The birth of Isaac: Echoes of the incarnation

Genesis 18:1-15

Abraham had been promised a son by God. In Genesis 12, 15 and 17 we see a picture build up as God tells Abram that he will have many descendants in a series of promises. God reinforces His promise in chapter 17 by saying changing his name from Abram (which means ‘exalted father’) to Abraham (which means ‘father of a multitude’).

In Genesis 18 we see God visit Abraham and reinforce the message face to face. The Lord appears and tells him that he will return in a years’ time and Sarah will have a son (v10). Sarah overhears and her reaction is to laugh and declare that this is impossible due to her age by saying, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child when I am so old?’ (v13). On a human level this is understandable as she was about 90 years old at the time. God responds to her laughter by assuring her that this will indeed be the case.

There are some incredible similarities with the story of Mary being told that she would give birth to Jesus. An angel appears to Mary and announces the fact that she is going to bear a son (Lk 1:31). Mary’s reaction is one of surprise and she exclaims, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ (Lk 1:34) The barriers of being beyond child-bearing age, in the case of Sarah, or being a virgin, in the case of Mary, have the same result: it is impossible to conceive! Unless, of course, God is involved in producing a miracle!

However, God’s response to both women is striking. To Sarah He says, ‘Is anything too difficult for the Lord?’ (v14). To Mary He says, ‘For nothing is impossible with God’ (Lk 1:38). The tone is similar. The message is the same. ‘Look beyond your circumstances to God who can do all things’.

These women could not, in the natural, become pregnant, but such barriers are insignificant when it comes to God.

Further reading: Luke 1:26-38

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To think about:
Have you experienced times when barriers have seemed insurmountable but God has turned the situation round?

Creative Response:

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