After reading the comments I've already written on this portion, there appears to be little I can add to these comments regarding Sarah, even with SueJean, my own personal "Sarah". I am truly blessed and have likely lived more in the last four years than I had in the previous fourty. After reading again my updated comments on the last two portions, I also find that I may have effectively written on all three portions regarding Abraham and Sarah.
Even though I have already touched on the sovereignty of YHVH and the "fairness" of His judgment, or perceived lack thereof, I would like to conclude the overall story of Abraham with the particular subject of YHVH's everlasting dominion and control. With Abraham and Sarah as an example, it is a subject in contrast with human nature itself. As a challenge to all of us, I offer the following exerpt from my book, "Where Angels Fear To Tread", based upon the following from Peter in his second epistle.
"The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries, whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before Adonai."
2 Peter 2: 9-11
YHVH didn't waist any time passing judgment. Verse 31 says, “While the word was still in the king's mouth, a voice fell from heaven...” As we might say it, "the ink wasn't even dry yet and YHVH rained on his parade". This may well give another example in regards to the phrase, “then the Lord knows how”. In pronouncing Divine judgment, He brings about Divine providence.
After the time for his penalty had passed, Nebuchadnezzar had to acknowledge YHVH's dominion. In verse 34, he says, “I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: for His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation”.
John further establishes His dominion in Revelation 4: 10-11. “...The twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever...” In Luke 1: 33, Gabriel is quoted as saying to Mary, “And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end”. Yeshua said of Himself in Matthew 28: 18, “All power is given to Me in Heaven and earth”.
Certainly He is the "Alef and Tav”. He is, has been, and always will be our Messiah “without end”. These are only a few of many Scriptures that attest to the everlasting nature and dominion of Adonai. There are also many that clearly depict the exact opposite for the inhabitants of the earth.
Consider the continuing comments of the King of Babylon. He says, “All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing”. The prophet Isaiah says in 40: 15 and 17, “Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket, and are counted as the small dust on the scales...all nations before Him are as nothing, and they are counted by Him less than nothing and worthless”.
In harmony with Nebuchadnezzar,s praise of YHVH, “He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth”, the Psalmist writes the following in 115: 3. “But our God in heaven; He does whatever He pleases”. In 135: 6, he says, “whatever the Lord pleases He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deep places”.
King David had this to say in Psalms. 62: 9. “Surely men of low degree are a vapor, men of high degree are a lie; if they are weighed on the scales they are altogether lighter than vapor”. In saying, we as humans are worthless, he attempts to draw a contrast concerning the social classes of men. The accumulation of earthly wealth and status has absolutely no power to make one's stature any better. Actually, according to David, it can serve much the opposite purpose.
The Scriptures cited above clearly show YHVH as everlasting in His dominion and us as finite, very fallible, and rather worthless. But, is He is control? The answer is an obvious, resounding, YES! Not only is He in control, these Scriptures also indicate emphatically He is fully able to back up what He says and does. Nebuchadnezzar goes on to say, “No one can restrain his hand or say to Him, ‘What have you done?’”
Here is a man who spoke from personal experience. Wow! What an ego buster, to live in the fields as the cattle, without one scrap of dignity or sanity! He finally “saw the light” as the song says. Can we hear the sense of urgency and sincerity in his praise of the God of Daniel? Can we apply this precept to our own lives and make a turn toward yielding to His authority? Or, will we reject it in whole or part and continue on in our own wisdom?
Job writes in 34: 29, “When He gives quietness, who then can make trouble: and when he hides his face, who then can see Him, whether it is against a nation or a man alone?” Clearly, no one person can defy him. Not even the mightiest nation on earth can successfully stand against Him. The Apostle Paul weighs in on the subject in Romans 9: 20. He says, “But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against YHVH? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why have you made me like this’"?
The prophet Isaiah made the following statement in 29: 16, to which Paul referred in v. 20 of the above reference. He said, “Surely you have things turned around! Shall the potter be esteemed as the clay; or shall the thing made say of him who made it, ‘He did not make me?’ Or shall the thing formed say of him who formed it, ‘He has no understanding?’”
YHVH's dominion truly is forever! He does what He wishes and has the power and authority to back it up. And, many times He shows a propensity for the dramatic in the demonstration of that power and authority. Otherwise, we might be more easily inclined to follow our nature and propensity for rebellion against His authority.
When YHVH said He was speaking to me through His Word, the idea was solidified in my mind as I had always been taught. He nor Ruach YHVH would do nothing or ask anything apart from His Word. As I have learned in these three portions on Abraham, I am left with the opposite understanding. He is a jealous God. He will have none before or above Him. He certainly doesn't need our help to affect His duties as God of Israel, the earth, and the universe. All He asks of us is, "S'hema Y'Israel (hear AND obey)!" Deuteronomy 6: 4
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