As a young girl I used to dislike sitting through church services. The sermons were always 45 minutes long, which seemed interminable. But Linnea and I talked recently about the “fun” of listening to sermons now, sometimes going online to hear one after another much like someone viewing a year’s worth of a favorite TV series in one weekend.
Those childhood sermons were wasted on me because I hadn’t figured out how interesting the Bible could be. For example, yesterday’s sermon at my Michigan church was based on Genesis 18, the story of an elderly Abraham and Sarah receiving baby news from 3 angels. I’ve heard the story many times but know that each time I come to it, God can reveal something new. This time through, he showed me a whole bunch of new things:
1. When the 3 angelic guests arrived, Abraham told Sarah to quickly make cakes using 3 seahs of flour. According to the notes, that’s 36 pounds! She had to do some major mixing and kneading, not to mention baking. Meanwhile, the 3 very honored guests had to wait quite a while for this “quick” lunch, including the time it took to kill, quarter, and roast a calf. It says: Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes.” (Genesis 18:6)
2. It’s also interesting the Lord didn’t say, “In 9 months you’ll have the baby.” He said, “A year from now.” He made them wait, no doubt testing their faith. It says: “The Lord said… about this time next year, Sarah shall have a son.” (Genesis 18:14)
3. One of the angel-messengers (who was thought to actually be the Lord himself, looking like an angel) said, “I’ll be coming back to you in a year, when the baby is born.” Later he repeated it for emphasis: “I’ll be back here in a year.” If that really was the Lord, what a spectacular promise! When the baby finally came, he wanted to be part of the celebration, too! I love that. It says: “I will surely return to you about this time next year.” (Genesis 18:10)
4. And something else: Sarah usually gets a bad rap for laughing from her hiding spot behind the tent door (laughing about their ages of 89 and 99). “Sarah laughed to herself…” (Genesis 18:12) But this time as I read the story, God showed me that Abraham had laughed, too, for the same reason (in the previous chapter). I’d never noticed that before. It says: “Abraham fell on his face and laughed…” (Genesis 17:17)
5. And isn’t it delightful that God, who named Isaac himself, chose the name that means “laughter”? It’s as if he was saying, “I totally understand why both of you laughed at this outlandish turn of events. I know it sounds crazy, but isn’t it a happy kind of crazy?” It says: “God said… you shall call his name Isaac.” [laughter] (Genesis 17:19) Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me.” (Genesis 21:6)
I have to laugh, too, with satisfying delight at finding such wonderful detail nestled in the words of God.
Sarah had lots of household help to make all that food. Also – I think things were so less hurried in those days. People took the time to sit and talk. Not like now – if company is coming at 6:30 we move heaven and earth to have everything ready to go on the table, or the hostess is like Martha – running around in the kitchen while other people entertain the guests. I’m sure there’s a lesson in there somewhere.
Thanks, Margaret for sharing this beautiful photo, of this waxed sculpture. I have a feeling that you may have absorbed more sermons, when you were little, than what you think. They, no doubt, have been stored in your mind, for these many years.
I love the fact that all of us benefit from your very special gift!
Good Morning, Margaret. Dare I admit that I didn’t listen to too many sermons when I was growing up and now wished I had? Ok…I’ll admit that I drew lots of pictures, played with my split ends and day dreamed while my dad shared God’s Word each Sunday. It’s been sweet to hear old sermons from Moody Church online over the years or to read one of his books and hear his voice as I turn each page. I believe our spiritual foundations were laid pretty firm while we were growing up, whether we realize it or not….but it is kind of funny that we both thought sermons were really long when we were just little girls sitting in church. Thanks for the smile here on the other side of the state.
Hugs,
Judy
Margaret, I would say you probably absorbed more than you think. It all came together to mold you into a beautiful woman of God that reaches out to so many. The tender years are for a great purpose. Blessings.
I have to agree with all of the above, Midge; What God has planned for us, He will prepare us for….and i remember you saying “you wanted to be a writer when you were younger’….so He planted that seed in you at birth, watered it with the Word – even when you didnt think you were absorbing the nutrients…..look at you now, girlfriend…..how you’ve blossomed, and the beauty you give the world, and the delight to your Father’s heart, because the SON shines on you and gives you what you need to give HIM glory and us the joy in what you share.