Genesis Chapter 18

Three Visitors

Genesis 17 is a powerful reminder that we ABSOLUTELY MUST OBEY GOD in His Perfect timing, or we are out of His Will and in sin. Our life’s goal should be to seek His Will and wait for His wisdom, guidance and instructions and His timing.

18:1-2

God actually ‘appears’ to Abraham in the form of a man; we call this appearance of God in human form a ‘theophany’. Notice that Abraham is simply sitting in the doorway of his tent during the hottest part of the day. We are also told that this appearance of God was by the oaks of Mamre. (2.) We can assume that Abraham may even have been dozing a bit, yet suddenly he looks up and there were three ‘men’ standing near him. Immediately, Abraham jumps up and runs to meet them, bowing before them in homage. Notice that there are three spiritual beings in human form. We will soon learn that two of them are angels and the third is actually God Himself. When God opens up an opportunity to see Him better, do we jump up and run to meet the opportunity?

18:3

Abraham addresses God as My Lord; asking God to allow him to offer He, and the angels, his hospitality. Notice the phrase “.. If I have found favor in your sight, don’t leave me, I beg you!” Abraham knew that these men had suddenly appeared from nowhere; as no one travels during the heat of the day, and they were not visible earlier. We can be certain that Abraham also knew that they were from heaven. When God reveals Himself to us in some special way, do we acknowledge Him as our Lord, God and Savior?

18:4-5

Washing of the feet acknowledges Abraham’s inferiority to these ‘men’ and that he is honoring God and the angels. Offering them food and rest was considered to be a way of acknowledging their importance and honoring them by offering them generous hospitality. Abraham says he believes that was why they had come to him; for rest and food. ‘They’ reply, do as you have spoken. When we promise to do something for God are we prepared to keep our promises? Ever promise God something, even something that may seem small and unimportant, and then fail to keep your promises?

18:6-7

We can assume that Abraham is running back to the tent, awakens Sarah and tells her to quickly prepare three measures of fine meal and bake it into special dinner rolls for their honored guests. We can probably assume that he says: “you won’t believe Who has stopped in to visit us; use the finest ground flour we have!!” (7.) Abraham is still running and rushing to provide the best food and drink possible for his heavenly guests. Notice that he selects the best calf from his herd and directs his best butcher to prepare the calf for Abraham to cook. Normally, as the leader of the household, Abraham would have given these tasks to his servants to do; yet we see Abraham so intent on getting the very best for God as quickly as possible, that he is doing the selecting and preparation.

18:8

Abraham is continuing to rush around preparing curds and milk along with the calf, baked bread and whatever else he had prepared. Abraham himself serves the three men. Notice that Abraham does the serving himself, rather than having his servants do the work. He obviously is taking no chances on anything not being absolutely perfect for God! Abraham standing by the angelic men as they eat is a sign of constant servitude. Notice Abraham does not sit down with them and eat; instead he takes the position of the perfect servant, ready to provide whatever God asks of him. Keep in mind that God and the angels did not need to eat anything! So why did God approach Abraham, then encourage him to go ahead and provide for Himself and the two angels? Could this have been part of God’s testing of Abraham to see if his words and his actions proved his faith regarding serving God? So, how do you measure up when it comes to hospitality? Do you go all out for friends, yet strangers are ignored? See Hebrews 13:2 where we are told to generously and graciously extend hospitality, even to believers we don’t really know (strangers); for some of us will have entertained angels without knowing it.

18:9

Suddenly we are told exactly what the men say to Abraham: “Where is Sarah your wife?” Abraham immediately tells them where she is, in the tent; without asking any questions. When God asks us something unexpected, do we answer in faith, or question Him? Are you kidding Lord? Me? No way? Have you missed out on some wonderful blessings from God because you questioned instead of obeyed?

18:10

Now God speaks the specific fulfillment of the prophecy promised so long ago to Abraham. “I will surely return to you when the ‘season’ comes around, and behold, Sarah your wife, will have a son.”. The terms surely, behold and will all assure Abraham that God is right now about to fulfill His promises to him! Sarah is just like us, she is standing just behind the tent door listening to every word that is being spoken! I wouldn’t want to miss a thing these angelic beings are saying, either; would you?

18:11-12

Just in case we haven’t been carefully studying all that has happened to Abraham and Sarah, and how very old they both are, the Holy Spirit reminds us that Sarah is so old that any possibility of her becoming pregnant ‘naturally’ has long ago passed. By this time she is 89 years old, way, way, way past the age of childbearing! (12.) Sarah just can’t contain herself, and laughs to herself; presumably thinking, or saying to herself; ‘I’m an old lady; and now I’m going to have pleasure and delight with my lord, (referring to her husband in an honoring way); who is even older?’ We can be positive that she is saying this in a sarcastic and joking way, much like we might say, ‘Oh sure, I’ll buy one lottery ticket and become a billionaire.’ In fact, you can believe our chances would have been better than Sarah’s to be successful!

18:13-14

Immediately God asks Abraham why Sarah is laughing and questioning, saying: ‘shall I really bear a child when I am so old?’ God goes on to assure Abraham, and of course Sarah, who is listening; that nothing is too hard or too wonderful for the Lord, God Almighty. ‘When the time of her delivery comes around, I, God, will return to you, and Sarah shall have borne a son.’ Remember, that we now know Jesus used these exact same words in Matthew 19:26 to assure all of us that NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR GOD! This is another one of those Truths that are mentioned for the very first time! See also Luke 1:37.

18:15

Sarah is afraid and panicked, and denies she laughed; yet God, says No, you did laugh. God is telling Sarah this so she will have the faith to believe that He knows everything and can do anything, even the impossible of rejuvenating her body and causing her to become pregnant and have the long promised son! He knows everything, even what we are thinking! So even when we don’t say something out loud, and just think it in our minds and hearts, God is listening! Now, Sarah realizes that God knows what she was thinking, even when she did say it loud! Pay close attention to this Truth; it is as True today for us as it was four thousand years ago!

18:16-19

The ‘men’ now prepare to continue on their way, traveling toward Sodom. Abraham walks along with them to see them off. He no doubt wants to be personally with God as long as possible. (17. – 19.) God is speaking to the angels, yet we are told what He says regarding Abraham; we can only assume that Abraham either heard, or this was revealed to him. God indicates that He will not hide from Abraham what He is about to do in Judging Sodom and the other cities of the plains. God prophecies that Abraham and his lineage will become a great and mighty nation, and that all the nations of the earth will be blessed because of him. In addition, God affirms that Abraham will command his children in the godly, righteous and just way to live, so that God can bring about all the promised blessings upon Abraham and the world of believers. Notice that Abraham had to obey God’s command in order for God to bless him. We also must obey God’s Word and commands for our lives in order for God to bless us. This Truth is for eternity, now, here on earth, and forever. Only those who truly love God and desire to do His will now and forever, will be able to enjoy Heaven. Think about it, unbelievers could never stand to be in the presence of a holy, righteous, perfect God.

18:20-21

God immediately gives the terrible reasons that He must execute judgement on Sodom and Gomorrah; their sin is very grievous, causing great pain and sorrow, causing people to cry out to God in agony. Keep in mind that these very peoples were previously miraculously rescued by Abraham in Genesis 14. They also saw and heard of the testimony of Melchizedek, and even were witnessed to by Lot. They had been given the Truth about the one True God of the Universe, yet chose to do terrible, wicked things we don’t even want to think about.

18:22-23

The angelic men then depart from God and Abraham, and begin their journey toward Sodom, presumably to exact the judgement; yet Abraham stays and stands before the Lord, God. (23.) Now we see and hear something unbelievable! Abraham marches right up to God and asks Him if He intends to destroy the wicked people along with the righteous people? This is one of the most interesting examples of ‘Jewish negotiating’ we will ever see.

18:24-26

Abraham becomes very bold and asks God if He would destroy the entire city, even if there were only 50 righteous; would God consider sparing the entire city if there were only 50 righteous? Abraham states that God is Righteous, so can the Judge of all the earth do right by destroying the innocent along with the guilty? Abraham is now interceding on behalf of the righteous people in the city, including his own nephew, Lot. God graciously agrees to spare the entire city for the sake of only 50 righteous.

18:27-31

Abraham doesn’t quit! He admits he has no value; yet asks God if there were just five short of the fifty, would He spare the city? God says: I will not destroy it if I find 45. (29.) Abraham continues to beg God for His mercy, how about 40? God agrees to spare the City if there are only 40 righteous. (30.) Abraham knows he is pushing too far, and asked God not to be angry with him, but how about if there are only 30? God agrees to spare the city for just 30 righteous. (31.) Abraham again begs God, how about if there are only 20? God says He will not destroy the City if 20 righteous can be found.

18:32-33

Now Abraham begs God once more, again earnestly begging Him not to be angry with him, but promising this would be his last request; would God spare the city if there were only 10 righteous in the city? God agrees to spare the city if there are only 10 righteous people in the entire city. (33.) The Lord now ceases communicating with Abraham and leaves him; and Abraham returns to his home.

How many truly righteous men are in your city? Are you begging God for His mercy and grace toward the unsaved in your family? How about in your circle of friends? Have you asked for Salvation for all those in your neighborhood? Your City? How about your entire State? America? (or your Country) Seriously consider praying II Chronicles 7:14-16. We, as believers, must continually pray before our Lord, God and Creator, begging Him for his mercy and grace for the unbelievers all around us. Right now, today, there are people and organizations who are working diligently to bring the lost to Jesus Christ, are you part of those praying and working toward bringing the lost to righteousness? Pray about it, and ask the Holy Spirit how you can intercede for those who do not know Jesus as Lord and Savior and are on their way to hell. God has something you can do, be courageous and faithful and ask how you can help the lost sinners come to Salvation through Jesus Christ, before God’s certain Judgement comes. Perhaps you could use the LIVE FOREVER flyers and thank you cards to share Jesus with the lost. Pray and seek God’s direction for you.

II Chronicles 7: 14-16: 14. “If my people, who are called by my Name, will humble themselves, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then, I will forgive their sin and heal their land. 15. Now, My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayers made in this place. 16. For now I have chosen and sanctified this house, that My name may be there forever; and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually. 17. As for you, if you walk before Me as your father David walked, and do according to all that I have commanded you, and if you keep My statutes and My judgments, 18. Then I will establish the throne of your kingdom, as I covenanted with David, your father, saying, ‘You shall not fail to have a man as ruler in Israel’.”

Do you want your ‘kingdom’ and ‘throne’ to be firmly established in God’s name? Do you really want TRUE success for yourselves and your families, your neighbors, your city, your state and your nation? Then fervently seek God’s Face; seek Him in all areas of your life; you have God’s eternal promise that He will make you successful!