RUSSELL SANDERS
11-3-2020
ABRAHAM PART 21
THE LAUGH OF DOUBT
Sometimes when a person tells us something that sounds preposterous to us, we laugh at them for their foolishness. We laugh it off as being very doubtful.
We saw in Genesis 17 that God spoke to Abraham, gave him and Sarah their new names, and commanded circumcision for all males to seal the covenant.
We also see in verses 15-19 that God told Abraham that Sarah would bear him a son to be named Isaac. This son would be the heir of the covenant.
How did Abraham, the “Father of Faith” hall of famer, respond? He laughed in his heart at what God said. He did not wish to believe God. He even appealed to God (v. 18) to make his beloved son Ishmael the son of the covenant.
At a later date, as Abraham was sitting at his tent at midday, three men appeared by him. These were messenger angels in human form. Abraham was a good host and had a meal (a feast) prepared for them.
After they had eaten, the men inquired on Sarah’s whereabouts. They said she would bear a son. Now Abraham was 99 and Sarah 89. They would be 100 and 90 when that prediction would come to pass. Abraham had already laughed it off when God had told him the first time. Therefore, God confirmed it a second time with these men.
Sarah, who was hidden out of sight, heard it, and laughed at this ridiculous sounding prediction from total strangers. Now the LORD Himself spoke to Abraham. He said (Gen. 18:13), “Why did Sarah laugh?” Sarah, fearing a rebuke, denied it. She lied.
Have you ever lied in an effort to avoid possible consequences? Lying is never a good thing, regardless the reason. It would be better to keep silent than to lie. You have heard the saying, “Honesty is the best policy.” That is a false statement. I have always taught even my children that “Honesty is the only policy.” If you say it is the “best” policy, that leaves some room for an occasional lie.
Even if somebody were to ask you something about another person, and you knew that if you told them the facts, it would be harmful or would breach confidence, you don’t do that harm, but neither do you lie to “cover up.” You either side-step the question or give no answer. You cannot lie.
If you have a problem in this way, repent of it and never do it again. God forgives. Holy Spirit can show you how to respond. God does not lie. Satan does.