Genesis 18:1-15, 21:1-7
The church’s calendar has made a shift; last week we observed Holy Trinity Sunday following which we enter into “ordinary time” in which Sundays are marked by their sequence after Pentecost. Today is known as the Second Sunday after Pentecost. This season will continue until we shift again with the season of Advent. Ordinary Time also holds some special festivals and observances such as Reformation Sunday, All Saints Day, Christ the King Sunday and Holy Cross Day. There are also days on which we commemorate many saints in the Church, particularly those who are referenced in Scripture. A saint is recognized on the date of his or her death when that is known and the color of a saint’s day typically is red but for some saints such as John the Baptist and Mary Magdalene the color is white.
Another of the shifts we find in ordinary time is the option of following an alternative first reading from the Old Testament. This alternative reading is a “semi-continuous” reading that follows a particular story line in the Old Testament. This year (Year A) the reading follows the story of Abraham and the patriarchs and then the call of Moses and the rescue of the God’s people from Egypt. Other years follow the story of King David and others the line of the prophets as well as some of the literary books of Scripture such as Job, Song of Solomon and Proverbs.
This year you may have noticed that Easter was late. The result of that is that Pentecost was late (fifty days after Easter) and some of the readings in semi-continuous series are omitted from the lectionary calendar. These are important to picking up the story where we are now. My friend and colleague, Rev. Patricia Raube writes this: “By the time we meet the family in this Sunday’s passage much has transpired. The couple, now named Abraham and Sarah, have waited on God’s promise of offspring “as numerous as the stars” for 24 years. (Genesis 15: 1-6) During that time they have taken matters into their own hands by using Sarah’s slave Hagar as a surrogate. When she took joy and pride in her pregnancy, Sarah “dealt harshly” with the Egyptian woman (the same phrase used to describe Pharaoh’s treatment of the Hebrew slaves in Exodus). She ran away, returning to Abraham and Sarah’s tents only after receiving a promise from God for the son she carried.
“During this time, Sarah has also had trials to endure, having been taken into the harems of two different kings as Abraham fudged the details of his relationship with his wife (who is also his half-sister). In each instance she was released when God made the divine displeasure known, and Abraham was enriched by the kings in question as they sought to get right with his God.
“Hagar and her son Ishmael (who is thirteen years old; see 17:25) are absent from the appointed passage for this Sunday. We find Abraham sitting under oaks even more ancient than this story, receiving visitors who are alternatively described in the text as the LORD, three men, or two angels.” Our reading for today picks up there.
Please read Genesis 18:1-15. What images or words strike you? What questions do you have about this? What would you have seen if you had been the proverbial “fly on the wall”?
In the nomadic society and culture of ancient times in the middle East, hospitality was of great importance because it could be a matter of life and death. So, when Abraham saw these visitors, even though he did not recognize or know them, he sprang into action. List the actions you see Abraham taking from the time he spots them on the horizon. It’s quite a list, isn’t it! I count at least 10!
Note the abundance of what Abraham offers to these guests – 3 measures of “choice” flour (a quantity roughly equivalent to 20 quarts!), a whole calf with curds and milk. No chance of running out of food! Think about the feast that was spread and the amount of time to prepare the feast. What do we learn about hospitality from this? Is there a feast in our day that might compare to this?
Consider the underlying message that these visitors brought to Abraham – “in due season, your wife Sarah will have a son.” And upon hearing this, Sarah laughed and, while we don’t have a record of Abraham’s reaction, what do you think it may have been – quiet faith, laughter as well, incredulity?
Read the second part of the Scripture – Genesis 21:1-7. We read of God’s faithfulness to Abraham and Sarah. When have you experienced God’s faithfulness, even after waiting perhaps for a long period of time?
Let us pray: Heavenly Father, you are a God who keeps your promises! You promised Abraham and Sarah that their offspring would be as many as the stars in the sky. And they waited and waited for this to come about. And it did. Give us the same faith and confidence as we wait and work for your kingdom to come to us today. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
