Abraham & Three Visitors - Genesis 18:1-33

An expositional study taught by Harry Morgan

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1Then the LORD appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre, as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day. 2So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground, 3and said, “My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant. 4Please let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. 5And I will bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh your hearts. After that you may pass by, inasmuch as you have come to your servant.” They said, “Do as you have said.” 6So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quickly, make ready three measures of fine meal; knead it and make cakes.”

7And Abraham ran to the herd, took a tender and good calf, gave it to a young man, and he hastened to prepare it. 8So he took butter and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree as they ate. 9Then they said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” So he said, “Here, in the tent.” 10And He said, “I will certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son.” (Sarah was listening in the tent door which was behind him.) 11Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in age; and Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. 12Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, “After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?”

13And the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I surely bear a child, since I am old?’ 14Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.” 15But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. And He said, “No, but you did laugh!”

3 Scenes in Genesis 18 1-15 16-21 22-33 1as he (Abraham) was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day. 2 So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; 16and the men rose up from there, and looked toward Sodom, and Abraham went with them to send them on the way. 22Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the LORD. Copied with permission. H. Van Dyke Parunak, www.cyber-chapel.org

1. When did the Lord appear to Abraham at the Oaks of Mamre? What occurred in chapter 17 and will occur in chapter 19? 1Then the LORD appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre, as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day. Genesis 17 – the promise of Isaac Genesis 19 – the destruction of Sodom & Gomorrah

2. Where are the Oaks of Mamre? 1Then the LORD appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre… Mamre was an Amorite chieftain with whom Abraham had an alliance (14:13). Both Mamre and his grove are first mentioned in 13:18, where Abraham camped after Lot chose the best part of the land.

3. What was Abraham doing? Why is this significant? 1Then the LORD appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre, as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day.

4. What did Abraham see? 2So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground, • Abraham was taken by surprise. • Abraham did not see the 3 approach him. • They do not force themselves on him, but stand respectfully, waiting to be recognized.

5. Upon seeing, what did he do? 2band when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground,

6. Why did he bow to the ground? What does this gesture signify? 2and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground, ה ִ שׂ ְ תּ ַֽ ח ֲ י ָ ה (shachah) the usual word for “worship” This is the first time shachah is used in the biblical text.

7. What did Abraham say? 3and said, “My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant. 4 Please let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. 5 And I will bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh your hearts. After that you may pass by, inasmuch as you have come to your servant.” א ֲ ד ֹ נ ָ י (ʾaḏōnāy)with the lengthened final diphthong is used by the Masoretes only to refer to God. (Gen. 15:2 “Sovereign Lord”) ח ֵ ן (ḥēn) favor, grace, acceptance

7a. To Whom did Abraham address “Adonai”? “The Hebrew word for Lord is in the plural: not Adoni, which is singular, but Adonai, which is plural. The reason is not that he is addressing all three, since the next second person pronoun is singular. Rather, Abraham recognized one of the three to be God Himself and used the divine title of Adonai, literally, “My Lords.” The rabbis know what the Hebrew reads, of course, and they have come up with three options to get around the obvious implication that one of these three men happens to be God Himself.” Fruchtenbaum, A. G. (2008). Ariel’s Bible commentary: the book of Genesis (1st ed., p. 310). San Antonio, TX: Ariel Ministries.

7b. To Whom did Abraham address “Adonai”? • The first option is that he was merely addressing the chief of them, and so, consequently, the word does not imply or signify God Himself. • The second option is that he was speaking to God, pressing Him to wait until he had attended to his guests. • The third option is that he recognized that they were angels and, therefore, called them by their Master’s name, LORD. All three options are attempts to get around the obvious. Fruchtenbaum, A. G. (2008). Ariel’s Bible commentary: the book of Genesis (1st ed., p. 310). San Antonio, TX: Ariel Ministries.

8. How did Abraham know who it was? Genesis 12:1 The LORD ( forth from your native land and from your father’s house to the land that I will show you.” Genesis 14:19 He blessed him, saying, “Blessed be Abram of El Elyon ( ﬠ ֶ ל ְ י וֹ ן heaven and earth.” Genesis 15:2 But Abram said, “O Lord GOD ( ʾǎḏō·nāy yhwh), what can You give me, seeing that I shall die childless…” Genesis 17:1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am El Shaddai ( שׁ ַ דּ ַ י א ֵ ל ʾēl šǎd·dǎy).” י ה ו ה yhwh) said to Abram, “Go א ֵ ל ʾēl ʿěl·yôn), Creator of י ה ו ה א ֲ ד ֹ נ ָ י (Scriptures taken from the Tanakh)

9. What did Abraham say? 3and said, “My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant. 4 Please let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. 5 And I will bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh your hearts. After that you may pass by, inasmuch as you have come to your servant.”

10. Who were the three visitors? (Heb. 13:2) Genesis 18:2 So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; Hebrews 13:2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. Most likely, these same 2 angels escort Lot and his family from Sodom as it is destroyed.

11. Why did the Lord appear to Abraham? How many times has the Lord appeared to Abraham? To inform Sarah of her conception and the birth of Isaac 12:1 Now the LORD had said to Abram… 12:7 Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said… 13:14 And the LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him… 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision... 18:1 Then the LORD appeared to him… 21:12 But God said to Abraham… 22:1 Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham... 22:11 But the Angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said…

12. What was the response to Abraham’s request? 5bThey said, “Do as you have said.”

13. What did Abraham tell Sarah? Why? 6So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quickly, make ready three measures of fine meal; knead it and make cakes.” “hurried” vv. 6, 7 “quick” v. 6 “ran” v. 7

13b. What did Abraham tell Sarah? Why? 6So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quickly, make ready three measures of fine meal; knead it and make cakes.” The law of grain offerings is explained in Numbers 15:8-9. • The smallest unit of dry measure is an omer in the Old Testament: 3 omers = 1 seah or 1 measure. • The smallest “meal offering” that could be given was 1 seah, 1/3 of an ephah. It had to be of fine flour. Abraham gave 3 seahs, 3 measures. He went above and beyond what was required for the “meal offering.”

14. Why did Abraham go to all the trouble in preparing a meal for his guests? 7And Abraham ran to the herd, took a tender and good calf, gave it to a young man, and he hastened to prepare it. 8So he took butter and milk and the calf which he had prepared and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree as they ate.

15. What are other illustrations of hospitality in the Old Testament? • Gen. 19:3 – Lot entertained angels • Gen. 24:29-33 – Laban entertained Abraham’s servant • Judges 19 – a Levite entertained his concubine • 1Kgs. 13:11-22 – a Man of God disobeys

16. During Abraham’s conversation with his guests what did they ask him? What was Abraham’s response? 9Then they said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” So he said, “Here, in the tent.” • After the meal • Purpose of the visit revealed

17. What two announcements were made to Abraham in verse 10? 10aAnd He said, “I will certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son.” emphatic Hebrew construction ( שׁ וּ ב א ַ ש וּ ב šôbʾāšûb) My grandson, Ashton Baxter Thomas (3 mos.), & his great grandmother, Jeane Thomas (90 yrs).

18. Where was Sarah when the announcement was made? 10b(Sarah was listening in the tent door which was behind him.) Not only is the tent door between her and the messenger, the latter has his back to the tent. …the important point for the narrative is that the mysterious speaker cannot see her reaction to the news. The promise of a son implies that the speaker is a divine messenger; the fact that he can discern Sarah’s reactions without seeing her proves his status and guarantees his message. Wenham, G. J. (1998). Genesis 16–50 (Vol. 2, p. 48). Dallas: Word, Incorporated.

19. How did Sarah react to the announcement? 10b(Sarah was listening in the tent door which was behind him.) 12Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, “After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?” “Listen” ( šā·mǎʿ) – Ishmael שׁ ָ מ ַ ע “Laugh” ( ṣā·ḥǎq) – Isaac צ ָ ח ַ ק

19b. How did Sarah react to the announcement? 10b(Sarah was listening in the tent door which was behind him.) 12Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, “After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?” “pleasure” ( ʿěḏ·nāh) – joy of motherhood; also, sexual pleasure ﬠ ֶ ד ְ נ ָ ה

20. How is this announcement different or similar to the one made to Abraham previously? (17:16, 21) What is implied by these two announcements? 16And I will bless her and also give you a son by her; then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be from her.” 21But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this set time next year.” This announcement is much shorter and briefer. The promise is for Sarah alone here, and the phrasing ( ו ה נ ה ) makes its fulfillment sound even closer. It could be rendered “Your wife Sarah now has a son.”

21. What was Abraham and Sarah’s physical condition at this time? 11Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in age; and Sarah had passed the age of childbearing.

22. What was Sarah’s reaction to the announcement? Why is her reaction significant? 12Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, “After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?” Proverbs 16:2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirits.

Drew posted yesterday on FaceBook.

22b. What was Sarah’s reaction to the announcement? Why is her reaction significant? 12Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, “After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?” Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two- edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Ø Sarah (Gen. 16:1–2; 18:11–12; 21:6–7) Ø Rebekah (Gen. 25:21) Ø Rachel (Gen. 29:31–30:24) Ø Manoah’s wife (Judg. 13) Ø Hannah (1 Sam. 1) Ø Elizabeth (Luke 1:5–25, 57–66)

23. What two questions were asked of Abraham following Sarah’s reaction? 13And the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I surely bear a child, since I am old?’ 14aIs anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.” Jeremiah 32:27 “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me? Jeremiah 32:17 ‘Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.

24. What is your response to the second question asked of Abraham?

25. In addition to these questions, what promise was made to Abraham? 14bAt the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.”

26. How did Sarah respond when her reaction was revealed? Why? 15But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties;

27. What affect did her denial have on her guests? 15bAnd He said, “No, but you did laugh!”

28. When did the angels part from Abraham? 16Then the men rose from there and looked toward Sodom, and Abraham went with them to send them on the way. ἄγγελος (angelos) = messengers • When Sarah was informed of her miraculous conception, and the birth of the son of the covenant. • When it was clear Sarah understood the message. • When it was time to move on to their next assignment.

29. What was the angels next assignment? 16aThen the men rose from there and looked toward Sodom...

30. Where was the city of Sodom? 16aThen the men rose from there and looked toward Sodom...

31. Why did Abraham go with the angels? 16Then the men rose from there and looked toward Sodom, and Abraham went with them to send them on the way. ἄγγελος (angelos) = messengers Hebrews 1:7 And of the angels He says: “Who makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire.” Psalm 104:4 Who makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flame of fire.

32. What question did the Lord ask of Himself? 17And the LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing…?” John 15:15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.

33. What two prophecies did the Lord make concerning Abraham that affects you? 18since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

34. How will this prophecy be fulfilled? Prophetic Prints – David & Linda Herman

35. What is one of the effects of God’s election of Abraham? 19For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice, that the LORD may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.”

36. What two observations did God make of Sodom and Gomorrah? 20And the LORD said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grave, Antediluvian Civilization Genesis 6:11–12 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. 12So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.

37. If God is omnipresent then what is the meaning of the phrase “I will go down to see…”? 21I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry against it that has come to Me; and if not, I will know.”

Abraham & Three Visitors - Genesis 18:1-33