Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be in the presence of someone so holy, so righteous, that even angels felt... diminished?
That’s the kind of awe that Abraham inspired, according to Ginzberg's undefined. Even though the angels took on human form, hiding their true nature, Abraham’s sheer spiritual presence made them feel… well, a little less angelic. Imagine that!
Now, these weren't just any angels, mind you. These were archangels! And after they shared a meal with Abraham – a famous story in the Bible, of course – they politely inquired about Sarah. Even though they knew she was in her tent, it was the proper thing to do, to acknowledge the lady of the house. It was also proper to send her the cup of wine over which the blessing had been said. Chivalry, it seems, exists even in the heavenly realms.
Then, Michael, the greatest of the angels, announced that Sarah would have a child, Isaac. It wasn't just a vague prophecy, either. According to the Legends, Michael actually drew a line on the wall, saying, "When the sun crosses this point, Sarah will be with child, and when he crosses the next point, she will give birth to a child." Talk about specific!
Now, this message, this incredible promise, was really meant for Sarah, not Abraham. He'd already received the news, remember?
But here's where it gets interesting. The angels made this announcement at the entrance to Sarah’s tent. And who was standing there? Ishmael. It wouldn’t have been right to deliver such a momentous message in secret, without a witness.
And then, a fascinating detail: The beauty of Sarah was so radiant that a beam of it struck the angel, causing him to look up. In that moment, turning towards her, he overheard her laughing to herself.
What was she laughing about? She was thinking, "Is it possible that these old bowels can yet bring forth a child, these shriveled breasts give suck? And though I should be able to bear, yet is not my lord Abraham old?" (Genesis 18:12)
Sarah's laughter, of course, becomes a central theme. It reveals her understandable disbelief, but also highlights the miraculous nature of what was about to happen. It’s a very human moment amidst the divine.
What does it all mean? Perhaps it's a reminder that even in the presence of angels, even with promises etched in celestial timelines, doubt and wonder can coexist. And maybe, just maybe, that's what makes the story so enduringly human.