In Genesis 18:1-15 we hear about the three men who visited Abraham. God was among them and he told Abraham that he and Sarah would have a baby within a year.

When they heard this news Sarah laughed.

This story has been very focused on Abraham, but Sarah has a role that can’t be devalued.

A lot of people today are offended by the ancient patristic cultures. In this story, we see a picture of God interacting within the context of that culture. The Bible is the story of God working within the framework of broken human history to restore humanity to its original unbroken state. Just because we see these roles working out like this in the culture of Abraham and Sarah, does not mean that they are prescriptive for how we should act today.

For Abraham to view Sarah as a necessary part of God’s story seems so absurd it’s even laughable to him. But it’s not laughable to God.

The purposes of God Almighty are not threatened by what the world calls weak and powerless.

God has a plan for all of us. His plan isn’t contingent upon cultural norms or practices today. His plan is his plan, and he’s inviting all of us to be a part of it.

We long to be like those we perceive as powerful and strong instead of being who God calls us to be. When we are who he calls us to be we can experience his wisdom and strength and God will be glorified in us.

18 The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day.2 Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.

3 He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord,a]">[a] do not pass your servant by. 4 Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. 5 Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant.”

“Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.”

6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahsb]">[b] of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.”

7 Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. 8 He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.

9 “Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him.

“There, in the tent,” he said.

10 Then one of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.”

Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. 11 Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?”

13 Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”

15 Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.”

But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.”