Abraham's faith journey #10

September 9, 2020 (Wednesday)

     Genesis 18 begins, “The Lord appeared to Abraham at the oaks of Mamre while he sat at the entrance of his tent in the day’s heat.” [Genesis 18:1 CEB] This visit will demonstrate two more steps in Abraham’s journey of faith.

     First lesson: Abraham did not let an opportunity pass to be in the presence of God. “He looked up and suddenly saw three men standing near him. As soon as he saw them, he ran from his tent entrance to greet them and bowed deeply.” [Genesis 18:2 CEB] The next three verses describe Abraham’s frantic attempt to convince the LORD to accept his hospitality. I wonder if we even attempt to be with the LORD.

     The next three verses describe the frantic rush to provide hospitality. His attempt was to do more than he promised. Bread made from the finest flour, freshly prepared meat, and milk and butter. His promise was for water and bread. I wonder if we tend to promise God scraps when we should be providing the best we have and can do. Abraham is willing to put in the effort to do his best.

     God reminds Abraham that his wife Sarah will have a baby. Sarah was listening. She responds to the news, “So Sarah laughed to herself, thinking, I’m no longer able to have children and my husband’s old.” [Genesis 18:12 CEB] Sarah knew she was beyond the age to bear children. Literally the text says they were “well stricken in age” (see Genesis 18:11 ASV). Literally she had stopped menstruating.

     Of course, she gets caught eavesdropping. When challenged, “Sarah lied and said, “I didn’t laugh,” because she was frightened. But he said, “No, you laughed.” [Genesis 18:15 CEB] Remember Abraham laughed when he first heard as well. It’s appropriate the son’s name is Isaac (meaning laughter). At first, they laughed in surprise because this was not plausible by human standards. Then I think they laughed in joy, when God provided a son.

     In Genesis 18:17 – 19 God has an internal conversation with Himself. The gist of the conversation is the need to tell Abraham what He is about to do. The reasoning goes: Abraham’s descendants will become populous and will be a blessing to the earth’s nations. This relationship is special. If they are to be right and just, they must be instructed properly. School is in session.

     God informs Abraham what He is about to do, “Then the Lord said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know.” [Genesis 18:20 – 21 ESV] The word translated “outcry” could also be considered a “shriek.” Like a victim who has been attacked.

     Verse 21 carries the idea that God is personally investigating the possibility of the need to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. This judgement is not done by a God from afar. His investigation is personal because He does not hand out destruction without reason or fair investigation.

     Second lesson: Abraham argues for mercy. Abraham bargains God down to ten people. If ten righteous people can be found, God will not destroy the cities. Ten are not found and , the rest of the story is a tragedy. But I wonder how many people who think they are “true” believers spend any time pleading for mercy on others. No seriously, wouldn’t we rather burn people at the stake, chop of their heads, or send them to gas chambers? Don’t believe me? Read the Facebook posts …

     “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” [2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV]