Sarah laughed, &c.— It is universally agreed, that Sarah's was not a laugh of joy arising from the Divine promise, but a laughing springing from incredulity, as we think it appears that Abraham's was also. See note on ch. Genesis 17:17. She, however, supposing herself concealed from her guests, as she stood in the tent-door, to which the backs of her guests were turned, was greatly terrified at finding her incredulity detected; and therefore denied it: but the Divine Visitant shewed his knowledge of her thoughts; and thereby proved himself to be, what he is called, the LORD, the JEHOVAH, Genesis 17:13. To demonstrate, in the fullest manner, the Divine interposition her incapability of conception in a natural way, is modestly expressed, Genesis 17:11.
REFLECTIONS.—Now Abraham begins to find he has lost nothing by his guests. He invited men, but he finds among them his Lord. Note; They who do good to the least of Christ's little ones, do it unto him. Observe,
1. Their inquiries after Sarah. The women, according to the eastern custom, sat not down with the men to meat. But the guests shewed by their inquiring, that they were no strangers to his family. Civil inquiries are kind.
2. Abraham's answer. She is where she should be, in the tent. The duty of a wife is to be a keeper at home; and when we are in the way of duty, we may expect to find a blessing.
3. The promise made to Sarah. Now the Lord begins to appear. He speaks more than man, who can say, "I will, Thou shalt." Blessed be his name! not only all his promises, but his commands run thus to the believer: he makes the believer what he wills him to be.
4. Sarah's unbelief. Though out of sight, not out of hearing: she laughed at an event so improbable. Note; (1.) Reason is a bad guide in matters of faith. (2.) The same appearances may arise from different causes: a smile may bespeak contemptuous unbelief, or satisfied confidence. (3.) If Sarah called her husband Lord, let her daughters remember and imitate her respect.
5. The rebuke given her. Why did Sarah laugh? Is any thing too hard for God? Learn, (1.) Suspicions of God's power or grace, or both, are very displeasing to him. (2.) Rebuke is one of the kindest instances of friendship, and one of the best returns for favours received. Let the righteous smite me friendly. (3.) Unwillingness to give, and backwardness to receive reproof, are sure signs of a perverse or cold heart.
6. Sarah's denial. To conceal one fault, she makes two. One sin seldom comes alone. Nothing leads us into a lie sooner than fear. Fools that we are, not to place that fear on the proper object. Can man's rebukes be equal to those which God hath appointed for lying lips? O that we feared him more, and man less! Yet this rebuke wrought good effects: though unbelief prevailed before, faith triumphs now: he that knew her heart, could give the son. Note; When we might expect chastisement for our sin, God oftentimes overwhelms us and humbles us with mercies.