“And the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I surely bear a child, since I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord?” Genesis 18:13-14 NKJV

This week’s Torah portion is as exciting as it is perplexing. In Synagogues worldwide, the question will be asked, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” I watched as an Orthodox Rabbi avoided the greatest miracle in the story. Genesis’ plain reading, it seemed for him, was simply too difficult for the Lord to have performed. What miracle, you ask? Was it the opening of a barren womb? No, he believed that was possible. Was it that a promised child would change the course of history? No, that too, he believed. So, what was too hard? He could not accept that it was the LORD who appeared physically, visibly, to eat a meal with Abraham. He argued all three men were angels and proceeded to give their names. Yet, the text clearly says, “The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh…?” But before we judge harshly, let us examine our own unbeliefs.  Perhaps there is more to the Genesis account.

Is anything too hard for the Lord

Who then ate lunch with Abraham? The text calls the man who spoke with Abraham Jehovah. Another clue is given after the meal, however, for those who need more. Jehovah walked with Abraham toward Sodom to discuss the impending judgment.

“And the Lord (Jehovah) said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing…?” (Gen. 17:17) Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord.” Genesis 17: 22 NKJV

Abraham pleaded for the cities of the plain, Sodom and Gomorrah. At the end of his intercession, The Lord (Jehovah) told Abraham that if just ten righteous are found, He will spare the cities. (Genesis 18:32) When ten could not be found, we see another impossible verse, one noted as early as the 2nd Century by followers in Yeshua, as a clue to who ate lunch with Abraham.

“Then the Lord (Jehovah) rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the Lord (Jehovah) out of the heavens.” Genesis 19:24 NKJV

There are two named Jehovah in this verse! Jehovah on the earth rained fire down from Jehovah in heaven. How can we explain this? Could it be that the One who ate lunch with Abraham was the “Word” made flesh?  Justyn Martyr, as early as the 2nd Century, argued that this Jehovah was the very same who had spoken with Abraham, while the other two in human form are identified as angels.

The Eternal Father and Son

What miracle still makes people laugh? That the Creator limited Himself to a form that could be seen and even eat a meal with Abraham. Yet this miracle is not too hard to accept when you understand the nature of the Father and Son.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” Genesis 3:16-17 NKJV

It isn’t the miracle of God giving a child to an old couple, opening her closed womb, that causes laughter today.  It is that Yeshua came from a closed (virgin) womb, and was the Word made flesh and dwelled among us which engenders derision. Many laugh when they read the prophecies that God will dwell with men, and that He desires to share His covenant meal of salvation with us.

What challenges the limits of your faith? Have you labeled something too big for God? Like Sarah, are you chuckling over a promise? I encourage you to believe for the impossible. And, if you have not personally met Him, allow Yeshua, the exact representation of the Father, to fellowship with you, as He did with Abraham so long ago. Even now He stands at the door of your heart.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20 NKJV