Jul 19
28
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Old Testament Reading: Genesis 18:1-15
“And the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth and said, ‘O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.’ So they said, ‘Do as you have said.’ And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, ‘Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes.’ And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly. Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate. They said to him, ‘Where is Sarah your wife?’ And he said, ‘She is in the tent.’ The LORD said, ‘I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.’ And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, ‘After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?’ The LORD said to Abraham, ‘Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.’ But Sarah denied it, saying, ‘I did not laugh,’ for she was afraid. He said, ‘No, but you did laugh.’” (Genesis 18:1–15, ESV)
New Testament Reading: Hebrews 13:1–6
“Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:1–6, ESV)
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Introduction
In just a moment we will consider Genesis 18:1-15. And when we do we will notice three things. First, that Abraham enjoyed communion with the LORD. Secondly, that the promise concerning a son was restated so that Sarah could hear it with her own ears. And thirdly, that Sarah doubted the LORD and was gently rebuked by him. The story is nicely divided into these three parts, and there is of course application to made along the way. But before we get there let me say just a few words about the context so that we might understand the role that this particular story plays in the larger story of Genesis, and indeed, of all of scripture.
First, let us look backwards. We should remember that this story immediately follows the account of the covenant that was transacted with Abraham, of which circumcision was the sign. This covenant was transacted progressively from Genesis 12 through Genesis 17. In brief, Abraham and all who belonged to him were to keep this covenant that God made with them. To keep it would mean that they would be blessed in the land, and to break it would mean that they would be cut off from the land and from the people of God. Remember also that this covenant was founded upon promises. The LORD promised that Abraham would have many descendents, that he would be given the land of Canaan, that he would be blessed, and that he would be a blessing to all the peoples of the earth. Indeed, the LORD would bless Abraham and make his name great, so that he would be a blessing. He would bless those who bless Abraham, and those who dishonored Abraham he would curse.
So then, by the end Genesis 17 Abraham and his offspring (the offspring that would come through Isaac) were clearly set apart in the world as unique and distinct. They — that is to say, the Hebrew people — from that moment to the arrival of the Christ, belonged uniquely to the LORD. Circumcision was a sign of their uniqueness. They were set apart unto the LORD from the other nations. They were blessed of God so that they might be a blessing.
And as we begging to look forward upon Genesis chapters 18 and 19 here is what I want for you to recognize. The events of chapters 18 and 19 illustrate what the fulfillment of the promises made to Abraham would look like. In other words, the events that are recorded for us in these two chapters demonstrated to Abraham (and to us) that God meant what he said. The LORD was serious about blessing Abraham, Abraham being a blessing, being those who blessed him, and cursing those who dishonored him.
I have used this word before in sermons, and hope that you are not growing tired of it, for it is an important concept. I do believe that the events of chapters 18 and 19 are typical. And by typical I mean that in the small and specific events that are recounted here in these two chapters we find a kind of picture or pattern of what God would do in the world in the future, but on a much larger scale.
So then, these events demonstrated to Abraham (and to us) that God could and would keep his promises, and they also established a pattern that would be repeated in different ways on into the future.
To set the pattern before you in a direct and succinct manner, notice these four things about Genesis 18 and 19: One, in Genesis 18:1-15 Abraham was blessed to have the LORD appear to him and to comune with him. Abraham served the LORD, and the LORD spoke to Abraham. Indeed, there is nothing more blessed than this — to have a right relationship with God; to know him, and to be known by him; to have him as Father and friend. Truly, Abraham was blessed of the LORD. Two, in Genesis 18:16-33 Abraham was privileged to pray for the cities of Sodom and Gomorra — that is to say, the nations. It was promised that Abraham would be a blessing to the nations, and here we see his concern for and his responsibility to intercede for the nations put display. Three, in Genesis 19:1-22 we will learn that the LORD rescued Lot from Sodom before he destroyed it showing that he would be faithful to preserve his faithful ones who lived in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. Indeed, those allied with Abraham who had the faith of Abraham would be blessed along with Abraham. Here we have picture of that very thing. Lot, who shared the faith of Abraham, was blessed of the LORD, though he lived in the midst of a pagan people. And four, in Genesis 19:23-29 we will learn that the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorra after he pulled Lot and his family out. This shows that not only would the LORD be faithful to bless those who blessed Abraham, but also to curse those who dishonored him.
Do you see, therefore, how the stories of Genesis 18 and 19 correspond to the promises that the LORD made to Abraham and the covenant that was transacted with him? Abraham would be blessed of the LORD, and he would be a blessing to the nations. Indeed, those who blessed him would be blessed, and those who dishonored him would be cursed. Not only did the LORD make these promised to Abraham, he also proved to Abraham (and to us) that he could and would do what he said.
As I have already said, the pattern established in the events of Genesis 18 and 19 was typical. This patern has been and will be repeated again and again throughout the history of the world. It would be repeated in the nation of Israel, it is being repeated now, and will be repeated until all things culminate in the return of Christ for his people, in the final judgement, and in making all things new. God is faithful. He will surely keep his promises.
Now that we have considered our text for today in the broader context of Genesis and of scripture, let us consider it in three parts.
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Abraham Was Blessed To Enjoy Communion With The LORD (v. 1-8)
First, in verses 1 through 8 we see that Abraham was blessed to enjoy communion with the LORD.
Verse 1 says, “And the LORD appeared to him [Abraham] by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day” (Genesis 18:1, ESV).
This verse is to be considered as commentary from Moses, the author of Genesis. In other words, Abraham did not know at first that it is was the LORD who was visiting him, but the author of Genesis wants the reader to know it from the start, and so he inserts this comment.
The narrative itself is clear. When Abraham saw the three men who came to him in the heat of the day, he thought they were but men, for that is what they looked like to him. But Moses wants the reader to know from the outset that it was really the LORD — capitol L-O-R-D; YHWH; the covenant making and keeping God — who visited Abraham.
Let marinate on this fact for a moment. When the LORD appeared to Abraham he came to him in the form of a man. Isn’t that interesting? He could have come in another form (God is not a man. He does not have a body). He could have come again in a vision. But here the LORD communed with Abraham in the form of a man. Does this not anticipate what God would eventually do to reconcile his people to himself through the Christ, who is the eternal Son of God come in the flesh?
Now, we must be careful here. When we speak of the Christ we are right to say that he was and is God incarnate. More specifically, we confess that he was and is, “The Son of God, the second person in the Holy Trinity, being very and eternal God, the brightness of the Father’s glory, of one substance and equal with him who, made the world, who upholds and governs all things he has made, [who], when the fullness of time was come, [took] upon him man’s nature, with all the essential properties and common infirmities thereof, yet without sin… so that two whole, perfect, and distinct natures were inseparably joined together in one person, without conversion, composition, or confusion; which person is very God and very man, yet one Christ, the only mediator between God and man” (Second London Confession, 8.2) This is what we mean when we say that the Christ is God incarnate.
What we see here in Genesis 18 is not that. It is not the incarnation. For it is not permanent. Nor is it God talking upon himself “man’s nature, with all the essential properties and common infirmities thereof”. Nevertheless, the LORD did appear to Abraham in the form of a man in order to commune with him. And I do believe that this anticipated the coming of the Christ and the incarnation, by which the redemption of God’s people would be accomplished, and our eternal communion with him secured.
So, verse 1 is an editorial remark. Abraham did not at first know that one of the three was the LORD, but we do.
Verse 2 is where the story begins. There we learn that Abraham “lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth” (Genesis 18:2, ESV).
Where did these “men” come from? We do not know. They seemed to appear out of nowhere. Perhaps Abraham had dosed off. After all, it was in “the heat of the day” — that is, during the afternoon hours when people tend to feel a little sleepy. Whatever the case, Abraham’s eyes were down and when he “lifted up his eyes and looked… behold, three men were standing in front of him.” You and I know that these men were more than mere men, for Moses has already warned us. But Abramam thought they were men. And being the hospitable man that he was, “he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth [verses 3] and said, ‘O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.’ So they said, ‘Do as you have said’” (Genesis 18:3–5, ESV).
Notice that Abraham addressed one of the three. Perhaps that one appeared to be the prominent, distinguished one.
And notice that Abraham did not call him “LORD”, but “Lord”. In the Hebrew, Abraham did not call him yehōwāh, which was the title that Moses used in verse 1, but aḏōnāy, a noun simply meaning lord or master used most frequently in the Old Testament to refer to a human lord, but also used of divinity. Again, Abraham thought that this was a man — probably a distinguished man — and so he called him Lord.
Abraham’s reaction to the appearance of three visitors might seem strange to us, but he was merely being hospitable. It was not uncommon for men to show honor to each other like this. Hospitality was very important in Abraham’s day, as it should be in ours. Travelers who traveled long distances on foot were dependent upon the hospitality of others. These three appeared to have traveled a long distance. They were hot. Their feet were dry and dusty. And so Abraham welcomed them. He offered them water to drink and to wash their feet along with a morsel of bread.
We should remember that the writer to the Hebrews had this story, along with the story of Lot’s hospitality in Genesis 19, in mind when he exhorted the Christian, saying, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (Hebrews 13:2, ESV). Notice that both Abraham and Lot were unaware that these we more than mere men. And notice that both Abraham and Lot where hospitable people. The writer to the Hebrews is saying that all of Abraham’s children should be like him in this regard. It is not that we should expect to entertain the LORD himself, or angels as Lot and Abraham both did. But it is to be a characteristic of Christians. We, like Abraham, should be hospitable people.
APPLICATION: There is point of application to be made here. I wonder, are you hospitable to others? Are you ready and willing to offer refreshment and encouragement to sojourners in need.
Now please here me, I am not suggesting that the Christian should willingly take just anyone into their home. That would be very foolish. Discernment is certainly needed. There are many people in this world who are wicked people who would be a danger to you and to your family. You should be very careful before welcoming strangers into your home. This is especially true for single women, the elderly, and families with young children. Be wise and discerning, friends.
And neither I am I suggesting that all are expected to show hospitality all of the time or in the same way. Some Christians are more gifted than others when it comes to hospitality. Some have greater resources so as to be able to share with those in need. And our ability to be hospitable will change as we go through different seasons of life. There are many factors that impact our ability to show hospitality.
But with those qualifications out of the way I ask again ask, have you thought about the importance and power of hospitality? How might you be used of the Lord to bring refreshment and encouragement to sojourners in need?
While it is certainly appropriate for a Christian to show hospitality to a non-Christian, I hope you would agree with me that it is most important for Christians to be hospitable towards one another. Listen to Galatians 6:10: “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10, ESV).
Brothers and sisters, are you ready and willing to do good to one another? Notice that I say “ready” and “willing”.
Are you willing? Do you have a heart to care for others, to refresh and encourage the weary traveler. We are all sojourners, are we not? Our hospitality should not be limited only to those who are passing through our city. After all, how many pass through our town? But we should be eager to refresh one another as we travel the dusty and sometimes discouraging roads of the Christian life. I ask, are you willing? Do you have a heart for it? Are you on the lookout for opportunities?
And then I ask, are you ready? To be willing one must prepare the heart, but to be ready one must prepare the home. And so I ask you, is your home ready? It need not be perfect. And it need not be large or extravagant. But it should ready to receive others should the opportunity arise. Are you managing your household in such a way that you are able to share with those in need? Is your house organized and clean? Are your finances in order? Have you set a bit aside to share with others. That may not be possible for all, but for some it is not possible because the money is not managed. And what about time? Are you so busy that no time is left for hospitality?
One of the things that encourages my heart greatly as a Pastor is when I hear that members of this congregation are being hospitable. I love to receive word that so and so had so and so into their home for a meal and fgellowship. That is not a little thing, but a very big thing. Those are very powerful moments. I love to hear that it is happening. And I would love to hear that it is happening more and more. Do you want to have a positive and powerful impact upon the life of this church? Then consider hospitality. Consider opening your home to others. Consider inviting others into your home for a meal and conversation so as to build one another up in Christ Jesus.
Abraham was clearly willing — he was actively looking for the opportunity — and he was ready.
Now granted, Abraham was very wealthy man. But look at how well his house was managed. These three guests arrived and he richly provided for their need with great speed and efficiency. Verse 6: “And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes.” And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly. Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them….” (Genesis 18:6–8, ESV).
Abraham’s household was well ordered. He was able to prepare a great feast for these travelers in a moments notice. It was much more than the “morsal of bread” and “water” that he humbly offered to his visitors at first, and he was prepared to set it before them in a moments notice. Again I ask, is your household in order? Is you life managed well so that showing hospitality is a possibility?
Look with me at the end of verse 8 where we read, “And he [Abraham] stood by them under the tree while they ate.”
Eventually Abraham would come to know that it was the LORD. It hard to know when exactly he figured this out. It appears that he knew by the time that he interceded for Sodom in Genesis 18:21ff. Did know that it was the LORD that he was serving as the three ate. It’s hard to say. But you and I know it, for Moses has told us that it was the LORD who visited him.
And so we have an interesting picture here, don’t we? The LORD ate in the presence of Abraham. In other words, the LORD communed with him. This again is typical. It is a theme that will be repeated throughout the pages of Holy Scripture as the story of redemption unfolds. Moses, Aaron and the seventy elders of Israel ate and drank before the LORD as Mosaic Covenant was confirmed with them (Exodus 24). Food offerings were to offered up to the LORD in the temple worship of Israel. The priests were to eat in the presence of the LORD. The disciples of Christ ate with him. And we eat before him each Lord’s Day as we celebrate the Lord’s Supper which he instituted. This will all culminate in the marriage supper of the Lamb when the Lord makes all things new (Revelation 19). What do all of these things have in common? The Lord communion with his people.
Brothers and sisters, there is no greater blessing than to enjoy communion with the LORD. The blessed man is one who is right with the Lord, who’s sins are forgiven. The blessed man is the one who knows the Lord, and is known by him. The blessed man is the one who enjoys communion with God. This story demonstrates that Abraham was truly blessed. The Lord appeared to him and ate before him and with him. And we are blessed in Abraham if we share in his faith, for by faith our sins are washed away, we are made righteous in his sight, and reconciled to him by the shed blood of Jesus, the true Son of Abraham, and Son of God.
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The Promise Concerning A Son Was Restated So That Sarah Could Hear (v. 9-10)
Secondly, in verses 9 through 10 we see that the promise concerning a son was restated so that Sarai hear it with her own ears.
Verses 9: “They said to him, ‘Where is Sarah your wife?’ And he said, ‘She is in the tent.’ The LORD said, ‘I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.’ And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him” (Genesis 18:9–10, ESV).
All of this, and more, had been revealed to Abraham. Did he not tell Sarah? I’m sure that he did. But perhaps Sarah was still struggling to believe these promises. In fact, the rest of the story will reveal that she was struggling inwardly. And so here the promise concerning a son is delivered again to Abraham, but this time in the presence of Sarah. She was listening at the tent door behind him.
APPLICTATION: This application has been made before, but I will make it again. Do you see how kind the Lord is to come to his people in their weakness to encourage and strengthen their faith? This he did for Sarah. And no, you should not expect the Lord to appear before you as he did to Abraham and Sarah. But he does meet with his people as they gather each Lord’s Day to communion with him. It is here that he feeds his people and encourages them in the faith.
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Sarah Doubted And Was Gently Rebuked By The LORD (v. 11-15)
The third and final observation is that Sarah doubted and was gently rebuked by the LORD.
Verse 11: “Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, ‘After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?’ The LORD said to Abraham, ‘Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.’ But Sarah denied it, saying, ‘I did not laugh,’ for she was afraid. He said, ‘No, but you did laugh’” (Genesis 18:11–15, ESV).
Notice three things. One, these were things that Sarah said to herself inwardly, and yet this “man” knew it. Two, this “man” knew Sarah’s name, though they were strangers to Abraham and Sarah. And three, this man reiterated the promised that the LORD had made to Abraham previously. I would assume that it was at this point that Abraham knew this was no mere man.
Sarah’s doubting is the significant part of this passage. Her doubt is understandable. The fulfillment of these promises must have seemed imposible to her. Both Sarah and her husband were old and past the age of childbearing. She had been barren her whole life. How could she possibly have child now?
But the question that the LORD put to her is a good one. “Is anything too hard for the LORD?” And then he stated the promise again, saying, “At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.”
APPLICATION: Is anything to hard for the Lord? This is a good question for us to put to ourselves. Is anything to hard for him? The answer is certainly, no! He is God Most High, the maker of heaven and earth. All things are under his authority and care.
It is good for us to remember that nothing is too hard for him when we bring our desires to him in prayer. He is able to that which seems impossible to us.
But it is especially important to that nothing is too hard for him when consider his promises so that we might rest assured that he will do what he has said. Nothing in all of his creation is able to thwart his will.
He will never leave us nor forsake us.
He will finish the work he began in us.
He will preserve us and bring us safely home.
This he will certainly do, for he has given us his word, and his word will stand.
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