An early pondering.........
While it's great to celebrate Sarah and Abraham's good fortune, and the blessing of their child Isaac (which in Hebrew means 'Laughter', but you probably knew that), I'm also struck by the other story here. Sarah's deep blessing is Hagar's curse. Is there room to talk about "the rest of the story" in a sermon about Sarah?
Blessings, SueCan
SueCan,
I will make your excellent point in next week's sermon when the Genesis account deals with Hagar.
jjinchas
I will continue my discussion of Genesis with the congregation this week. My goal as I discuss Genesis, is not to negate anyone. I am looking at the book of Genesis through the eyes of Hagar. In this sermon, I hope to understand the laughter of Sarai. Whenever I remind my Senior women members the age of Sarai, They laugh. I let it go, but I find myself asking, why? Do they feel they can't give birth (of any kind)? I will explore this with our women at the Wednesday morning prayer fellowship. Most of the participants are Sarah's age.
Shalom
Pasthersyl
My question is: What about all those women who cannot have children? Women who pray and have faith and yet, are barren. What does the text say to them? How can we preach this without adding more guilt to women who cannot conceive? I fear that some women will believe that they don't have enough faith and that is why they cannot conceive. Or maybe God has abandoned them. Why doesn't God come and visit all women who are barren and grant them such a blessing? Kelly in AB
I am preaching a sermon called "Did Not....Did Too" I plan to base it on arguments I had with my older brother. Have you had those?? And the argument Sarai had with the angel...you laughed...did not...did too. And with God all things are possible and the "did nots" change to "can too"....
Kelly,
Good question: I've been struggling with this one also. As with any miracle story, you are left with the question of why some "get" the miracles and others don't. Is it a matter of faithfulness, or a matter of recognizing what form miracles take? Or perhaps it's not about having faith "enough", but rather faith in spite of disappointments and heartaches. Sarah was sure she would live out her days without the promised baby being born, yet she remained faithful to Yahweh. Just some early thoughts....
SueCan
ps just another comment -- technically since this account is after the covenant, Sarai is now Sarah.
Ok, I have been talking to friends about this passage. The suggestion is that this miracle story must be looked about metephorically. It could almost be like one of Jesus' parables about the Kingdom of God. "The kingdom of God is like this. It is like a woman whose only role in society was to have children -boy children in particular. But instead, she lived all her days in shame because she could not conceive. She was taunted and made fun of until she was very, very old. Then one day she was promised a son. This was such a rediculus idea that she laughted out loud. But the laughter became, abundent laughter of joy. The promise of a son wasn't fullfilled in a small way, but abundently. For she did not just have a son, but a whole nation!" May we all laugh with abundent joy. For in the kingdom not only do old women experience the transforming, life changing event of a baby, but we too can experience the transforming, life change event of a spiritual conversion. In the kingdom all is possible. In the kingdom, even our hearts can open up, we can have a spiritual conversion and we can experience God's amazing grace and generousity. Now, that's a miracle!
Once upon a time there was an old man from the lovely island of Crete. He loved his land with a deep and beautiful intensity, so much so that when he perceived that he was about to die he had his sons bring him outside and lay him on his beloved earth. As he was about to expire he reached down by his side and clutched some earth into his hands. He died a happy man.
He now appeared before heaven's gates. God, as an old white bearded man, came out to greet him. "Welcome," he said, "You've been a good man. Please, come into the joys of heaven." But as the old man started to enter the pearly gates, God said, "Please. You must let the soil go." "Never!" said the old man stepping back. "Never!" And so God departed sadly, leaving the old man outside the gates. A few eons went by. God came out again, this time as a friend, an old drinking croney. They had a few drinks, told some stories, and then God said, "All right, now it's time to enter heaven, friend. Let's go." And they started for the pearly gates. And once more God requested that the old man let go of his soil and once more he refused.
More eons rolled by. God came out once more, this time as a playful granddaughter. "Oh granddaddy," she said, "you're so wonderful and we all miss you. Please come inside with me." The old man nodded and she helped him up for by this time he had grown very old and arthritic. In fact, so arthritic was he that he had to prop up the right hand holding Crete's soil with his left hand. They moved toward the pearly gates and at this point his strength quite gave out. His gnarled fingers would no longer stay clenched in a fist with the result that the soil sifted out between them until his hand was empty. He then entered heaven. The first thing he saw was his beloved island of Crete.
The human wants to hord. God invites us to live and share in his/her abundence. Amen.
Sorry, I forgot to sign, Kelly in AB
First, I am using 21:1-7 next week with the rest of the chapter.
Second thought, I think the word to barren women is that God is faithful. God uses us even when we feel shame and barrenness. There is more to life than reproduction and sexuality. God does not promise us a rose garden without weeds. God promises to be faithful guiding us every day and every step of the way if we rely/trust our Creator to have our best in mind.
Third, I'm intrigued by Abraham's hospitality. He warmly welcomes the strangers into his home. He, his wife, and servants all prepare a feast, they share the harvest with their guests. Readily and willing they share.
How do we welcome strangers into our congregation? Are we active in searching for people with whom to share the good news.
Bruce in WI
Just another angle;
Jewish tradition made much of Abraham's welcoming strangers and greeting them with hospitality. This is one such example.
One could preach that "laughter" enter's one's house when one practices this hospitality. The blessings one bestows upon a stranger often come back in unexpected ways. And by welcoming the stranger, one is often welcoming God.
DR
Bruce;
Great minds think alike. I must have sent in my posting seconds behind yours. A happy coincidence and blessing.
DR
Kelly in Ab, SueCan, and all,
I too preached the Genesis passage last week, and found it a real blessing! These old stories are so rich:) I used a blindfold for the children (not my idea!) to help them understand walking with Jesus when we don't know where we're going.
SueCan and Kelly, I appreciate your idea about the women who don't get miracles or babies. It is a thorny problem for many who don't receive, and it seems to produce bitterness in abundance for many. Also, it points out the difference between seeing with God's eyes, and seeing all in the mode of this world, its evil, its temptations.
Brenda in New Brunswick
Several thoughts strike me as important in this passage. 1. What we think is impossible is possible with God. Sarah had every reason to laugh. What God proposed was impossible in the realm of her understanding. However, the mystery often reveals itself in surprising ways. 2. It is easier to blame God when things don't go as we think they should and to ask- why God?- than to accept and believe God wants the very best for us. Actually, I believe God desires what our hearts desire. Though God's abundance may touch us in unexpected ways. Finally, Sarah is listening covertly to God who is speaking to Abraham-she hears what God says but does not believe. ( It is my contention that listening and hearing are too different things) How often do we hear God but refuse to believe? How often are we limited by our own understandings of the world? Interesting also, though I am not sure what to make of it-God percieves Sarah's doubts and tells her in no uncertain terms what has been said- will come to pass. Sometimes I wish I were able to listen better- TSM
To Kelly in AB,
Your concern about this text and women who can't conceive is well thought and difficult to answer, particularly for a man who can never fully understand the extreme significance of childbearing to women or the pain and guilt barenness often causes. But let me make an attempt anyway.
God's miraculous acts AND God's love are as unique as the people who receive them. Sarah had a need/desire (wish but inability to have children) that was not unique, but she also lived within a relationship that was unique -- the Covenant, specifically that Sarah and Abraham would be parents to a great nation. In giving a child to Sarah even in old age, God is fulfilling a unique, specific promise. Moving into the present, what is unique to God's covenant with us? Christ never promised that every Christian woman would have children, so a woman's inability to have children is not a sign of one's faithfulness or one's relationship in the new covenant. Christ did promise to be with us always even in the pain and guilt that we have. How will, in the uniqueness of our life and relationship in the covenant(individually and communally) will God fulfill God's unique promises? And how will we respond? Will we laugh in disbelief or in joy?
Less important to your specific concern, but as important to the text and to understanding Covenant, is this: God's covenant, God's miraculous acts, God's grace have PURPOSE which is always greater and beyond the recipient. In God's original covenant with Sarai and Abram, God says that "in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." Sarah did not receive Isaac just for Sarah's sake but for the sake of every family on earth. And, after her brief laughing spell, I believe the story shows that Sarah as well as Abraham responded to God's purpose in faith. In the new Covenant as described in the Great Commission Christ's eternal abiding presence has a purpose: to enable us to make disciples through baptism, teaching, and obedience. What is our response? Using the small or large miracles that we each receive, do we fulfill God's purpose for those miracles?
To Kelly in AB,
Your concern about this text and women who can't conceive is well thought and difficult to answer, particularly for a man who can never fully understand the extreme significance of childbearing to women or the pain and guilt barenness often causes. But let me make an attempt anyway.
God's miraculous acts AND God's love are as unique as the people who receive them. Sarah had a need/desire (wish but inability to have children) that was not unique, but she also lived within a relationship that was unique -- the Covenant, specifically that Sarah and Abraham would be parents to a great nation. In giving a child to Sarah even in old age, God is fulfilling a unique, specific promise. Moving into the present, what is unique to God's covenant with us? Christ never promised that every Christian woman would have children, so a woman's inability to have children is not a sign of one's faithfulness or one's relationship in the new covenant. Christ did promise to be with us always even in the pain and guilt that we have. How will, in the uniqueness of our life and relationship in the covenant(individually and communally) will God fulfill God's unique promises? And how will we respond? Will we laugh in disbelief or in joy?
Less important to your specific concern, but as important to the text and to understanding Covenant, is this: God's covenant, God's miraculous acts, God's grace have PURPOSE which is always greater and beyond the recipient. In God's original covenant with Sarai and Abram, God says that "in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." Sarah did not receive Isaac just for Sarah's sake but for the sake of every family on earth. And, after her brief laughing spell, I believe the story shows that Sarah as well as Abraham responded to God's purpose in faith. In the new Covenant as described in the Great Commission Christ's eternal abiding presence has a purpose: to enable us to make disciples through baptism, teaching, and obedience. What is our response? Using the small or large miracles that we each receive, do we fulfill God's purpose for those miracles?
Jeff from AR
Although the Covenant has been made between God and Abraham, Sarah appears to have been a passive participant until this text. At overhearing the outrageous news that after all the years of waiting, now she gets to bear a son? It is just too much to handle; she has to laugh. At first God's response is as usual to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh. . . .?" Sarah tries to hide the fact that she laughed, but God, now speaks directly to her. For the first time, Sarah becomes an active partner in the covenental relationship. The way I read God's response is not the usual stern rendering of the text, but a playful, smiling "O yes you did laugh." Linda at ANTS
Kelly,
I really like your story of the man holding on to a handful of soil and missiong out on the whole island. I also appreciate what you said about using the story as a metaphor. At the end of the month I'm moving to serve two aging congregations who have given up hope of having a purpose. They feel that since there are no younger people in their churches they have no hope for a future. Maybe I can convince them to claim Sarah's story as their own and just let God do what God seems to do best, surprise us by doing the impossible. Or maybe they have already given birth and just don't realize it. Anyway, I am enjoying everyone's thoughts.
Greg in NE
I want to add my two cents worth this week. Walter Bruggeman has some excellent points on this passage in his contribution in the Interpreters Series.
The point is not a carte blanche, God can do anything proposition, but as Jeff in AR points out, it's about God's ability to fulfill God's purposes. What God can and will do is anything it takes to fulfill God's purposes. Bruggeman points out that Jesus in the Garden prays, "If it is possible let this cup pass from me..." It was posssible, but it wasn't God's purpose. Therefore, even for Jesus the answer is no.
Maybe this would help those who like Sarah find themselves childless. It's not fair, if probably doesn't even help the pain, but even Jesus was denied his desire, because it wasn't in God's purpose. Look at me, a male trying to ease the pain of a childless woman. And I've got three kids to boot!
The issue then is to discover God's purpose. That's one that takes time and even then it's a step of faith.
I look forward to any comments on these disjointed ideas.
John in KY
Linda,
<p>I agree with your point of God's answer to Sarah being playful. And, by the way, do you remember that Abraham laughed too (Genesis 17:17)? One commentator that I read pointed out that the change of names -- Abram to Abraham, Sarai to Sarah -- do not significantly change the meaning of the names it simply adds a sylable -- "ah" (HA). So, perhaps, God even put laughter into their names. <p>I don't know what to make of all this, but laughter seems to be a theme in the Abraham/Sarah cycle. <p>--Rod, Bishop of Pixley
Dear John in KY, I too was interested in Brueggemann's proposal, but I do not think he was saying the answer to the question of God's possibilities is "no," (which I implied from your answer). I think Brueggemann's suggestion is that the answer to whether or not anything is too hard for God has no easy answer, and that the question must be securely fastened in the context of "promise". One thing I noticed about the Abraham narrative is that Sarah (Sarai) was barren before the promise was given to Abraham. Thus, if God's purpose/promise was going to be accomplished God would have to overcome Sarah's barreness. The promise of a great nation hinges on the birth of a son. To ask the question "Is anything too hard for God," outside of the narrative of God's promise, begs the question. This question was not raised in the context of a discussion on the ontological existence of God. This question is raised by Yahweh (Interesting point to consider), in the context of promise. T. Frethiem in "The Suffering of God" page 72ff. points out in reference to Brueggemann's point, that God is faithful to who He is, therefore, since God has chosen to redeem humanity by working through humanity a passer-by may determine that God is limited, but as the rest of this narrative will show, ultimately God can do the impossible. He can accomplish His purposes while remaining faithful to his commitment to fickle humanity. The humanity that laughs in doubt and laughs in joy. revwolfe in FL
Please do not forget that ABRAHAM LAUGHED TOO!!! Gen 17:17 tells us that Abraham fell on his face with laughter after Yahweh appeared to him and foretold the birth of Isaac. Too often Sarah gets the bad rap of laughing and not believing.
I am concentrating on laughter. First, that akward laughter we laugh when something is too much for us to believe. Abraham did it, Sarah did it, we do it. But then in Gen 21 the laughter becomes joyful and "giddy" over the promise that came true.
The point of all of this is that God is faithful and God's word is true. But too often we "Laugh" at the impossible. We "laugh' at the thought of God working through us. We "laugh" because we forget that God gifts us to participate in God's ministry. But that akward, skeptical laugh can turn to joy and giddy laughter when we proclaim the wonderful faithfulness of God and proclaim that God is at work in the world.
Teek
Hi There! Is anyone dealing with 'the strangers'? Any suggestions on materials that look specifically at these 3? ... I've read the 'Trinity' argument, but -- is that really all that is out there? Curious. --fiddler
Hi There! I'm new at this page ... just wondering -- is anyone looking at 'the strangers' this week? What (and who) do you read about them? I've read the arguments about it being the trinity -- but, there's gotta be more. Thanks, fiddler
All of the themes and ideas discussed so far have been very preachable and in touch with the scripture. I'm wondering if my own ponderings will connect with anyone else. While the miracle, the laughter and God's faithfulness all play into the text, I also see an overlying theme concerning our obedience to God. When we are faithfully obedient and expectantly waiting, we are blessed. But do these blessings exist in our reality even before we recognize them? In other words, what we perceive as impossible and against the order of nature, etc., are they a piece of God's larger reality? We hear often of 'virtual reality,' and I am trying to connect that type of environment to what God's reality may look like - beyond our comprehension! If the Romans and the Matthew texts were linked with the Genesis text, there develops a natural progression: obedience carries us into life where we are blessed, suffer, endure, build character and hope. It is only then that we are 'sent out' to share. Our view of life (i.e. reality)is altered and we can laugh with Sarah at our own disbelief when God fulfills promises and brings about new things, things that are beyond our reality. (By the way, I don't think Sarah is spying or being deceitful. Women weren't usually allowed in the temple, nor included in conversations between males, so she was simply doing what was done by women at the time - staying in the tent, being still, listening without comment.) We are much like the man who asks for healing of his son then cries, 'I believe, help my unbelief.' Virtual reality - a taste of another kind of reality? A sample of God's reality?
Does this strike a note with anyone?
Indiana Jones
Indiana Jones,
You've stricken (struck!?) a note for me. I believe obedience is key to fruitful living, fruitful discipleship, and fruitful evangelism.
Trust... and obey...the Lord Jesus Christ...
Rick in Va
I once heard a rabbi say that the "h" added to Abram and Sarai, was the "hey" of YHWH--they became part of the family, so to speak. > This week is Children's Sunday at my church--it has been so difficult to help my elderly congregation understand that they are part of the birthing process of new life in the church. I plan to focus on the absurdity of one carrying a child at an advanced age, but how that can be a blessing when we respsond to God's promise of faithfulness and are able participate faithfully as a covenenatal community who have promised to care for our children. > A secondary theme is that of hospitality and welcoming. It's not enough to prepare the food for coffee hour, folks need to sit with the stranger and share, listening to what the stranger has to say. It just might be a big surprise! Linda at ANTS
SARAH, ELIZABETH, MARY--(not to leave anyone out, but these come to mind first)--God brings forth life where life is not expected to exist, God's miracles could be seen as revelations of God's desires and will being fulfilled. AND I detect an intimate relationship between God, Hannah and the boy, "God was with the boy." This might be a way of dealing with what could be seen as Hannah getting the short end of the stick--STAN in TN
Just after I read this passage (about a woman who was offered new life and new hope in the form of a baby in advanced age but laughed at God for suggesting such a thing), I heard an interview on NPR with a guy who was a successful Chiropractor (sp), who had a stroke and lost his profession. He thought his life was ruined until he took up painting (I believe with oils), and now is loving it and loving life. He wondered aloud that often God encounters people with promises of new hope and new life, but that most people just ignore it (or laugh at it). They become successful but miserable. He said he probably never would have heard this call from God unless he had had his stroke, and wondered how many others ignore the call because they don't have God forcing them to have an Isaac.
Stan in MA
Linda at ANTS ... Maybe from Sarah's perspective -- certainly at this moment -- it wasn't the 'blessing' we often suggest news of Isaac to be ... she was the laughing stock of the community when she was younger because she couldn't conceive. And, now -- in her old age, they continue to laugh because she can. She can't win! No wonder she was so abusive to Hagar! I think she was a miserable, old woman at this place in the story. That is the hope that I think we can offer some of those blue hairs in our congregations, and I like what I'm reading about helping these people see what new meaning they can give birth to. I appreciate your acknowledgement to your listeners about hospitality. That is my interest in examining these 'strangers' more -- my title is "The Ministry of Strangers" ... and 'want to address that as well. We often think about what the church has to offer 'outsiders', but are blinded to the rich opportunities they offer us. -- fiddler
Dear revwolfe in FL.:
Thank you for your excellent point. Where I was going is found on pg 161 of Interpretations: "To the disciples seeking salvation in Mark 10:27, Jesus gives his uncompromising answer. Poignantly, the issue surfaces for Jesus in the scene at Gethsemane. There he, too, seeks and raises the question of Gen. 18:14, praying: 'Father, all things are possible to thee' (he affirms what he affired in 10:27 to the disciples). 'Remove this cup from me; yet not what I will, but what thou wilt.' (Mark 14:36). Everything is possible to God --execpt one thing. the one thing not possible is the removal of the cup. What God will not (cannot?) do is to circumvent the reality of suffering, hurt, the cross. Thus, our text does not permit a casual triumphalism that simply believes everything is possible." My point was that we cannot jump into the idea with a generalized blanket endorsement of God's ability, when that which we desire for God to do is against the purposes of God. You are right, it is not an easy question, but one that takes time to pray through and even then we take the leap of faith into the unknown based upon "our" knowledge of the Creators larger context.
Perhaps Elijah's misinterpretation of the context in the cave when he lamented that he alone was left to you God's work can serve as an example of not having the larger context.
Just some late night musings. Shalom to all. John in KY.
Thanks everyone for the thought provoking discussion. I have been struggling with the texts and how to use them to "send out" my people. I ran across an interesting quote from Garrison Keillor talking about when the unexpected happens, he states and asks " You're ready to endure trouble and pain, and instead God sends you love - what do you do? what happens if you expext the worst and get the best?" When God is faithful how do we respond? The Psalmist offers to "pay my vows to God in the presence of his people" (worship). Jesus sends the disciples out in Mission to have compassion. God appears as an "ordinary stranger" to Abe and Sarah, and they become miracles. Deke of the North
If anyone had suggested to the people of Zion United Church (one of 3 in this Pastoral Charge)when I came here 6 1/2 years ago that the church would still be here - and very much alive! - they would surely have laughed. They had lost some of their youngest and most active members 5 or 6 months earlier becuase of hurt feelings expressed in a meeting that got out of hand, they had no Sunday School, and were barely limping along financially. Today they have a small but active Sunday School, they are having more activities, greater attendance, and a year ago they voted to spend a few thousand dollars on repairs and improvements to the building. They would never have had enough faith in their future to have voted to do such a thing in early 1993. In a few weeks, they raised a thousand or so more than needed, and had some extra work done with the surplus. Anyone who wants to use this story is welcome to do so.
A wonderful Gershwin song comes to mind that was sung by Fred Astaire to Ginger Rogers, which I have included below for those who want to use it.
THEY ALL LAUGHED George and Ira Gershwin
(VERSE) The odds were a hundred to one against me The world thought the heights were too high to climb But people from Missouri never incensed me Oh, I wasn't a bit concerned For from hist'ry I had learned How many, many times the worm had turned
(CHORUS) They all laughed at Christopher Columbus When he said the world was round They all laughed when Edison recorded sound They all laughed at Wilbur and his brother When they said that man could fly They told Marconi Wireless was a phony It's the same old cry
They laughed at me wanting you Said I was reaching for the moon But oh, you came through Now they'll have to change their tune
They all said we never could be happy They laughed at us and how! But ho, ho, ho! Who's got the last laugh now?
They all laughed at Rockefeller Center Now they're fighting to get in They all laughed at Whitney and his cotton gin They all laughed at Fulton and his steamboat Hershey and his chocolate bar Ford and his Lizzie Kept the laugher’s busy That's how people are
They laughed at me wanting you Said it would be, "Hello, Goodbye." But oh, you came through Now they're eating humble pie
They all said we'd never get together Darling, let's take a bow For ho, ho, ho! Who's got the last laugh? Hee, hee, hee! Let's have the best laugh Ha, ha, ha! Who's got the last laugh now?
Ron in Ontario
In working with this text, I tried to imagine Sarah at the age of 40 praying fervently for a son. This became a springboard to the question why pray at all? The story of Sarah and Abraham provides a wonderful example of faithfulness and persistence in prayer. However God acts outside the human time frame and in ways which we cannot comprehend. The challenge for many is to continue praying even when they think that God does not hear them. Sarah is a wonderful example of this. God answers her prayer unexpectedly thus giving us humans a tiny example of God's power and love for us. AP in Toronto
Having just returned from a wonderful week with Marcus and Marianne Borg, I am overcome with an open heart. Their seminar was Theology that Matters, Open Hearts and Thin Places. This story is alive. The questions that Marcus used to preface our discussions about the scriptures were, why did the Hebrews tell this story and why did they tell it this way. I believe that throughout their lives, Abraham and Sarah had maintained/grown/developed their 'open hearts' to God. Worship, praise and obedience to God were some of the methods. They KNEW that God was in convenant with them, that God was at the centre of their being and their lives. Whatever they did or did not do, did not alter the covenant that God had established. Their prayers, particularly those of Sarah might have been for a child, but perhaps the importance of this story lies in the continued relationship to God (despite or perhaps because prayers not answered as Sarah expected). God will do what is promised. Sometimes we domesticate God to our understanding and our limitations and God is so much more. And so, our part in the covenant is to maintain our relationship with God who loves us and laughs with us, the continual, intentional relationship is blessed. BLD in NB
Hi everyone,
This is late, like always, but I was reading Karen Armstrong's book on Jerusalem. Karen focuses in on the hospitality that Abraham shows the 3 strangers. She assumes that he didn't know this stranger was YHWH. He pulls out all the stops, treats them with absolute honor and respect. This same kind of hospitality continues today in the Bedouin culture.
In this morning's paper there was a report on someone who attacked someone else in a car, "road rage." We are too quick to fly off the handle at each other, unwilling to see the other as holy and sacred.
Eugene Peterson talks about praying his "to do" list. Parts of pastoral work that we find a nuisance, people who are troublesome----put them on the prayer list. See them as sacred and holy, God's workmanship.
shalom, Larry, cny