Many a times, we hear about how “Sarah” the wife of Abraham laughed when she was told that she would be blessed with a child in her nineties, and seldom realize that it was not only Sarah who laughed, but her husband, Abraham did as well. Genesis 17:17 records that God told Abraham, that he would be blessed with a child and that his barren wife would become the mother of nations and kings would come from her. At this, Abraham fell upon his face and laughed as he mused as to how a child shall be born unto him who was a hundred years old and his wife Sarah who was ninety years old then.. So Abraham laughs.
This was something that not only seemed improbable, but impossible as well, because of their age, which in a sense could justify Abraham’s response of laughter, but it does not discredit his sense of doubt. However, notice that Abraham fell upon his face, implying that he was in a posture of submission and worship, despite his doubt.
Points to ponder:
God’s promises to us may seem incredulous at times and may even evoke a response of laughter, because in our humanness, we tend to doubt God, but what is important is that despite our doubt, we ought to submit to God for doubting without submitting is no laughing matter. God is sovereign and the improbable and impossible things of life are in fact certainties, if God wills.
Genesis 17:17
17 Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?
