Genesis 18

Genesis 18

18:1 This verse is a means of introduction to the coming chapter.

18:2 Abraham shows his steadfast hospitality. It must be just the way he was since there really isn't a way for him to know that this was the Lord that appeared before him. If he did somehow know, it had to be because of the sudden appearing, or maybe visitors weren't common. On the other hand, by not knowing it would lend us a picture into Abraham's attitude of every day events outside of the major events we have become familiar with.

18:5 Even still, this seems like Abraham was overly helpful. How would you feel if someone treated you this way? Would you simply say "do as you say?" I'd probably have a hard time accepting such service from anyone much less an elderly man.

18:8 Amazingly, Abraham was that courteous and didn't even have the bread and water ready when he offered it to them. While these things were being prepared, I wonder what the men did. Abraham said they could rest, so that was probably it. I think bread takes quite a while to make when it is done from scratch.

18:10 God had previously promised Abraham a son by Sarah, but he didn't know when it would happen. This event would have happened very soon after the last time the Lord appeared to him, so it had to be fresh in his mind. Obviously he didn't tell Sarah about it though since she doesn't seem to believe it. This must have been the correlation between the previous times the Lord appeared to Abraham and the men standing before him now. I wondered at what point Abraham knew that it was the Lord standing there, whether it was right away or at some point during the conversation. I'm thinking this was it.

18:12 I think it's kind of funny that Sarah refers to herself as "worn out." By human reasoning though, this is a very appropriate response. But in God's reasoning, there is no such limitation (verse 14).

18:15 Now, it really doesn't matter if they heard Sarah laugh or not. Actually, it says she laughed to herself, so it would be amazingly hard for anyone to hear it. Only God could have heard it, and he did. Even if she didn't laugh at all, God would have seen her unbelieving heart, just as he sees it in us when we waver. Be steadfast in your faith! Nothing is impossible with God, really.

18:19 What would be the harm and what would be the benefit for God to show him the plan he had for Sodom and Gomorrah? Why does Abraham's lineage matter to the present circumstance? Perhaps the Lord wasn't talking about the present circumstance but some far reaching one? Regardless, we do see further the character of Abraham and how he can live in such a climate as living among the Canaanites.

18:21 It is interesting the way this is said. Surely God knew everything that was happening, but He put it the way He did for Abraham's benefit.

18:23 Here we see that Abraham knew full well that the sin of the cities was great and that God would be just in the judgment that was coming. The phrases in verse 21 made aware to Abraham that they were going to Sodom, and Abraham knew what they would encounter so it exhibits this response, which shows once again Abraham's character.

18:25 Abraham makes the statement that is true. The Judge of the earth WILL do right. He always does right. Sometimes though, it is not in the way we think right should be. Plus, Abraham probably knew that Lot was living there. I wonder if that influenced this dialogue?

18:26 God agrees, but I imagine He already knew what His plan was to be. Agreeing to this fits with the plan so there is no problem.

18:27 Before God, it can feel like we are nothing but dust and ashes. But remember, we are a special creation of His; He loves us very dearly, and He has given us His image. Though these bodies are merely dust and ashes, our spirits rejoice in the Lord our God.

18:32 This continues to the point where God chooses to end it. He surely knew how many righteous people were living in the city. Zero! Remember, "there are none righteous, no not one" (Romans 3:10). But there are men who would choose to be saved, and that is the righteousness acceptable to God. Choosing faith is the greatest choice we will ever make.