Genesis 18:14
Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This verse isn't just about a promise, but a divine challenge to our limited perspective. The question "Is anything too hard for the LORD?" isn't rhetorical; it's God directly confronting the impossible situation Sarah's old age and barrenness present, revealing that human "hard" is divine "possible." It highlights that when we struggle to believe God, it's often because we're measuring His power by our own limited understanding.
Just moments after Sarah's embarrassed denial of laughing at the unbelievable promise of a son, one of the divine visitors, speaking for the LORD, directly addresses her unbelief. This declaration that nothing is too difficult for God's power serves as a powerful response not only to Sarah's private doubt but also to the human impossibility of a woman her age conceiving. The speaker then reaffirms the promise, specifying it will happen within a year, at the appointed time for bringing forth new life.
Sarah just laughed in disbelief when told she'd have a son. Why is it so hard for us, like Sarah, to trust God when things seem impossible?
The verse rings out with a powerful question: "Is anything too hard for the LORD?" This isn't just a rhetorical question; it's a divine challenge to Sarah's (and our) limited perspective. Sarah, advanced in age and barren, found the promise of a son utterly unbelievable. Her laughter, though hidden, spoke volumes about her struggle to reconcile God's word with the 'natural' order of things. The commentary highlights that the original Hebrew can be translated as 'Is anything too wonderful for Jehovah?' This emphasizes that God's power isn't just about overcoming obstacles, but about performing acts that surpass human comprehension. When we face situations where nature, logic, or our own strength fall short, this question calls us to shift our focus from our limitations to God's boundless capability.
God doesn't just promise what will happen, but when. What does His specific timing tell us about His faithfulness?
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Genesis 18:14 is available in the Sola app.
The promise isn't just about a son, but about when that son will arrive: 'At the appointed time I will return to thee, about this time next year.' This phrase, 'the time of life' in some translations, points to a specific, divinely ordained moment. It signifies that God's promises unfold according to His perfect schedule, not ours. Sarah's disbelief stemmed partly from the impossibility of the event, but also from its timing – she was far past childbearing age. God’s response highlights that His 'appointed time' transcends natural limitations. This is a crucial reminder for us: God's faithfulness isn't just in fulfilling His promises, but in fulfilling them at the right time, a time that may seem unnatural or even impossible from our vantage point.
Understand the original words
mo'ed · Hebrew Noun
The specific, determined time set by God for the fulfillment of His promises or the execution of His divine purposes.
ben · Hebrew Noun
A male child born to a mother; in Scripture, often used to signify the continuation of a lineage, covenant blessings, or the heir of a promise.
This verse is spoken by the LORD in response to Sarah's laughter of disbelief at the miraculous promise of a son. It emphasizes God's omnipotence in the face of human limitations and His faithfulness to His covenant promises, even when human faith falters.
c. 2090 BC
God's Covenant with Abraham
God formally establishes a covenant with Abraham, promising him countless descendants and that through him all nations would be blessed. This sets the stage for the long-awaited heir.
c. 2090 BC
Birth of Ishmael
Abraham and Sarah, impatient with the promise, have a son, Ishmael, through Hagar. This event would later cause significant strife and highlights their struggle to fully trust God's timing and power.
c. 2090 BC— this verse
The LORD Appears to Abraham
The LORD, accompanied by two angels, appears to Abraham near the oaks of Mamre, revealing His intention to judge Sodom and Gomorrah and reaffirming the promise of a son with Sarah.
c. 2090 BC
Sarah's Disbelief and Laughter
Sarah overhears the promise of a son and laughs inwardly due to her old age and barrenness, revealing her doubt about God's power to fulfill the promise.
c. 2090 BC
Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah
Following the divine visit, the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah are destroyed by fire and brimstone, demonstrating God's judgment on sin and the consequences of rejecting Him.
This passage echoes the same theme of God's omnipotence, with Jeremiah exclaiming 'Ah, Lord GOD! behold, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! There is nothing too hard for you.'
Luke 1:37This New Testament passage directly quotes the Septuagint translation of Genesis 18:14, emphasizing the absolute impossibility of anything hindering God's plans: 'For with God nothing shall be impossible.'
Romans 4:19-21This passage about Abraham's faith highlights his belief in God's power to fulfill promises even against natural odds, mirroring the situation with Sarah and the promise of Isaac.
Job 42:2Job's profound realization after his trials, 'I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted,' powerfully reflects the sentiment that God's power is absolute, as declared in Genesis 18:14.
calvinGenesis 18:1-33: "And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;"
Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.
Et negavit Sarah, dicendo, Non risi: quia timuit. Et dixit, Nequaquam, quia risisti.
And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.
Et surrexerunt inde viri, et respexerunt contra faciem S…
gillGenesis 18:14: "Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son."
Is anything too hard for the Lord?.... Whose power is infinite; or "too wonderful" (x), so wonderful and beyond all belief, that it can never be thought it will be done by him; and why then should it be thought incredible or impossible that Sarah should have a child, though she is old? Or, is "anything hidden from the Lord" (y)? Nothing c…
This verse isn't just about a promise, but a divine challenge to our limited perspective. The question "Is anything too hard for the LORD?" isn't rhetorical; it's God directly confronting the impossible situation Sarah's old age and barrenness present, revealing that human "hard" is divine "possible." It highlights that when we struggle to believe God, it's often because we're measuring His power by our own limited understanding.
Just moments after Sarah's embarrassed denial of laughing at the unbelievable promise of a son, one of the divine visitors, speaking for the LORD, directly addresses her unbelief. This declaration that nothing is too difficult for God's power serves as a powerful response not only to Sarah's private doubt but also to the human impossibility of a woman her age conceiving. The speaker then reaffirms the promise, specifying it will happen within a year, at the appointed time for bringing forth new life.
Just moments after Sarah's embarrassed denial of laughing at the unbelievable promise of a son, one of the divine visitors, speaking for the LORD, directly addresses her unbelief. This declaration that nothing is too difficult for God's power serves as a powerful response not only to Sarah's private doubt but also to the human impossibility of a woman her age conceiving. The speaker then reaffirms the promise, specifying it will happen within a year, at the appointed time for bringing forth new life.
"Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.”" — This verse isn't just about a promise, but a divine challenge to our limited perspective. The question "Is anything too hard for the LORD?" isn't rhetorical; it's God directly confronting the impossi…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
