Genesis 18
Introduction
We see Abraham in the presence of God, but he is seeing three men.
This chapter emphasizes Abraham’s hospitality and the revelation of God’s plan in relation to Abraham’s future and the future of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham showed hospitality to three men – believed by many to be a theophany, one of them being the Lord Jesus Christ. For Calvyn and others the three men are seen as a manifestation of the Holy Trinity. The chapter underscores for us Divine sovereignty, human response to God’s call and the importance of faith. It’s also an emphasis on the covenantal aspect, showing God’s faithfulness to His promises. In Gen. 19v1 we see two of the men turned out to be angels, while the third is the Lord. This appearance of God in a human manifestation anticipates the incarnation of the Son of God.
Consider the following:
- The Appearance of Three Men:
Abraham recognized the Lord. Would we recognize Him? Are we living in the presence of God?
a) Humility: Abraham received the Lord (v3).
b) Hospitality: Abraham revered the Lord and brought out the best. To know that all we have comes from God. We must recognize, receive and revere the Lord.
c) Honour - The Delivery of Three messages:
a) Abrahams’ Progeny:
We see the Lord’s Promise (v9, “… they said to him”) of a son. Notice Sarah’s response: Sarah is amused by this promise and scorns God’s promise. The Lord’s rebuke was addressed to Abraham (v13-15). We must not reject or scorn God’s promises regardless of impossible they appear to us through our human faculties. We must trust Him.
b) Abraham’s Purpose:
God reminds him why Abraham is in this world. Where is our fear of the Lord? The Lord did not want to hide what was about to happen to the city of Sodom and Gomorrah, since Abraham was going to become a mighty nation by God’s will. We must know that sins of this world have serious consequences. We must walk in reverent fear of the Lord. Abraham’s purpose is to have a duty to command his households to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice (see 2nd Corinthians).
All the promises made to Abraham are fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
c) Abraham’s Pain and Plea:
Abraham was concerned for his nephew Lot and in pain for the forthcoming destruction of his home and family. He then pleads for the righteous who are left in Sodom and Gomorrah.
Do we recognize, receive and revere the Lord as we should?