What ladies can learn: Notice in this passage the role of Sarah in welcoming the guests. Abraham was able to simply tell her "Make some bread," and she did it. Because she made the bread, Abraham was freed up to cook some meat for the visitors. They worked as a team. Sarah was just as important as Abraham, but Abraham was willing to lead and Sarah was willing to follow. As a result of their acceptance of their Biblical roles, their teamwork was smooth and effortless.
Please don't misunderstand this to mean that men are slavemasters of women--that is most definitely not God's will. 1 Peter 3:1-8 uses Abraham and Sarah as an example of Biblical marriage, but at the same time emphasizes the necessity of gentleness and respect on the part of the husband (those are two qualities of a good leader anyway):
1Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. 5For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, 6like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.7Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.
Suffering for Doing Good
8Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.
Highlighted characteristic of God: God shows many of His characteristics in this chapter, so we'll examine a few of them. First of all, God is all-powerful: He was able to promise Abraham and Sarah a child, even though they were too old to have children. Second, God is the giver of everything we have. From chairs and tables to shelter, children, and even life--God gives it all. Third, God knows everything! We may see this as obvious; after all, He's God, right? Nevertheless, like Sarah, we sometimes try to trick God into thinking we aren't laughing in unbelief (or we aren't angry with Him, or we aren't disappointed, or we aren't glad about something we shouldn't be glad about). God knows it all. He sees right through our disguise. God's all-knowing nature leads us to another point: God is holy and just, and He punishes bad people. God said that He had heard an outcry about Sodom and Gomorrah; though we can't be positive where this cry had come from, I like to think that it was peoples' prayers for help. As we read more about the character of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, you'll see that these two cities were filled with creeps and criminals--and that the cities' governments weren't protecting the citizens. As a result, God decided to visit the city and to step in on behalf of the people in need.
In two words? Wow, what a tough summary. I'll put it this way: God gives. Why? God gives miracles, God gives us everything we have, God gives knowledge, and God gives justice.
Highlighted characteristic for us: God hears a humble prayer. Notice Abraham's words: "I am nothing but dust and ashes" (verse 27). Abraham knew his place. Abraham knew that God was infinitely higher than him. But Abraham prayed--humbly--and God granted his requests.
Also, sometimes we treat God like a genie who only grants three wishes. We pray, and God answers us. We pray again, and God answers again. We pray again, and God answers again. And then we think, "Wow, God just answered three requests! I've gotta be pushing my limits here. I'll stop asking for awhile." That's exactly what the enemy wants us to think--that we should stop praying. Prayer is powerful. God tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to "pray continually" (and that's the entire verse). God wants us to keep praying to Him. Abraham asked God to change His mind six times! We, too, can approach God with requests (and praises).
In three words: Pray without limit.
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