The Promise of Isaac

Genesis 18-1:15

This reads like a retelling (or behind-the-scenes version) of God's updated covenant with Abraham.  This passage uses the newly-given names for Abraham and Sarah.  The previous chapter says that Sarah will bear Isaac at "this season next year."  This chapter says, " I will return to you at this time next year and Sarah will have a son."

The previous chapter says the circumcisions in the household "took place that same day"  yet this chapter describes Abraham running and hurrying as he tends to his tasks.  Maybe the previous chapter describes a private conversation between Abraham and God, followed by Abe finding the sharpest knife in the kitchen (and Sarah thinking the old codger has finally lost it).

Now, it's a couple of weeks later, and the household has healed-up a bit.  I see Abraham walking around, chuckling to himself because he (finally) believes God will provide a son to him and Sarah.

Now the Lord appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, while he was sitting at the tent door in the heat of the day. When he lifted up his eyes and looked, behold, three men were standing opposite him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth, and said, “My Lord, if now I have found favor in Your sight, please do not pass Your servant by. Please let a little water be brought and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree; and I will bring a piece of bread, that you may refresh yourselves; after that you may go on, since you have visited your servant.” And they said, “So do, as you have said.” 

I've heard this passage described as a picture of middle-eastern hospitality -- and it is; but if this is a continuation of the prior chapter - then Abraham recognizes the Lord and may have added some urgency to carrying out his host duties.

So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Quickly, prepare three measures of fine flour, knead it and make bread cakes.” Abraham also ran to the herd, and took a tender and choice calf and gave it to the servant, and he hurried to prepare it. He took curds and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and placed it before them; and he was standing by them under the tree as they ate.

Yeah - it looks like he's feeling better after the brit milah ceremony.

Then they said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” 

He asked Adam and Eve where they were, now he asks where Sarah is.  This is not how you're supposed to play hide-and-seek.

And he said, “There, in the tent.” 

Tattle-tale. Actually, I think Abraham has been anticipating this next exchange.

He said, “I will surely return to you at this time next year; and behold, Sarah your wife will have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door, which was behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; Sarah was past childbearing. 

Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I have become old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?” And the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, when I am so old?’ Is anything too difficult for the Lord? 

Interesting that this question about Sarah's attitude was directed at Abraham.  What was her attitude? If she had laughed with pleasure, I doubt God would have bristled.  Is she so used to getting her way that she thinks God is wrong?  

And is Abraham in trouble too (for not providing faith-based leadership to Sarah)?

At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” Sarah denied it however, saying, “I did not laugh”; for she was afraid. And He said, “No, but you did laugh.”

In the previous chapter, Abraham laughed when God told him he would have a son, but Abraham was not scolded.  I'm thinking someone is still just a b-i-t peeved at Sarah.

The prayer in this passage reads like conversation.  Abraham hosts the Lord and offers the best of his kitchen and herd.  The next part sound like a revelation provided for Sarah, because we see no reaction from Abraham.

Did Abraham not share the news in the prior chapter?  Did he, but Sarah just bulldozed ahead without listening or believing?  

Sarah, in the previous chapters, is described as very beautiful - so much so that Abraham feared he would be killed so she could be taken.  

Is she so beautiful that she thinks she's a really all that? I'm not certain how else to describe her bull-headed attitude, lack of faith, and lack of submission to Abraham.  

Abe certainly puts up with it.  God does not.