Then Sarah said, "God has made me laugh, and everyone who hears of this will laugh with me." Sarah saidThe name "Sarah" in Hebrew means "princess," reflecting her role as a matriarch in the lineage of Israel. Her speaking here is significant, as it marks a moment of personal testimony and fulfillment of God's promise. In the patriarchal society of ancient times, Sarah's voice being recorded highlights the importance of her experience and the divine intervention in her life. God has made me laugh
The Hebrew word for "laugh" is "צָחַק" (tsachaq), which can mean to laugh, to rejoice, or to mock. In this context, it is a laughter of joy and amazement. This laughter is not just a personal reaction but a divine gift, as God has turned her previous skepticism into joy. It reflects the miraculous nature of Isaac's birth, as Sarah was well beyond childbearing years, emphasizing God's power to fulfill His promises against all odds. and everyone who hears of this
This phrase suggests the communal nature of God's blessings. The birth of Isaac is not just a private joy for Sarah but a testimony to the surrounding community. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, news of such a miraculous event would spread quickly, serving as a witness to God's faithfulness and power. It underscores the idea that God's works are meant to be shared and celebrated among His people. will laugh with me
The laughter here is communal, indicating shared joy and celebration. It also serves as a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham and Sarah, as Isaac's name itself means "he laughs." This shared laughter can be seen as a form of worship and acknowledgment of God's intervention. It transforms Sarah's initial doubt into a collective affirmation of faith, illustrating how personal experiences of God's faithfulness can inspire and uplift the broader community. Persons / Places / Events 1. SarahThe wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac. Her laughter signifies joy and fulfillment of God's promise. 2. IsaacThe son of Abraham and Sarah, whose name means "he laughs," reflecting the joy and surprise of his birth. 3. AbrahamThe patriarch of the Israelites, who received God's promise of a son in his old age. 4. GodThe divine being who fulfills His promise to Abraham and Sarah, demonstrating His faithfulness. 5. The Birth of IsaacA miraculous event, as Sarah bore a child in her old age, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham. Teaching Points God's FaithfulnessGod's promises are sure, even when they seem impossible by human standards. Sarah's laughter is a testament to God's faithfulness. Joy in FulfillmentThe fulfillment of God's promises brings joy not only to the individual but also to the community. Sarah's laughter invites others to share in her joy. Transformation of DoubtInitial doubt can be transformed into joy and faith. Sarah's journey from skepticism to laughter is a powerful example. The Power of God's TimingGod's timing is perfect. Isaac's birth at the appointed time demonstrates that God's plans unfold according to His divine schedule. Community of BelieversThe shared laughter signifies the importance of community in celebrating God's work. Believers are encouraged to rejoice with those who rejoice. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Sarah's laughter in Genesis 21:6 reflect a change in her faith journey from earlier chapters? 2. In what ways can we see God's faithfulness in our own lives, similar to His promise to Sarah and Abraham? 3. How can we, as a community of believers, better share in each other's joys and fulfillments of God's promises? 4. What are some areas in your life where you have experienced doubt, and how can Sarah's account encourage you to trust in God's timing? 5. How does the birth of Isaac and the joy it brought relate to the joy experienced by Elizabeth and her community in Luke 1:58? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 17:17Abraham's initial reaction to God's promise of a son was laughter, showing a mix of disbelief and joy. Genesis 18:12-15Sarah laughed when she first heard the promise of a son, indicating her initial doubt. Hebrews 11:11Highlights Sarah's faith, which was strengthened as she believed in God's promise. Luke 1:58Elizabeth's neighbors and relatives shared in her joy at the birth of John the Baptist, similar to Sarah's experience. People Abimelech, Abraham, Hagar, Isaac, Phichol, SarahPlaces Beersheba, Egypt, Gerar, ParanTopics Account, Cause, Heareth, Hearing, Hears, Laugh, Laugheth, Laughing, Laughter, News, SarahDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 21:6 5150 face
5663 childbirth
5865 gestures
5874 happiness
5900 laughter Genesis 21:1-7 5076 Abraham, life of
5733 pregnancy Genesis 21:6-7 5724 offspring Library Compassion for Souls
Behold the compassion of a mother for her child expiring with thirst, and remember that such a compassion ought all Christians to feel towards souls that are perishing for lack of Christ, perishing eternally, perishing without hope of salvation. If the mother lifted up her voice arid wept, so also should we; and if the contemplation of her dying, child was all too painful for her, so may the contemplation of the wrath to come, which is to pass upon every soul that dies impenitent, become too painful …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871Therefore, if we Compare the Things Themselves, we May no Way Doubt that The...
28. Therefore, if we compare the things themselves, we may no way doubt that the chastity of continence is better than marriage chastity, whilst yet both are good: but when we compare the persons, he is better, who hath a greater good than another. Further, he who hath a greater of the same kind, hath also that which is less; but he, who only hath what is less, assuredly hath not that which is greater. For in sixty, thirty also are contained, not sixty also in thirty. But not to work from out that …
St. Augustine—On the Good of Marriage The Gospel Feast
"When Jesus then lifted up His eyes, and saw a great company come unto Him, He saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread that these may eat?"--John vi. 5. After these words the Evangelist adds, "And this He said to prove him, for He Himself knew what He would do." Thus, you see, our Lord had secret meanings when He spoke, and did not bring forth openly all His divine sense at once. He knew what He was about to do from the first, but He wished to lead forward His disciples, and to arrest and …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII Of Bearing the Cross --One Branch of Self-Denial.
The four divisions of this chapter are,--I. The nature of the cross, its necessity and dignity, sec. 1, 2. II. The manifold advantages of the cross described, sec. 3-6. III. The form of the cross the most excellent of all, and yet it by no means removes all sense of pain, sec. 7, 8. IV. A description of warfare under the cross, and of true patience, (not that of philosophers,) after the example of Christ, sec. 9-11. 1. THE pious mind must ascend still higher, namely, whither Christ calls his disciples …
Archpriest John Iliytch Sergieff—On the Christian Life But if Moreover any not Having Charity, which Pertaineth to the Unity of Spirit...
23. But if moreover any not having charity, which pertaineth to the unity of spirit and the bond of peace whereby the Catholic Church is gathered and knit together, being involved in any schism, doth, that he may not deny Christ, suffer tribulations, straits, hunger, nakedness, persecution, perils, prisons, bonds, torments, swords, or flames, or wild beasts, or the very cross, through fear of hell and everlasting fire; in nowise is all this to be blamed, nay rather this also is a patience meet to …
St. Augustine—On Patience The Annunciation of Jesus the Messiah, and the Birth of his Forerunner.
FROM the Temple to Nazareth! It seems indeed most fitting that the Evangelic story should have taken its beginning within the Sanctuary, and at the time of sacrifice. Despite its outward veneration for them, the Temple, its services, and specially its sacrifices, were, by an inward logical necessity, fast becoming a superfluity for Rabbinism. But the new development, passing over the intruded elements, which were, after all, of rationalistic origin, connected its beginning directly with the Old Testament …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
Syria: the part played by it in the ancient world--Babylon and the first Chaldaean empire--The dominion of the Hyksos: Ahmosis. Some countries seem destined from their origin to become the battle-fields of the contending nations which environ them. Into such regions, and to their cost, neighbouring peoples come from century to century to settle their quarrels and bring to an issue the questions of supremacy which disturb their little corner of the world. The nations around are eager for the possession …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4 The Holiness of God
The next attribute is God's holiness. Exod 15:51. Glorious in holiness.' Holiness is the most sparkling jewel of his crown; it is the name by which God is known. Psa 111:1. Holy and reverend is his name.' He is the holy One.' Job 6:60. Seraphims cry, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory.' Isa 6:6. His power makes him mighty, his holiness makes him glorious. God's holiness consists in his perfect love of righteousness, and abhorrence of evil. Of purer eyes than …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 21:6 NIVGenesis 21:6 NLTGenesis 21:6 ESVGenesis 21:6 NASBGenesis 21:6 KJV
Genesis 21:6 Commentaries
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