And the Lord said to Abraham: Why did Sara laugh, saying: Shall I, who am an old woman, bear a child indeed?
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר יְהוָ֖ה אֶל־אַבְרָהָ֑ם לָ֣מָּה זֶּה֩ צָחֲקָ֨ה שָׂרָ֜ה לֵאמֹ֗ר הַאַ֥ף אֻמְנָ֛ם אֵלֵ֖ד וַאֲנִ֥י זָקַֽנְתִּי׃
5 Church Fathers comment on this verse · 6 commentaries
As she contemplated in the bush, the One who understands our deepest reflections desired to reveal the magnitude of His might and the truth that nothing is concealed from Him. He addressed Abraham, asking, “Why did Sarah laugh at this, saying, ‘Can I truly give birth when I am old?’” For she had indeed pondered this within her heart.
Yet Sarah, even with Abraham behind her, found strength in hope and laughed quietly to herself, questioning, ‘Can I, now that I am advanced in age, really become youthful? And my lord is also old.’
If Sarah had sought a sign, one would have been granted: first, due to her barrenness and advanced years; and second, because the promise made to her was unique, which could have led her to believe upon witnessing or hearing about it. However, even though she did not request a sign, one was given to her—within herself.
The Lord noted, ‘It was within her that Sarah laughed, asking, “Can I indeed bear a child in my old age?”’ Instead of acknowledging the sign she received, Sarah chose to conceal it with a falsehood, claiming, “I did not laugh.” But the angel revealed to her that her attempt to justify herself through deceit was futile, stating, “No, you have laughed in your heart. Look, your heart disproves the falseness of your words.”
Had Sarah requested a sign, one would have surely been granted to her, primarily due to her barrenness and advanced age, and secondarily because nothing like what was promised to her had ever occurred, which might have led her to believe upon hearing or seeing it. However, even without her asking for a sign, a sign was indeed manifested within her. The Lord addressed the matter, stating that Sarah laughed to herself, saying, "I will have a son, but I am old."
The devout individual, privileged to have his unseen Lord present before him, received an abundance of divine grace and partook in a delightful communion with Him. The loving Creator conversed with him as one would with a trusted companion. For his profound devotion, Abraham was granted a remarkable reward: another promise of a son through Sarah. However, Sarah found this hard to believe; she laughed and pondered, "Having been barren throughout my youth, is it possible for me to conceive now that I am old?" (Genesis 18:12-13). The Lord promptly addressed her doubts, saying, "Is anything impossible for God? By this time next year, you will bear a son" (Genesis 18:14). Following these declarations, the heavenly visitors, the Holy Trinity, arose from their meal with Abraham and set their sights towards Sodom, and he accompanied them to bid them farewell.
Sarah hears the announcement of Isaac's arrival with confusion, asking, "Will I really bear a child?" In a parallel but distinct manner, Mary, the mother of Jesus, receives the joyful news of His impending birth. While her reaction is not one of confusion, she too poses a question: "How will this be?" (Luke 1:34).
Sarah was unable to hide her presence in the wilderness from the mysterious visitor, nor could she mask the inner stirrings of her soul, which were manifested through quiet laughter. This visitor was none other than the Lord God, before whom all things are known. He is the Sovereign who can miraculously resolve her barrenness as He has assured, for what can obstruct the realization of His promise?
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS