Read the Selected Scriptures from Gen. 18

(This is being posted on Valentine's Day, but was written the middle of January.  In grade school we always took "valentines" for all the opposite sex in our class ... yes, in those days there were only two genders.  These "valentines" had some version of "be my valentine" or something like that. The first paragraph today contains my "valentine" for my wife.  I thank the Lord for you, Cynthia.)

·       18:3-6: This is a major passage on “hospitality” according to Heb. 13:2.  I think it’s interesting: Abraham is in charge of hospitality (as was Lot in 19:2-3).  Sarah was the facilitator.  But Abraham wanted to take care of them, and he also wanted to set the menu to be sure they were properly treated.  I am thankful for a wife who has always kept a clean house and who have been willing to put up with my announcements, “so and so is coming for dinner!”  And she was never one to put something in front of people that was not specially prepared.  Thank you Lord!  Hospitality is important for Christians.  Let us not lose this.  Friendships are built strong around the table.

·       18:12: Concerning Sarah’s laughter, Abraham was open about his “mockery” and didn’t deny it.  And he paid for it.  When he asked God to let Ishmael be the promised son God said “no” but also said He would make him great.  Sarah denied mocking.  But the LORD knew!

·       18:17-19: Several things here.  First, look at the nature of Abraham’s relationship with God. “I (the LORD) have known him (Abraham).”  Second, note the word “bring.”  It is a very common word, used over 2500 times in the OT, to enter or come in; to lead in, bring in.  The first use is Gen. 2:19: God formed every beast and brought them to Adam.  Then in 2:22: God made Eve from Adam’s rib and brought her to him.  In this passage, God had made a covenant with Abraham.  It was made unconditionally, by which we mean that Abraham only had to receive what God was offering by faith.  But God is now talking about “delivering” the covenant.  It required the plan of redemption because Abraham and his descendents will be blessed with righteous lives.  God must bring in the Seed He promised.  And the nations will also have to be people of faith.  This covenant is with one man but is blessing all the families of the earth.  With Abraham, so with us: we enter into the covenant of grace by faith.

·       18:22: This is where we always need to be.  Standing before the LORD. 

·       18:23-25: Abraham’s question is, “Would You destroy the righteous with the wicked?”  The LORD’s answer is a rhetorical question: “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?”  I have mentioned this, that these words from the LORD have comforted me in the loss of loved ones. 

·       18:27-32: It is interesting that Abraham addresses the LORD (before Whom he stands) as Lord (Adonai).  Back in v3 he called Him “my Lord’ when he invited Him into his home.  Likewise, Lot referred to the angels as “my lords” (19:2).