What Question Did God Ask About Anything Being Too Hard for Him?
Among the most powerful rhetorical questions in Scripture is the one God asked when Sarah laughed at the promise of bearing a son in her old age. This question goes beyond the moment at Abraham’s tent; it reveals a foundational truth about the nature, power, and faithfulness of God.
1. The Context of the Question
God had appeared to Abraham at the oaks of Mamre in the form of three visitors. During the visit, the Lord repeated the covenant promise:
“I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” (Genesis 18:10)
Sarah, listening behind the tent flap, laughed inwardly because:
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she was long past childbearing age,
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Abraham was old,
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and the promise seemed biologically impossible.
Her quiet, private reaction prompted God’s penetrating question—one that exposes human doubt and affirms divine omnipotence.
2. The Exact Question God Asked
God asked:
“Is anything too hard for the LORD?” (Genesis 18:14)
This was not a request for information. It was a divine reminder of His limitless power and authority. The question functioned as a gentle yet firm correction of Sarah’s doubt.
3. The Meaning of the Word “Hard”
The Hebrew word translated “hard” is פָּלָא (pala’), which means:
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too difficult,
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too wonderful,
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extraordinary,
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surpassing human ability.
Thus the question can also be understood as:
“Is anything too extraordinary or beyond My power?”
“Is anything too wonderful for Me to accomplish?”
The emphasis is not merely on difficulty but on divine possibility.
4. Why God Asked the Question
1. To Correct Sarah’s Doubt
Sarah’s laughter revealed:
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disbelief in her own ability to conceive,
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underestimation of God’s power,
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and emotional wounds from years of barrenness.
God’s question directed her attention away from her limitations and toward His unlimited ability.
2. To Affirm His Faithfulness
The promise of Isaac was not new; it was part of the covenant. God’s question reminded Abraham and Sarah that His word never fails, no matter how delayed or improbable.
3. To Reveal His Character
The question teaches that God is:
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Omnipotent (all-powerful)
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Sovereign over nature
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Faithful to His promises
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Merciful toward human weakness
Even though Sarah doubted, God did not condemn her—He reassured her.
5. The Timing in the Question Underscores God’s Sovereignty
After asking the question, God added:
“At the appointed time I will return to you… and Sarah shall have a son.”
This shows:
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God’s plan operates on His own timeline,
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God’s promises arrive at the perfect moment,
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The fulfillment is guaranteed because He Himself ensures it.
The impossible would happen not because Sarah was capable, but because God declared it.
6. The Question Echoes Across Scripture
God’s rhetorical question in Genesis 18 becomes a recurring theme throughout the Bible:
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Jeremiah later echoes it:
“Nothing is too hard for You.” (Jeremiah 32:17)
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The angel Gabriel repeats the same truth to Mary:
“For nothing will be impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37)
This consistent message shows that God’s power is:
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unchanged,
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unlimited,
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and unchallenged across generations.
7. The Question Transforms Sarah’s Perspective
Though she initially denied laughing out of fear, Sarah eventually embraced the truth behind God’s question. When Isaac was born, she declared:
“God has brought me laughter.” (Genesis 21:6)
Her laugh of doubt became a laugh of faith and joy—proving the very point of God’s question.
Conclusion: A Question That Invites Faith
When God asked, “Is anything too hard for the LORD?”, He was not merely correcting Sarah. He was shaping the faith of all who would hear this story.
The question calls every believer to remember:
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God is greater than human limitations.
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God is not bound by biology, age, or circumstances.
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What seems impossible to us is ordinary to Him.
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God’s promises are fulfilled by His power, not our capability.
This question is both a challenge and a comfort—inviting trust in the God who can do the impossible.