a high vantage point from which they can look across and see Sodom. From there, the Lord reveals to Abraham His plan regarding the grave sins of Sodom and Gomorrah.
The implication is that God will bring judgment on those people if their sins were as wicked as He had heard. This, of course, is a figure of speech, since God already knows exactly how sinful these cities are. The reason for this human perspective is revealed in the conversation with Abraham, as Abraham tries to specify just "how wicked" these cities must be to earn God's wrath.
As the two angels walk on toward the city, Abraham begins a kind of negotiation with the Lord. His nephew Lot and his family live in Sodom. Abraham seems to be concerned for them.
He boldly challenges the Lord:
Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked?
Abraham insists that such an action would not be consistent with the Lord's character. The Lord is patient with Abraham as he begins to ask for assurances.
Will you destroy the city if you find 50 righteous people there?
The Lord agrees that He will not. Abraham keeps asking though, lowering the number at which the Lord would willingly destroy righteous people to judge the wicked.
45? 40? 30? 20?
Finally, Abraham asks, with a request that the Lord not be angry, if He would spare the city for the sake of 10 righteous people. Once more, the Lord agrees that He would do so if He finds that many. With that, the Lord heads toward the city, and Abraham walks back home.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
What is the Bible? What is it worth? Basic constructions
before leaving Earth. Life is full of struggles and it
is hard, but we are made in the image of God. Lord,
I have to appraise you to the moon and back.
I don't see anything wrong with that. It's mean you health,
it's me you care, it's mean you move, It's me
(00:28):
you group, it's me you touch. I love you so much.
Oh my Lord, I have to say thank you. Open
your eyes. What did you see? Have you inventor with
your life lately? Oh? Yeah, I have something else to say.
Welcome to HBES and dub jaide.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Oh lordy lordya to God goes the glory. God goes
the glory, the glory, glory.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
All right, all right, Welcome.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
To HBS and DWJ. I am your host, Jerry Joyce.
Our mission to provide the knowledge that will trains sisters
and brothers in Christ, to spread God's love and create disciples.
Our vision to share all resources that would aid in
the knowledge for the that would aid in the knowledge
(01:26):
necessary for the building of God's kingdom. The adversary does
not know what to do with those who possess integrity.
We are not human beings on the spiritual journey. On
the contrary, we are spiritual beings on a human journey.
With that being said, we will open this holy bout
a study session up with prayer, So please join in,
(01:50):
Oh Holy eternal Father, Son, Holy Spirit. It is once
again that we're coming to you, as humble as we
know how, confessing that we have far too often wiload
in unbelief. We've doubted your goodness and question your faithfulness.
The truth is that you have never left us nor
forsaken us. In our own sin and selfishness, we may
(02:13):
have turned from you to pursue temporary pleasures that have
only left us empty and wanting. Forgive us, Lord for
our unbelief. Forgive us if we blame you through our actions,
for the pain that our foolish choices have brought into
our life. Today, we choose to recognize our era, and
(02:34):
we ask that you would begin to strengthen our faith
from this moment forward. And we do believe you, God,
so we ask that you help us to overcome our unbelief,
help us to trust you despite our circumstances. Teach us
to believe you for the great things, because you are
(02:55):
a great God. Your word says that it is impossible
or to please you without faith. More than anything, we
desire that our life would bring you pleasure, honor, and glory.
Increase our faith in you, Jesus. We know we still
have so much to learn, so keep teaching us and
(03:16):
we will forever be found at your feet. Thank you
for your continued graces and mercies. We pray these things
in the precious name of Jesus Christ. Amen. All right,
Time for today's giggle box. All right, question, why couldn't
(03:42):
the leopard play hide and go seek? Because he was
always spied at?
Speaker 3 (04:08):
Uh?
Speaker 1 (04:10):
Do you know what time it tears? Do you know
what time it tea? How it is? It is time
for Oh? No, say so? All right? According to inspired
walk dot com, That is inspired walk dot Com. Consequences
(04:32):
of unbelief, let's talk about it, Matthew, Chapter thirteen, verse
fifty eight, New King James version. Now, he did not
do many mighty works there because of their unbelief. All right,
unbelief regarding the things of God. It's a very sad
and dangerous theme. When we do not believe in the
(04:54):
things of God, we are kept from enjoying a relationship
with God. Unbelief also keeps us from a experience in
the promises of God in our lives. Most importantly, when
you do not believe, you are kept from receiving the
salvation of the Lord, to keep you from perishing. Unbelief
can be defined as doubt, lack of faith, or to
(05:17):
presume something to be untrue or fictitious. All right now,
James chapter one, verses six through eight, New King James
version says, but let him ask in faith with no doubting.
For he who doubts is like a wave of the sea,
(05:38):
driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that
man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord.
He is a double minded man, unstable in all his ways.
All right here, James li likens a person who doubts
or has unbelief as somebody who is unstable in all
(05:59):
his ways. James also says that a doubting person will
not receive anything from the Lord. This is exactly what
happened to the people in Jesus's own hometown in Matthew
chapter thirteen, verses fifty three through fifty eight. In the
hometown where Jesus grew up for most of his life,
(06:20):
the people there would not accept or believe his word
or teaching in the synagogue. In fact, they were offended
at him. Therefore, because of their unbelief, Jesus did not
do many mighty works there. The people in his hometown
therefore missed out on several opportunities because of their unbelief,
(06:43):
and the unbelief blinded them from the following. First of all,
they were blinded from having a relationship and fellowship with Jesus.
They were blinded from knowing the truth of God's word. Secondly,
and thirdly, they were blinded from experiencing the power of
God in their lives. And four they were blinded from
(07:08):
being delivered from their personal problems. All right now, unbelief
in God or the things of God, therefore has terrible
consequences in the life of a person. It can lead
to misery, lack of direction, lack of spiritual discernment, and
even eternal punishment. Atheists, for example, lack a belief in God. Also,
(07:30):
people who follow other religions or cults lack of belief
in the fact that Jesus is the only way to heaven.
According to John chapter fourteen, verse six. Now in Matthew
chapter thirteen, verse fifty seven. The unbelief of the people
in Christ and what he speaks or what he spoke
led the people to become offended at him. Matthew Chapter thirteen,
(07:54):
verse fifty seven says, So they were offended at him,
But Jesus said to them, a prophet is not without
honor except in his own country and in his own house. Therefore,
many people who have unbelief in God or Christianity are
offended and resistant to Christ or the truth of God's word.
(08:19):
Where do you stand in your life?
Speaker 3 (08:20):
HM?
Speaker 1 (08:21):
Do you resist Jesus Christ? Hum? Do you have unbelief
towards Jesus and the things of God? HM? What is
of interest about Jesus throughout his ministry is that he
did not force the Gospel on people. He did not
try to force people to believe. God still gives you
the option to choose between right and wrong or good
(08:44):
and evil. All right. Dudonomy chapter thirty, verse nineteen, New
King James version. I call heaven and Earth as witnesses
today against you that I have set before you life
and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore, choose life, that both
you and your descendants may live. Everyone has a choice.
(09:08):
Is it faith or unbelief? Is it light or darkness?
Is it the word of God or the word of
the world. Is it God or the devil? What and
who do you choose to believe? Do you want to
be a Christian or a follower of Jesus Christ? Huh?
All right, let's talk about acknowledgment. Acknowledge. Romans chapter three,
(09:31):
verse twenty three says, for all have sinned and fall
short of the glory of God. This means that we
all have broken God's laws and God's ten commandments, like
those mentioned in Exodus chapter twenty, verses one through seventeen,
for example, if you told a lie, if you stole something,
if you have lusted after somebody or coveted. This means
(09:52):
we all give of breaking at least one or more
of God's ten commandments. Breaking God's ten commandments may us sinners,
and the fact that we are sinners who have broken
God's law or commandments means that we are accountable to God,
who is the lord giver. Romans chapter six, verse twenty
(10:12):
three says that the wages of sin is death, but
the free gift of God is eternal life. In Christ,
Jesus our Lord. So we must acknowledge that we are
sinners who has broken God's commandments, and that we therefore
need Jesus in our life. All right, Let's talk about repentance.
(10:33):
Luke Chapter thirteen, verse three says, unless you repent, you
will all likewise perish. All right. Acts chapter three, verse
nineteen says, repent therefore, and be converted that your sins
may be blooted out. Repenting means to change our mind,
a sincere turny in our heart, mind and action. Therefore,
(10:58):
God wants us to age our mind about sinful values,
of sinful living and of sinful living. And God wants
us to decide to follow him and to make Jesus
Christ the lord of our lives. All right or our
life rather? All right? Now, let's talk about confession. Romans
(11:19):
Ter ten, verse nine says that if you confess with
your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart
that God has raised him from the dead, you will
be saved. First. John chapter one, verse nine says, if
we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to
forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
(11:44):
God is a forgiving god. And God will forgive any
sin that we have done, because Jesus died for all
of our sins and to set us free from the
bondage of all types of sin in our life. All right,
let's talk about belief. John chapter three, sixteen. John chapter three,
verse sixteen says, for God so loved the world that
(12:07):
he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in
him should not perish but have ever lasting life. Now
we must believe that only Jesus can save us and
restore our relationship with God. And we must believe that
Jesus is the only way by which we can have
ever lasting life and escape from eternal separation from God.
(12:30):
We must believe that Jesus died on a cross for
us and resurrected from the grave. Now, John chapter one,
verse twelve says, but as many as received him to them,
he gave the right to become children of God, even
to those who believe in his name. Now, through faith,
(12:52):
we must receive Jesus as our Lord and savior, and
therefore we become a child of God. We become born again,
and we become a Christian, and we restore our broken
relationship with God. Now, why not make our eternal decision
now we become born again Christians by grace, through faith
(13:14):
or total trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and savior.
Galatians chapter three, verse twenty six and Ephesians Chapter two,
Verses eight and nine. Salvation is a free gift received
through faith in Christ. All right, blessings to all, Welcome again.
(13:36):
I am Jerry, And this portion of our study covers.
God reaffirms his promise. Part two. Once the meal is over,
the Lord fully reveals himself in a conversation he conducts
with Sarah through Abraham while she remains hidden and listening
in the tent. First, the Lord asks where is where
(14:00):
Sarah is, and then reveals to her what he has
said to Abraham in the previous chapter. By this time,
a year from now, she will have a son. Sarah's
response is much the same as Abraham's in the previous chapter.
She laughs to herself. Not only was she around ninety.
Speaker 3 (14:20):
Years old, we're told that the way.
Speaker 1 (14:23):
Of women had ceased for her now. The phrasing here
might suggest the idea of menopause. Sarah is literally beyond
a woman's normal ability to conceive. She describes herself as
worn out and her husband as old. She cannot imagine
having the pleasure of a new birth in their.
Speaker 3 (14:46):
Season of life.
Speaker 1 (14:47):
The Lord knows both that Sarah laugh and what she
thought about his revelation. He asked Abraham why she laughed?
Is anything too hard for the Lord? Then he peached
the promise of a son at that appointed time. Sarah,
likely realizing now that this is God, is afraid. She
(15:09):
lies and says she did not laugh. The Lord corrects
her once more, but he does not punish me. In
another instance of divine humor, he has already named her
child Isaac, which means laughter now. The three men then
set out on their journey, walking from Abraham's home near
Hebrew towards the city of.
Speaker 4 (15:32):
Soldom.
Speaker 1 (15:33):
Abraham walks with them for a time until they arrive
at a high vantage point from which they can look
across and see Soldom. From there, the Lord reveals to
his uh to Abram his plans regarding you know, the
grave sins of Solom and Gomorrah. But we'll cover that
in another chapter, in another lesson. I don't want to
(15:55):
get too far too deep into that right now. And
but with that being said, our scripture would be coming
from Genesis chapter eighteen, verses nine through sixteen. King James version.
(16:17):
That is Genesis chapter eighteen, verses nine through sixteen. King
James version.
Speaker 3 (16:26):
All right, let's read.
Speaker 1 (16:40):
Uh y us.
Speaker 4 (16:50):
They said under him, where is Sarah my wife? And
he said, behold in the tenth and he said.
Speaker 5 (17:00):
I will certainly return unto THEE according to the time
of life, and lo, Sarah.
Speaker 4 (17:05):
Thy wife, shall have a son. And Sarah heard it
in the tent door, which was behind him. Now, Abraham
and Sarah were old and well stricken in age, and
it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.
Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, after I am waxed old,
(17:26):
shall I have pleasure my Lord? Being old also? And
the Lord said, unto Abraham.
Speaker 5 (17:33):
Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, shall I have a surety
bear a child.
Speaker 4 (17:38):
Which am old?
Speaker 5 (17:40):
Is anything too hard for the Lord at the time appointed,
I will return unto THEE according to the time of life, and.
Speaker 4 (17:48):
Sarah shall have a son. Then Sarah denied, saying I
loved not, for she was afraid. And he said nay,
But thou didst laugh. And the men rose up from
thence looked towards Sodom, and Abraham went with them to
bring them on the way.
Speaker 1 (18:09):
All right, now that we have gotten through our versus,
it's time for our verse breakdown, and we'll start that
with Genesis chapter eighteen, verse nine. That is Genesis chapter eighteen,
(18:31):
verse nine. All right. And they said, unto him, world
is Sarah thy wife? And he said, behold in the tenth. Now,
in the culture of that day, it is not customary
for a man to inquire about the wife of another man. Therefore,
Abraham is probably curious about the inquiry we see here.
(18:54):
Perhaps there is something about these men that causes Abraham
to accept the question. Replies that she is indeed in
the tent. All right. Now. In the prior verses, Abraham
arranged a large meal for three unexpected visitors. His actions
exhibit generosity, humility, and grace. Whether or not Abraham knew
(19:19):
these men where God and two angels in human form
is unknown. However, the fact will become obvious as they
continue their conversation. All right, starting here in verse nine,
Abraham's visitors have finished the meal and begin to reveal
the purpose of their visit. Their fresh question shows they
(19:40):
know more about Abraham than they have let on. And
they know of his wife, Sarah, and they ask where
she is. Abraham replies that Sarah is in the tent.
We will soon learn that she is listening intently to
this interaction. As with other questions asked by God or
his messengers, their purpose is not to gain information. God
(20:05):
and his companions know exactly where Sarah is. And yet,
just as parents often ask children questions in order to
clarify ideas, God has a habit of using questions rather
than statements, in order to force a man to acknowledge
his situation. This is in the Quarters where Jens chapter three,
verse nine, as well as Acts chapter nine, verse four.
(20:28):
All right, let's move it along to Genesis chapter eighteen,
verse ten. And he said, I will certainly return unto
thee according to the time of life. And lo Sarah,
thy wife should have a son. And Sarah heard it
in the tent door, which was behind him. One of
the guests speaks, and in doing so, he states that
(20:49):
he would return later. Opinions vary on the figure of
speech and according to the time of life used to
described when the when the return will occur. All right, now,
one view is that it would be at the beginning
of another year from the present moment. Another opinion is
(21:13):
that it will be when the dormancy of winter is
changing to the new life of spring. Now Romans chapter nine,
verse nine offers the translation at this time will I come,
But this doesn't help help much in pointing to one
(21:33):
interpretation over the other. All right now Genesis chapter eighteen,
verse one implies that this conversation takes place in the
heat of summer, so the interpretation of the timing of
the promise return vary by only a few months in
any case. Now, as the special guest continues, Sarah has
(21:55):
positioned herself on the other side of the tenth flap
and directly behind the one who is speaking all right now.
What she overhears as a shocking statement to one of
her age, for the man announces that at the time
(22:17):
of his return, she will have a son. In the
priud version, these visitors asked where Sarah was, knowing that
these men are God and two angels, this question is
really for Abraham's benefit, not their own. Here God speaks
to Abraham about Sarah was full with a deep, full
acknowledge that she is listening and the Lord repeats what
(22:40):
he has said to Abraham in the previous chapter. This time, though,
he speaks in a way that Sarah will be sure
to hear. God announces, and Sarah clearly hears that she
will have a son by this time next year, when
the Lloyd plans to be able to turn visit. Hearing
such an announcement would clearly confirmed for Abraham that this
(23:01):
was the Lord who has made the same promise to
him in the previous chapter. Sarah, though, seems to be
hearing this promise for the first time. Most likely Abraham
had not told her what God had revealed to him
in the priory in County. Sarah's initial reaction would be
similar to Abraham's. Given her life long, barrenness and advanced age,
(23:24):
she will laugh at the suggestion of having a natural
born child. All right, now, let's move it along to
Genesis chapter eighteen, verse eleven. Now Abraham and Sarah was
we're old and well stricken in age, and it ceased
to be with Sarah after the manner of winning. All right, Now,
at this point, Abraham is ninety nine and Sarah is
(23:46):
eighty nine years of age. Sarah's age means that she
is no longer experiencing the mouthless cycle that is associated
with the ability to conceive children. And we may compare
the life situation of these two with that of Zachariz
(24:09):
and Elizabeth in Luke Chapter one, verses five through seven.
Abraham and Sarah were around one hundred and ninety years old, respectively.
Given the long lifespans of early mankind in Genesis chapter five,
it stands to reason that people of Abraham's era continue
to have children later than they do today. Now, at
(24:33):
the time, the text spells out that they were definitely
considered old. At this point in human history, ninety year
old people were not thought of as young by any
stretch of the imagination. In addition, not only has Sarah
been bearing for her entire life, she has also passed menopause. Now,
as the English Standard version puts it, the way of
(24:58):
women has ceased to be with her now by every measure,
then it would be physically impossible for Sarah to conceive
and bury a child. Only God could cause such a
thing to happen at this point in her life. That,
of course, is exactly what it is about to happen.
Sarah is listening from inside the tent as Abraham converses
(25:23):
with the three strangers according to Genesis chapter eighteen, verses
nine and ten, and these men are actually God in
human form, along with two angels, and their prophecies to
Abraham echoed the same guarantee given to Abraham alone in
an earlier encounter. And Sarah will become pregnant. All right, now,
(25:49):
let's move it along to Genesis chapter eighteen, verse twelve. Therefore,
Sarah laughed within herself, saying, after I am waxed old,
shall I have played my lord being old? Also, Sarah
quickly evaluates the announcement by the stranger to be preposterous,
and this prompts a silent laughter within herself to burst
(26:15):
forth in laughter would reveal that she is eavesdropping on
the conversation of the men. Now, Sarah is fully aware
that both she and her husband are waxed old. Right now,
to her, it is quite unreasonable to think that she
(26:38):
can conceive and bear a child. And you know, you
can compare this information in Romans chapter four, verses seventeen
and nineteen. Therefore, both Abraham's laughter of delight and the
laughter of Sarah's doubt are reflected in the name of
their son to be born. Now, at some point, Sarah's
(26:59):
doubt gives way to faith, since Hebrews chapter eleven versus
eleven says through faith, Sarah also herself conf received strength
to conceive seed and was delivered of a child when
she was past age because she judged him faithful who
had promised. Right now, standing in the nearby tenth, Sarah
(27:20):
has heard the Lord's statement that by this time next
year she would have a son. Now, it's unclear whether
or not Sarah understood at this point that it was
the Lord's speaking. Now, what Sarah did understand is that
she had been bearing her entire life unable to conceive
a child with Abraham. Now, at the age of ninety
(27:41):
or so, she has passed many pause, and some commentators
suggest that she and Abraham or about one hundred himself,
had long since stopped even having intercourse. So all of
the evidence of Sarah's life told her having a baby
was impossible. So her initial response to the idea was
(28:03):
the same as Abrahams had been. Sarah laughed in, unbelieved. Now,
the response seems entirely understandable to us. The Lord, however,
would gently rebuke her for it in the following verses,
and that rebuke, in a humorously ironic way, will include
(28:25):
the name of the child she is about to conceive,
whose name is Isaac, meaning he laughs. So Isaac the
name means he laughs. All right, Now, let's move it
along to Genesis chapter eighteen, verse thirteen. And the Lord said,
unto Abraham, world wore did Sarah laugh? Say? Shall I of? Sure?
(28:47):
They bear a child which am old? Now, the most
important fact of this verse is that the speaker is
now designated as the Lord. Now, when the four letters
of this word are all capital letters, it indicates that
(29:07):
this is the divine Yahweh or Yahweh. The speaker is
the Lord himself, and he is the special messenger from heaven.
Some scholars believe that this is a manifestation of God
the Sun before he is born as a babe in Bethlehem,
known as Christ, our Lord, and see you. But the
(29:32):
special nature of this messenger is seen in the bold
pronouncement and in being able to know the unexpressed thoughts
and silent laughter of several Now, the three guests were
earlier called men in Genesis chapter eighteen, verse two, and
then Hebrews chapter thirteen, Verse two uses the term angels.
(29:58):
The word angel can mean messenger, and that is the
situation here. The message has been, you know, relate. Sarah
is listening from the nearby tenth as her husband Abraham
converses with these uh with the three strangers. These men
(30:18):
are actually God and two angels disguised in human form.
All right, now, the strict approach to hospitality practice in
that era would have applied to every aspect of this event.
In part, that probably meant Sarah would have been eavesdropping,
or would not have been or should not have been eavesdropping. Rather, now,
(30:39):
it certainly would have meant that laughing at something guest said,
unless it was intented as a joke, could have been
seen as impolite. And since the details of this passage
are brief, we don't know if Abraham and the three
men could hear Sarah laugh in response to the idea
of her having a baby. It is possible that god
(31:00):
divine awareness that she laughed to herself served as evidence
that this was indeed the Lord in human form outside
of her tent. Now, the text itself gives us no
way to know for sure. In either case, the Lord
asked Abraham why Sarah had laughed in unbelief about the idea. Now,
(31:22):
this would have been an awkward question for Abraham to answer,
since his response to this same news was similar in
Genesis chapter seventeen, verse seventeen. Now let's move it along
to Genesis chapter eighteen, verse fourteen. Is anything too hard
for the Lord at the time of point that I
(31:43):
would return unto thee according to the time of life,
and Sarah shall have a son right now? The Lord's
responses continued with a rhetorical question and an affirmation. Now
the thrust of the question is anything too hard for
the Lord is repeated in different circumstances in both the
(32:04):
Old and New Testaments. As a question, we see it
in Jeremiah chapter thirty two, verse twenty seven, and as
a statement, and we see it in Jeremiah chapter thirty two,
verse seventeen, Matthew chapter nineteen, verse twenty six, Luke chapter one,
verse thirty seven, and Romans chapter four, verse twenty one.
(32:27):
Right now, the difficult statement I will return to the
according to the time of life is identical in Hebrew
to the one found in Genesis chapter eighteen, verse ten. Above. Yeah, Well,
what I mentioned earlier, except for the added word certainly
(32:49):
here all right now. E's dropping on a conversation Sarah.
Here's God, temporarily in human form, predict that she will
help a child's son all right now, giving her lifelong
barrenness and the fact that she and her husband were
(33:10):
both over ninety years old, Her and mediate responses to
laugh and disbelief. Now gently chiding that reaction, the Lord
asked a rhetorical question of Abraham and Sarah, demanding a
one word answer. No, anything which power can do, God's
power can uncomfortable. God is calling Sarah and Abraham to
(33:34):
believe that He would do a seemingly impossible thing for them.
The Lord's question is one that resonates for every person
who struggles to trust God in difficult time. In difficult times,
God give great and precious promises to those who trust
in Christ. According to Second Peter, Versus one, Chapter one,
(33:55):
verse four, often it feels quite unlikely that such things
as God's empowerment, his confidence, and even eternal life could
ever happen for us? Is anything too hard for the Lord?
To emphasize that nothing is too hard for him, the
Lord repeats his promise once more, Sarah will have a
son when the Lord visits them at the appointed time
(34:18):
the following year. All right, now, let's move it along
to Genesis chapter eighteen, verse fifteen. Then Sarah denied, saying
I laughed, not for she was afraid. And she said nay,
And he said nay. But thou didst laugh. Sarah reacts
with a fever attempt to defend herself. Perhaps she rationalizes
(34:41):
that there has been no audible laughter, But God knows
a person's heart, and thoughts that we can find this
information out in Matthew chapter nine, verse four, as well
as chapter twelve, verse twenty five. Now the Lord and
Sarah have been having a conversation without even looking at
each other, and the Lord has been speaking to Abraham
(35:07):
fully aware that Sarah behind him inside of the tent
is hearing every word. Now, in this conversation, he has
told Abraham for the second time, Sarah for the first,
that she will have a son by this time next year.
When Sarah laughed at the idea, the Lord reveals to
her he knew she laughed to herself, and he even
knew her thoughts. He revealed that he was the Lord
(35:30):
and that nothing was too hard for him, and that
she would have a son. Now, oddly, Sarah chooses to
deny that she laugh. This silly life feels beside the
point when the Lord has told her that she will
miraculously have a baby in a year's time. Now the
Lord repeats that she did laugh. And yet we're told
(35:53):
Sarah was afraid. Perhaps she thought the Lord may punish
her in some way for her unbelieving laughter, or for
listening in on the conversation in which she was not
explicitly involved. He does not condemn her though the fact,
as God revealed to Abraham in the previous chapter when
(36:13):
Abraham also left at such an idea, their sons joyful
name would be Isaac, which means laughter. Now this name
not only in vokes happiness, it also serves as a subtle,
almost playful rebuke on Abraham and Sarah's mutual doubt. All right,
let's moving it on to last, but not least Genesis
(36:34):
chapter eighteen, verse sixteen. And the men rose up from
thence and looked towards Sodom, and Abraham went with them
to bring them on the way. Now Abraham didn't have
a frank gate, so he walked out with them a
little farther than where frank Gate would be to bid
them goodbye. And as they walked out from where Abraham lived,
(36:58):
they could look down on them in Gomorrow. All right. Now,
Abraham walked out of ways with these guests, and down
below there they saw Soldom and Gomorrow, and they were
the great resorts of that day. Solomon Gomori were, and
they must have been very delightful and beautiful places to
be at the time. Now the three men returned to
(37:22):
their mystery, mysterious journey. As a good host. Seeing his guest,
or Abraham walks with them for some distance, and they
would have walked throughout the hills or through the hills
near Hebron, and came to and come to a good
spot for glimps in the city of Soldom in the distance.
(37:43):
All right, this city, like Gomorra, had already been established,
and it has established a reputation for morrow depravity. And
when we saw him last in Jenesus chapter fourteen, Abraham's
nephew Lot had been rescued from foreign invaders and turned
to his home in Solton. Now Lutch place in that
(38:05):
town will become central to the rest of this chapter.
All right, do you have the complexion for the protection.
It is now time for our life reflection, all right.
In Genesis chapter eighteen, verse fourteen, is there anything too
(38:28):
hard for the Lord? The obvious answer is of course not,
of course not. This question reveals much about God, and
make it a habit to insert your specific needs into
this question. Is this day in my life too hard
for the Lord? Is this habit I'm trying to break
(38:48):
too hard for the Lord? Is this communication problem having
too hard for him? Asking the question this way reminds
us that God has personally involved in our life and
nudges us to ask for his power to help us now.
In Genesis chapter eighteen, verse fifteen, Sarah lied because she
was afraid of being discovered. Fear is the most common
(39:10):
motive for lying, and we are afraid that our inner
thoughts and emotions will be exposed or our wrong doings
discovered by lying. But lying causes greater complications than telling
the truth and brings even more problems. So we will
be far better off telling the truth, no matter how
(39:33):
hard it is for us. Right from the story, all right,
but for now, this is what God reaffirms his promise.
Part two is all about all right? Now with that
being said, we would close out with prayer. Heavenly Father, Son,
(39:55):
Holy Spirit, thank you for blessing us with another building
block from the this Holy Bible study session. Lord Jesus,
we thank you for your love. We thank you that
you died on the cross for us and resurrected so
that we may have eternal life through you. We confess Lord,
(40:15):
that we have sinned against you and broken your laws
and commandments. Today we ask you to forgive us of
all our sins, past, present and future. And today we
repent and we've decided to follow you. Thank you for
forgiving all of our sins. From this moment, come into
(40:35):
our life, Lord Jesus, and take full control of it.
We want to follow you, Jesus, and we want to
follow your ways, save and make us a new creation
in you. We receive you, Lord Jesus right now by faith.
We trust you as our Lord and save you. Thank
(40:55):
you for your continue graces and mercies, Oh Lord, our
strength and our Redeemer. We continue to pray these things
by believing, trusting, and loving you, Oh Holy eternal Father Son,
Holy Spirit. That's always in the precious name of Jesus
the Christ, the Messiah, we pray Amen. Thank you for
(41:16):
tuning in. Please stay tuned for the discussion portion of
the show. You can message us at seven zero four
four one two eight six nine two. That is seven
zero four four one two eight six nine two. I
would like to thank our Heart Radio for this opportunity.
And you can find HBS and DWJ podcast most anywhere
(41:37):
you receive your podcast. And you can find HBS and
DWJ on our website at God in our Lives Everyday
dot com that is God in our Lives Everyday dot com,
or just hashtag HBS and DWJ. That's hashtag HBS the
end sign DWJ. Feel free to check out the HBS
(42:00):
DWJ store and God in our Lives Everyday dot com.
And if you want to bless this ministry with a donation,
you can do so by cash app at the money
sign capital h BS lowercase A N D, capital D
lowercase W, capital J. And if you want to, you
(42:24):
could also make a donation through PayPal with the at
sign HBS and d w J. And that is the
at sign capital h B S lowercase A, n D,
(42:44):
capital D lower case W and capital J. All right,
remember to put God first, and everything else will follow.
Appreciate your steps in life. They are the reason you
can look back at where you came from. To God
goes the glory, The glory, glory,
What is the Bible? What is it worth? Basic constructions
before leaving Earth. Life is full of struggles and it
is hard, but we are made in the image of God. Lord,
I have to appraise you to the moon and back.
I don't see anything wrong with that. It's mean you health,
it's me you care, it's mean you move, It's me
(00:28):
you group, it's me you touch. I love you so much.
Oh my Lord, I have to say thank you. Open
your eyes. What did you see? Have you inventor with
your life lately? Oh? Yeah, I have something else to say.
Welcome to HBES and dub jaide.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Oh lordy lordya to God goes the glory. God goes
the glory, the glory, glory.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
All right, all right, Welcome.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
To HBS and DWJ. I am your host, Jerry Joyce.
Our mission to provide the knowledge that will trains sisters
and brothers in Christ, to spread God's love and create disciples.
Our vision to share all resources that would aid in
the knowledge for the that would aid in the knowledge
(01:26):
necessary for the building of God's kingdom. The adversary does
not know what to do with those who possess integrity.
We are not human beings on the spiritual journey. On
the contrary, we are spiritual beings on a human journey.
With that being said, we will open this holy bout
a study session up with prayer, So please join in,
(01:50):
Oh Holy eternal Father, Son, Holy Spirit. It is once
again that we're coming to you, as humble as we
know how, confessing that we have far too often wiload
in unbelief. We've doubted your goodness and question your faithfulness.
The truth is that you have never left us nor
forsaken us. In our own sin and selfishness, we may
(02:13):
have turned from you to pursue temporary pleasures that have
only left us empty and wanting. Forgive us, Lord for
our unbelief. Forgive us if we blame you through our actions,
for the pain that our foolish choices have brought into
our life. Today, we choose to recognize our era, and
(02:34):
we ask that you would begin to strengthen our faith
from this moment forward. And we do believe you, God,
so we ask that you help us to overcome our unbelief,
help us to trust you despite our circumstances. Teach us
to believe you for the great things, because you are
(02:55):
a great God. Your word says that it is impossible
or to please you without faith. More than anything, we
desire that our life would bring you pleasure, honor, and glory.
Increase our faith in you, Jesus. We know we still
have so much to learn, so keep teaching us and
(03:16):
we will forever be found at your feet. Thank you
for your continued graces and mercies. We pray these things
in the precious name of Jesus Christ. Amen. All right,
Time for today's giggle box. All right, question, why couldn't
(03:42):
the leopard play hide and go seek? Because he was
always spied at?
Speaker 3 (04:08):
Uh?
Speaker 1 (04:10):
Do you know what time it tears? Do you know
what time it tea? How it is? It is time
for Oh? No, say so? All right? According to inspired
walk dot com, That is inspired walk dot Com. Consequences
(04:32):
of unbelief, let's talk about it, Matthew, Chapter thirteen, verse
fifty eight, New King James version. Now, he did not
do many mighty works there because of their unbelief. All right,
unbelief regarding the things of God. It's a very sad
and dangerous theme. When we do not believe in the
(04:54):
things of God, we are kept from enjoying a relationship
with God. Unbelief also keeps us from a experience in
the promises of God in our lives. Most importantly, when
you do not believe, you are kept from receiving the
salvation of the Lord, to keep you from perishing. Unbelief
can be defined as doubt, lack of faith, or to
(05:17):
presume something to be untrue or fictitious. All right now,
James chapter one, verses six through eight, New King James
version says, but let him ask in faith with no doubting.
For he who doubts is like a wave of the sea,
(05:38):
driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that
man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord.
He is a double minded man, unstable in all his ways.
All right here, James li likens a person who doubts
or has unbelief as somebody who is unstable in all
(05:59):
his ways. James also says that a doubting person will
not receive anything from the Lord. This is exactly what
happened to the people in Jesus's own hometown in Matthew
chapter thirteen, verses fifty three through fifty eight. In the
hometown where Jesus grew up for most of his life,
(06:20):
the people there would not accept or believe his word
or teaching in the synagogue. In fact, they were offended
at him. Therefore, because of their unbelief, Jesus did not
do many mighty works there. The people in his hometown
therefore missed out on several opportunities because of their unbelief,
(06:43):
and the unbelief blinded them from the following. First of all,
they were blinded from having a relationship and fellowship with Jesus.
They were blinded from knowing the truth of God's word. Secondly,
and thirdly, they were blinded from experiencing the power of
God in their lives. And four they were blinded from
(07:08):
being delivered from their personal problems. All right now, unbelief
in God or the things of God, therefore has terrible
consequences in the life of a person. It can lead
to misery, lack of direction, lack of spiritual discernment, and
even eternal punishment. Atheists, for example, lack a belief in God. Also,
(07:30):
people who follow other religions or cults lack of belief
in the fact that Jesus is the only way to heaven.
According to John chapter fourteen, verse six. Now in Matthew
chapter thirteen, verse fifty seven. The unbelief of the people
in Christ and what he speaks or what he spoke
led the people to become offended at him. Matthew Chapter thirteen,
(07:54):
verse fifty seven says, So they were offended at him,
But Jesus said to them, a prophet is not without
honor except in his own country and in his own house. Therefore,
many people who have unbelief in God or Christianity are
offended and resistant to Christ or the truth of God's word.
(08:19):
Where do you stand in your life?
Speaker 3 (08:20):
HM?
Speaker 1 (08:21):
Do you resist Jesus Christ? Hum? Do you have unbelief
towards Jesus and the things of God? HM? What is
of interest about Jesus throughout his ministry is that he
did not force the Gospel on people. He did not
try to force people to believe. God still gives you
the option to choose between right and wrong or good
(08:44):
and evil. All right. Dudonomy chapter thirty, verse nineteen, New
King James version. I call heaven and Earth as witnesses
today against you that I have set before you life
and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore, choose life, that both
you and your descendants may live. Everyone has a choice.
(09:08):
Is it faith or unbelief? Is it light or darkness?
Is it the word of God or the word of
the world. Is it God or the devil? What and
who do you choose to believe? Do you want to
be a Christian or a follower of Jesus Christ? Huh?
All right, let's talk about acknowledgment. Acknowledge. Romans chapter three,
(09:31):
verse twenty three says, for all have sinned and fall
short of the glory of God. This means that we
all have broken God's laws and God's ten commandments, like
those mentioned in Exodus chapter twenty, verses one through seventeen,
for example, if you told a lie, if you stole something,
if you have lusted after somebody or coveted. This means
(09:52):
we all give of breaking at least one or more
of God's ten commandments. Breaking God's ten commandments may us sinners,
and the fact that we are sinners who have broken
God's law or commandments means that we are accountable to God,
who is the lord giver. Romans chapter six, verse twenty
(10:12):
three says that the wages of sin is death, but
the free gift of God is eternal life. In Christ,
Jesus our Lord. So we must acknowledge that we are
sinners who has broken God's commandments, and that we therefore
need Jesus in our life. All right, Let's talk about repentance.
(10:33):
Luke Chapter thirteen, verse three says, unless you repent, you
will all likewise perish. All right. Acts chapter three, verse
nineteen says, repent therefore, and be converted that your sins
may be blooted out. Repenting means to change our mind,
a sincere turny in our heart, mind and action. Therefore,
(10:58):
God wants us to age our mind about sinful values,
of sinful living and of sinful living. And God wants
us to decide to follow him and to make Jesus
Christ the lord of our lives. All right or our
life rather? All right? Now, let's talk about confession. Romans
(11:19):
Ter ten, verse nine says that if you confess with
your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart
that God has raised him from the dead, you will
be saved. First. John chapter one, verse nine says, if
we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to
forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
(11:44):
God is a forgiving god. And God will forgive any
sin that we have done, because Jesus died for all
of our sins and to set us free from the
bondage of all types of sin in our life. All right,
let's talk about belief. John chapter three, sixteen. John chapter three,
verse sixteen says, for God so loved the world that
(12:07):
he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in
him should not perish but have ever lasting life. Now
we must believe that only Jesus can save us and
restore our relationship with God. And we must believe that
Jesus is the only way by which we can have
ever lasting life and escape from eternal separation from God.
(12:30):
We must believe that Jesus died on a cross for
us and resurrected from the grave. Now, John chapter one,
verse twelve says, but as many as received him to them,
he gave the right to become children of God, even
to those who believe in his name. Now, through faith,
(12:52):
we must receive Jesus as our Lord and savior, and
therefore we become a child of God. We become born again,
and we become a Christian, and we restore our broken
relationship with God. Now, why not make our eternal decision
now we become born again Christians by grace, through faith
(13:14):
or total trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and savior.
Galatians chapter three, verse twenty six and Ephesians Chapter two,
Verses eight and nine. Salvation is a free gift received
through faith in Christ. All right, blessings to all, Welcome again.
(13:36):
I am Jerry, And this portion of our study covers.
God reaffirms his promise. Part two. Once the meal is over,
the Lord fully reveals himself in a conversation he conducts
with Sarah through Abraham while she remains hidden and listening
in the tent. First, the Lord asks where is where
(14:00):
Sarah is, and then reveals to her what he has
said to Abraham in the previous chapter. By this time,
a year from now, she will have a son. Sarah's
response is much the same as Abraham's in the previous chapter.
She laughs to herself. Not only was she around ninety.
Speaker 3 (14:20):
Years old, we're told that the way.
Speaker 1 (14:23):
Of women had ceased for her now. The phrasing here
might suggest the idea of menopause. Sarah is literally beyond
a woman's normal ability to conceive. She describes herself as
worn out and her husband as old. She cannot imagine
having the pleasure of a new birth in their.
Speaker 3 (14:46):
Season of life.
Speaker 1 (14:47):
The Lord knows both that Sarah laugh and what she
thought about his revelation. He asked Abraham why she laughed?
Is anything too hard for the Lord? Then he peached
the promise of a son at that appointed time. Sarah,
likely realizing now that this is God, is afraid. She
(15:09):
lies and says she did not laugh. The Lord corrects
her once more, but he does not punish me. In
another instance of divine humor, he has already named her
child Isaac, which means laughter now. The three men then
set out on their journey, walking from Abraham's home near
Hebrew towards the city of.
Speaker 4 (15:32):
Soldom.
Speaker 1 (15:33):
Abraham walks with them for a time until they arrive
at a high vantage point from which they can look
across and see Soldom. From there, the Lord reveals to
his uh to Abram his plans regarding you know, the
grave sins of Solom and Gomorrah. But we'll cover that
in another chapter, in another lesson. I don't want to
(15:55):
get too far too deep into that right now. And
but with that being said, our scripture would be coming
from Genesis chapter eighteen, verses nine through sixteen. King James version.
(16:17):
That is Genesis chapter eighteen, verses nine through sixteen. King
James version.
Speaker 3 (16:26):
All right, let's read.
Speaker 1 (16:40):
Uh y us.
Speaker 4 (16:50):
They said under him, where is Sarah my wife? And
he said, behold in the tenth and he said.
Speaker 5 (17:00):
I will certainly return unto THEE according to the time
of life, and lo, Sarah.
Speaker 4 (17:05):
Thy wife, shall have a son. And Sarah heard it
in the tent door, which was behind him. Now, Abraham
and Sarah were old and well stricken in age, and
it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.
Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, after I am waxed old,
(17:26):
shall I have pleasure my Lord? Being old also? And
the Lord said, unto Abraham.
Speaker 5 (17:33):
Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, shall I have a surety
bear a child.
Speaker 4 (17:38):
Which am old?
Speaker 5 (17:40):
Is anything too hard for the Lord at the time appointed,
I will return unto THEE according to the time of life, and.
Speaker 4 (17:48):
Sarah shall have a son. Then Sarah denied, saying I
loved not, for she was afraid. And he said nay,
But thou didst laugh. And the men rose up from
thence looked towards Sodom, and Abraham went with them to
bring them on the way.
Speaker 1 (18:09):
All right, now that we have gotten through our versus,
it's time for our verse breakdown, and we'll start that
with Genesis chapter eighteen, verse nine. That is Genesis chapter eighteen,
(18:31):
verse nine. All right. And they said, unto him, world
is Sarah thy wife? And he said, behold in the tenth. Now,
in the culture of that day, it is not customary
for a man to inquire about the wife of another man. Therefore,
Abraham is probably curious about the inquiry we see here.
(18:54):
Perhaps there is something about these men that causes Abraham
to accept the question. Replies that she is indeed in
the tent. All right. Now. In the prior verses, Abraham
arranged a large meal for three unexpected visitors. His actions
exhibit generosity, humility, and grace. Whether or not Abraham knew
(19:19):
these men where God and two angels in human form
is unknown. However, the fact will become obvious as they
continue their conversation. All right, starting here in verse nine,
Abraham's visitors have finished the meal and begin to reveal
the purpose of their visit. Their fresh question shows they
(19:40):
know more about Abraham than they have let on. And
they know of his wife, Sarah, and they ask where
she is. Abraham replies that Sarah is in the tent.
We will soon learn that she is listening intently to
this interaction. As with other questions asked by God or
his messengers, their purpose is not to gain information. God
(20:05):
and his companions know exactly where Sarah is. And yet,
just as parents often ask children questions in order to
clarify ideas, God has a habit of using questions rather
than statements, in order to force a man to acknowledge
his situation. This is in the Quarters where Jens chapter three,
verse nine, as well as Acts chapter nine, verse four.
(20:28):
All right, let's move it along to Genesis chapter eighteen,
verse ten. And he said, I will certainly return unto
thee according to the time of life. And lo Sarah,
thy wife should have a son. And Sarah heard it
in the tent door, which was behind him. One of
the guests speaks, and in doing so, he states that
(20:49):
he would return later. Opinions vary on the figure of
speech and according to the time of life used to
described when the when the return will occur. All right, now,
one view is that it would be at the beginning
of another year from the present moment. Another opinion is
(21:13):
that it will be when the dormancy of winter is
changing to the new life of spring. Now Romans chapter nine,
verse nine offers the translation at this time will I come,
But this doesn't help help much in pointing to one
(21:33):
interpretation over the other. All right now Genesis chapter eighteen,
verse one implies that this conversation takes place in the
heat of summer, so the interpretation of the timing of
the promise return vary by only a few months in
any case. Now, as the special guest continues, Sarah has
(21:55):
positioned herself on the other side of the tenth flap
and directly behind the one who is speaking all right now.
What she overhears as a shocking statement to one of
her age, for the man announces that at the time
(22:17):
of his return, she will have a son. In the
priud version, these visitors asked where Sarah was, knowing that
these men are God and two angels, this question is
really for Abraham's benefit, not their own. Here God speaks
to Abraham about Sarah was full with a deep, full
acknowledge that she is listening and the Lord repeats what
(22:40):
he has said to Abraham in the previous chapter. This time, though,
he speaks in a way that Sarah will be sure
to hear. God announces, and Sarah clearly hears that she
will have a son by this time next year, when
the Lloyd plans to be able to turn visit. Hearing
such an announcement would clearly confirmed for Abraham that this
(23:01):
was the Lord who has made the same promise to
him in the previous chapter. Sarah, though, seems to be
hearing this promise for the first time. Most likely Abraham
had not told her what God had revealed to him
in the priory in County. Sarah's initial reaction would be
similar to Abraham's. Given her life long, barrenness and advanced age,
(23:24):
she will laugh at the suggestion of having a natural
born child. All right, now, let's move it along to
Genesis chapter eighteen, verse eleven. Now Abraham and Sarah was
we're old and well stricken in age, and it ceased
to be with Sarah after the manner of winning. All right, Now,
at this point, Abraham is ninety nine and Sarah is
(23:46):
eighty nine years of age. Sarah's age means that she
is no longer experiencing the mouthless cycle that is associated
with the ability to conceive children. And we may compare
the life situation of these two with that of Zachariz
(24:09):
and Elizabeth in Luke Chapter one, verses five through seven.
Abraham and Sarah were around one hundred and ninety years old, respectively.
Given the long lifespans of early mankind in Genesis chapter five,
it stands to reason that people of Abraham's era continue
to have children later than they do today. Now, at
(24:33):
the time, the text spells out that they were definitely
considered old. At this point in human history, ninety year
old people were not thought of as young by any
stretch of the imagination. In addition, not only has Sarah
been bearing for her entire life, she has also passed menopause. Now,
as the English Standard version puts it, the way of
(24:58):
women has ceased to be with her now by every measure,
then it would be physically impossible for Sarah to conceive
and bury a child. Only God could cause such a
thing to happen at this point in her life. That,
of course, is exactly what it is about to happen.
Sarah is listening from inside the tent as Abraham converses
(25:23):
with the three strangers according to Genesis chapter eighteen, verses
nine and ten, and these men are actually God in
human form, along with two angels, and their prophecies to
Abraham echoed the same guarantee given to Abraham alone in
an earlier encounter. And Sarah will become pregnant. All right, now,
(25:49):
let's move it along to Genesis chapter eighteen, verse twelve. Therefore,
Sarah laughed within herself, saying, after I am waxed old,
shall I have played my lord being old? Also, Sarah
quickly evaluates the announcement by the stranger to be preposterous,
and this prompts a silent laughter within herself to burst
(26:15):
forth in laughter would reveal that she is eavesdropping on
the conversation of the men. Now, Sarah is fully aware
that both she and her husband are waxed old. Right now,
to her, it is quite unreasonable to think that she
(26:38):
can conceive and bear a child. And you know, you
can compare this information in Romans chapter four, verses seventeen
and nineteen. Therefore, both Abraham's laughter of delight and the
laughter of Sarah's doubt are reflected in the name of
their son to be born. Now, at some point, Sarah's
(26:59):
doubt gives way to faith, since Hebrews chapter eleven versus
eleven says through faith, Sarah also herself conf received strength
to conceive seed and was delivered of a child when
she was past age because she judged him faithful who
had promised. Right now, standing in the nearby tenth, Sarah
(27:20):
has heard the Lord's statement that by this time next
year she would have a son. Now, it's unclear whether
or not Sarah understood at this point that it was
the Lord's speaking. Now, what Sarah did understand is that
she had been bearing her entire life unable to conceive
a child with Abraham. Now, at the age of ninety
(27:41):
or so, she has passed many pause, and some commentators
suggest that she and Abraham or about one hundred himself,
had long since stopped even having intercourse. So all of
the evidence of Sarah's life told her having a baby
was impossible. So her initial response to the idea was
(28:03):
the same as Abrahams had been. Sarah laughed in, unbelieved. Now,
the response seems entirely understandable to us. The Lord, however,
would gently rebuke her for it in the following verses,
and that rebuke, in a humorously ironic way, will include
(28:25):
the name of the child she is about to conceive,
whose name is Isaac, meaning he laughs. So Isaac the
name means he laughs. All right, Now, let's move it
along to Genesis chapter eighteen, verse thirteen. And the Lord said,
unto Abraham, world wore did Sarah laugh? Say? Shall I of? Sure?
(28:47):
They bear a child which am old? Now, the most
important fact of this verse is that the speaker is
now designated as the Lord. Now, when the four letters
of this word are all capital letters, it indicates that
(29:07):
this is the divine Yahweh or Yahweh. The speaker is
the Lord himself, and he is the special messenger from heaven.
Some scholars believe that this is a manifestation of God
the Sun before he is born as a babe in Bethlehem,
known as Christ, our Lord, and see you. But the
(29:32):
special nature of this messenger is seen in the bold
pronouncement and in being able to know the unexpressed thoughts
and silent laughter of several Now, the three guests were
earlier called men in Genesis chapter eighteen, verse two, and
then Hebrews chapter thirteen, Verse two uses the term angels.
(29:58):
The word angel can mean messenger, and that is the
situation here. The message has been, you know, relate. Sarah
is listening from the nearby tenth as her husband Abraham
converses with these uh with the three strangers. These men
(30:18):
are actually God and two angels disguised in human form.
All right, now, the strict approach to hospitality practice in
that era would have applied to every aspect of this event.
In part, that probably meant Sarah would have been eavesdropping,
or would not have been or should not have been eavesdropping. Rather, now,
(30:39):
it certainly would have meant that laughing at something guest said,
unless it was intented as a joke, could have been
seen as impolite. And since the details of this passage
are brief, we don't know if Abraham and the three
men could hear Sarah laugh in response to the idea
of her having a baby. It is possible that god
(31:00):
divine awareness that she laughed to herself served as evidence
that this was indeed the Lord in human form outside
of her tent. Now, the text itself gives us no
way to know for sure. In either case, the Lord
asked Abraham why Sarah had laughed in unbelief about the idea. Now,
(31:22):
this would have been an awkward question for Abraham to answer,
since his response to this same news was similar in
Genesis chapter seventeen, verse seventeen. Now let's move it along
to Genesis chapter eighteen, verse fourteen. Is anything too hard
for the Lord at the time of point that I
(31:43):
would return unto thee according to the time of life,
and Sarah shall have a son right now? The Lord's
responses continued with a rhetorical question and an affirmation. Now
the thrust of the question is anything too hard for
the Lord is repeated in different circumstances in both the
(32:04):
Old and New Testaments. As a question, we see it
in Jeremiah chapter thirty two, verse twenty seven, and as
a statement, and we see it in Jeremiah chapter thirty two,
verse seventeen, Matthew chapter nineteen, verse twenty six, Luke chapter one,
verse thirty seven, and Romans chapter four, verse twenty one.
(32:27):
Right now, the difficult statement I will return to the
according to the time of life is identical in Hebrew
to the one found in Genesis chapter eighteen, verse ten. Above. Yeah, Well,
what I mentioned earlier, except for the added word certainly
(32:49):
here all right now. E's dropping on a conversation Sarah.
Here's God, temporarily in human form, predict that she will
help a child's son all right now, giving her lifelong
barrenness and the fact that she and her husband were
(33:10):
both over ninety years old, Her and mediate responses to
laugh and disbelief. Now gently chiding that reaction, the Lord
asked a rhetorical question of Abraham and Sarah, demanding a
one word answer. No, anything which power can do, God's
power can uncomfortable. God is calling Sarah and Abraham to
(33:34):
believe that He would do a seemingly impossible thing for them.
The Lord's question is one that resonates for every person
who struggles to trust God in difficult time. In difficult times,
God give great and precious promises to those who trust
in Christ. According to Second Peter, Versus one, Chapter one,
(33:55):
verse four, often it feels quite unlikely that such things
as God's empowerment, his confidence, and even eternal life could
ever happen for us? Is anything too hard for the Lord?
To emphasize that nothing is too hard for him, the
Lord repeats his promise once more, Sarah will have a
son when the Lord visits them at the appointed time
(34:18):
the following year. All right, now, let's move it along
to Genesis chapter eighteen, verse fifteen. Then Sarah denied, saying
I laughed, not for she was afraid. And she said nay,
And he said nay. But thou didst laugh. Sarah reacts
with a fever attempt to defend herself. Perhaps she rationalizes
(34:41):
that there has been no audible laughter, But God knows
a person's heart, and thoughts that we can find this
information out in Matthew chapter nine, verse four, as well
as chapter twelve, verse twenty five. Now the Lord and
Sarah have been having a conversation without even looking at
each other, and the Lord has been speaking to Abraham
(35:07):
fully aware that Sarah behind him inside of the tent
is hearing every word. Now, in this conversation, he has
told Abraham for the second time, Sarah for the first,
that she will have a son by this time next year.
When Sarah laughed at the idea, the Lord reveals to
her he knew she laughed to herself, and he even
knew her thoughts. He revealed that he was the Lord
(35:30):
and that nothing was too hard for him, and that
she would have a son. Now, oddly, Sarah chooses to
deny that she laugh. This silly life feels beside the
point when the Lord has told her that she will
miraculously have a baby in a year's time. Now the
Lord repeats that she did laugh. And yet we're told
(35:53):
Sarah was afraid. Perhaps she thought the Lord may punish
her in some way for her unbelieving laughter, or for
listening in on the conversation in which she was not
explicitly involved. He does not condemn her though the fact,
as God revealed to Abraham in the previous chapter when
(36:13):
Abraham also left at such an idea, their sons joyful
name would be Isaac, which means laughter. Now this name
not only in vokes happiness, it also serves as a subtle,
almost playful rebuke on Abraham and Sarah's mutual doubt. All right,
let's moving it on to last, but not least Genesis
(36:34):
chapter eighteen, verse sixteen. And the men rose up from
thence and looked towards Sodom, and Abraham went with them
to bring them on the way. Now Abraham didn't have
a frank gate, so he walked out with them a
little farther than where frank Gate would be to bid
them goodbye. And as they walked out from where Abraham lived,
(36:58):
they could look down on them in Gomorrow. All right. Now,
Abraham walked out of ways with these guests, and down
below there they saw Soldom and Gomorrow, and they were
the great resorts of that day. Solomon Gomori were, and
they must have been very delightful and beautiful places to
be at the time. Now the three men returned to
(37:22):
their mystery, mysterious journey. As a good host. Seeing his guest,
or Abraham walks with them for some distance, and they
would have walked throughout the hills or through the hills
near Hebron, and came to and come to a good
spot for glimps in the city of Soldom in the distance.
(37:43):
All right, this city, like Gomorra, had already been established,
and it has established a reputation for morrow depravity. And
when we saw him last in Jenesus chapter fourteen, Abraham's
nephew Lot had been rescued from foreign invaders and turned
to his home in Solton. Now Lutch place in that
(38:05):
town will become central to the rest of this chapter.
All right, do you have the complexion for the protection.
It is now time for our life reflection, all right.
In Genesis chapter eighteen, verse fourteen, is there anything too
(38:28):
hard for the Lord? The obvious answer is of course not,
of course not. This question reveals much about God, and
make it a habit to insert your specific needs into
this question. Is this day in my life too hard
for the Lord? Is this habit I'm trying to break
(38:48):
too hard for the Lord? Is this communication problem having
too hard for him? Asking the question this way reminds
us that God has personally involved in our life and
nudges us to ask for his power to help us now.
In Genesis chapter eighteen, verse fifteen, Sarah lied because she
was afraid of being discovered. Fear is the most common
(39:10):
motive for lying, and we are afraid that our inner
thoughts and emotions will be exposed or our wrong doings
discovered by lying. But lying causes greater complications than telling
the truth and brings even more problems. So we will
be far better off telling the truth, no matter how
(39:33):
hard it is for us. Right from the story, all right,
but for now, this is what God reaffirms his promise.
Part two is all about all right? Now with that
being said, we would close out with prayer. Heavenly Father, Son,
(39:55):
Holy Spirit, thank you for blessing us with another building
block from the this Holy Bible study session. Lord Jesus,
we thank you for your love. We thank you that
you died on the cross for us and resurrected so
that we may have eternal life through you. We confess Lord,
(40:15):
that we have sinned against you and broken your laws
and commandments. Today we ask you to forgive us of
all our sins, past, present and future. And today we
repent and we've decided to follow you. Thank you for
forgiving all of our sins. From this moment, come into
(40:35):
our life, Lord Jesus, and take full control of it.
We want to follow you, Jesus, and we want to
follow your ways, save and make us a new creation
in you. We receive you, Lord Jesus right now by faith.
We trust you as our Lord and save you. Thank
(40:55):
you for your continue graces and mercies, Oh Lord, our
strength and our Redeemer. We continue to pray these things
by believing, trusting, and loving you, Oh Holy eternal Father Son,
Holy Spirit. That's always in the precious name of Jesus
the Christ, the Messiah, we pray Amen. Thank you for
(41:16):
tuning in. Please stay tuned for the discussion portion of
the show. You can message us at seven zero four
four one two eight six nine two. That is seven
zero four four one two eight six nine two. I
would like to thank our Heart Radio for this opportunity.
And you can find HBS and DWJ podcast most anywhere
(41:37):
you receive your podcast. And you can find HBS and
DWJ on our website at God in our Lives Everyday
dot com that is God in our Lives Everyday dot com,
or just hashtag HBS and DWJ. That's hashtag HBS the
end sign DWJ. Feel free to check out the HBS
(42:00):
DWJ store and God in our Lives Everyday dot com.
And if you want to bless this ministry with a donation,
you can do so by cash app at the money
sign capital h BS lowercase A N D, capital D
lowercase W, capital J. And if you want to, you
(42:24):
could also make a donation through PayPal with the at
sign HBS and d w J. And that is the
at sign capital h B S lowercase A, n D,
(42:44):
capital D lower case W and capital J. All right,
remember to put God first, and everything else will follow.
Appreciate your steps in life. They are the reason you
can look back at where you came from. To God
goes the glory, The glory, glory,
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Cardiac Cowboys
The heart was always off-limits to surgeons. Cutting into it spelled instant death for the patient. That is, until a ragtag group of doctors scattered across the Midwest and Texas decided to throw out the rule book. Working in makeshift laboratories and home garages, using medical devices made from scavenged machine parts and beer tubes, these men and women invented the field of open heart surgery. Odds are, someone you know is alive because of them. So why has history left them behind? Presented by Chris Pine, CARDIAC COWBOYS tells the gripping true story behind the birth of heart surgery, and the young, Greatest Generation doctors who made it happen. For years, they competed and feuded, racing to be the first, the best, and the most prolific. Some appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, operated on kings and advised presidents. Others ended up disgraced, penniless, and convicted of felonies. Together, they ignited a revolution in medicine, and changed the world.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.