In today’s passage of Scripture, we read the story of three men visiting Abraham (Genesis 13:18, 14:13). Two of these men were angels, and the other was the pre-incarnate Christ (Genesis 18:22, 19:1). What we have here is an occasion of “entertaining angels unaware” (Hebrews 13:2) and the fact that the Lord was visiting one of His own (John 14:23; Revelation 3:20). We do not know what he was doing at the time other than sitting in the doorway of the tent during the heat of the day. We can only speculate as to what was happening, but the Scripture states that he lifted his eyes, saw three men, and ran to greet them.
The Power of Faith and Abraham’s Humility
"The Lord appeared again to Abraham near the oak grove belonging to Mamre. One day Abraham was sitting at the entrance to his tent during the hottest part of the day. He looked up and noticed three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran to meet them and welcomed them, bowing low to the ground.'My lord,” he said, “if it pleases you, stop here for a while. Rest in the shade of this tree while water is brought to wash your feet. And since you’ve honored your servant with this visit, let me prepare some food to refresh you before you continue on your journey.”
“All right,' they said. 'Do as you have said.'
So Abraham ran back to the tent and said to Sarah, “Hurry! Get three large measures of your best flour, knead it into dough, and bake some bread.” Then Abraham ran out to the herd and chose a tender calf and gave it to his servant, who quickly prepared it. When the food was ready, Abraham took some yogurt and milk and the roasted meat, and he served it to the men. As they ate, Abraham waited on them in the shade of the trees."
We see in these verses that Abraham seemed enthusiastic about their arrival, as was Lot in Genesis 19:2. In biblical days, a person’s reputation was known widely by how they displayed hospitality to strangers. This was an important custom, the sharing of one’s home and food, in those days. Strangers were to be treated as well as one’s own family, friends, or neighbors (Genesis 24:32, 43:24; Judges 6:18-19, 19:5; Psalm 104:15; 1 Peter 4:9).
"Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!" - Hebrews 13:2,
There are a couple of other accounts of where someone met strangers who were angels, but they did not realize it. In Judges 6:11, an angel met Gideon and called him a “mighty man of valor.” In Judges 13:1-25, Manoah and his wife were informed that she would bear a son, much like Abraham and Sarah in our Scripture today.
To share your home and food was an important way to obey God in those days, and it should be today. However, it is unfortunate that there are not as many hospitable homes in our society today for strangers. Granted, people may open their doors to family and friends, but not as much to complete strangers. It could be deemed unsafe, and you cannot be sure of who to trust in your home. But let us not get too deep into the topic of strangers yet, for that is for another time.
I would like to look at the part where he “bowed himself toward the ground.” Why did he do that? At first, it looks as if Abraham does not know who these men are, yet he bows down to them. Was it a subconscious thing that caused him to do this? His action gives the impression of a person being humble. But why? God has already promised him a son and to become the father of many nations. But that did not cause Abraham to become self-centered and conceited. He bowed to God twice during chapter seventeen and now showed similar respect to these strangers. Seems to me that humility is an important characteristic to have.
Sarah's Laughter and God’s Assurance
“'Where is Sarah, your wife?' the visitors asked. 'She’s inside the tent,' Abraham replied." - Genesis 18:9
By verse nine, we read of the main reason why these men paid Abraham a visit. They came to tell Abraham that he and Sarah were to have a child, a son, to be exact. Now we know by this time in their lives that they were on up in age, and it had passed the time for Sarah to bear children (2 Kings 4:16; Luke 1:18; Romans 4:19; Hebrews 11:11-19). Sarah is standing within earshot of the conversation, and she laughs at what she hears. Does she know about the promise of Genesis 17:16-19 (Romans 9:9; 1 Peter 3:6), or did she doubt that it could happen? Does she think that what was said was funny? I am inclined to believe that it was more of a laugh of disbelief, one of doubt as if she was saying to herself, yeah, right.
Then the Lord asks Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh?” (Genesis 18:13) Then, look at verse fourteen. The Lord says,
“Is there anything too hard for the Lord?” - Genesis 18:14
Well, the most evident answer that anyone could say is no; nothing is too hard for the Lord (Numbers 11:23; Zechariah 8:6; Matthew 3:9, 19:26). I would hazard a guess that many of us today seem to forget the power of God and what He can do if it is His will. Jeremiah had declared that God is the Creator of all. Jeremiah 32:17 says, "O Sovereign Lord! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you!" Jeremiah 32:27 reads, " “I am the Lord, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?" By his faith, Abraham was justified. Luke 1:37 declares, "For the word of God will never fail.” And the Apostle Paul penned, "He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises." (Romans 4:21)
Although Abraham’s life was spotted by sins, faults, and failures, along with goodness and wisdom, he continually put his trust in God. He did not doubt God’s promises. Abraham had faced many obstacles, and yet his faith was strengthened. We can see that Abraham’s life was a model of faith that was put into action. When we only look at ourselves and our own resources, that is how we fail. Abraham looked to God with obedience and waited for God to move. He knew and believed that God would work His Word through him. Can we say the same about God in our lives?
Understanding God’s Timing
But why does it take so long?
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." - Isaiah 55:8-9
The Israelites were ill-advised to think that they knew what God would plan or think. Mankind’s intellect is nowhere near the level of knowledge and wisdom that the Lord has. Who are we to think that we can fit God into our pattern and to try and shape His purposes and plans into ours? We are to be doing our utmost to adjust ourselves to His design.
Nothing is too hard for the Lord, yet we continually doubt. Is our lack of faith in what God can do cause us to doubt?
"Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened." - Matthew 7:7-8,
The Lord has told us to continually pray to God the Father with whatever problem or concern we may have. Unfortunately, we often give up after a few attempts if the prayer is not answered within an adequate amount of time. His thoughts and ways are not ours, and God’s timing is not the same as ours. But His love and mercy are always there, and He does care for us.
We need to learn that knowing God takes faith and that we should focus on God and not the problem.
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Jupiterimages
