The Miracle Called IsraelSample

God of miracles

Genesis 17 recounts the story of when God made Abraham laugh: “Then God said to Abraham, ‘As for Sarai, your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. And I will bless her and also give you a son by her; …Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed.”

Abraham laughed! God is speaking to him seriously, and he starts laughing?! 

The Bible continues: “(Abraham) said in his heart, ‘Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?’ And Abraham said to God, ‘Oh, that Ishmael might live before You!’ Then God said: ‘No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his descendants after him.’”

If you wonder why the peace deal that was signed in 2020 by Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States was called the Abraham Accords, it is because that is where the disagreement over the land began. There are those who say the land belongs to the descendants of Ishmael, the firstborn. But right there with that promise to Abraham, you can see who God chose to give this land to—Isaac. 

In Genesis 25, Isaac, who was 40 years old, took Rebekah as his wife. (So, if you’re 40 and still single, there’s hope. Don’t give up.) Isaac pleaded with the Lord for his wife because she was sterile. The Lord granted his plea, and Rebekah conceived. Another miracle! However, the children struggled within her. So, she went to inquire of the Lord, and He said, “Two nations are in your womb. Two peoples shall be separated from your body; One people shall be stronger than the other, and the older shall serve the younger.” God’s explanation was contrary to every tradition and custom then. God’s ways are not our ways. God’s thoughts are not our thoughts. 

In Genesis 32, we read how on his way back to his country and family, Jacob sent his wives and children over the brook with what he had; he was left alone. A Man wrestled with him, and Jacob asked Him, “Bless me!” The Man said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but ISRAEL; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.” This was the birth of the nation of Israel. To struggle with God and prevail—that’s another miracle!

Just as God made an everlasting covenant with Israel, He made an everlasting covenant with you, through Jesus. He is our miracle!