v.1-15
1. R.W.
v.3 do not pass by and leave your servant
v.4 Let a little water...And let me get a bit of food...since you have passed by your servant’s home. After that you may be on your way
6 So Abraham hurried into the tent and said to Sarah, “Quick!... gave it to a servant, who quickly prepared it.
(NET-The reader knows this is a theophany. The three visitors are probably the LORD and two angels (see Gen 19:1). It is not certain how soon Abraham recognized the true identity of the visitors. His actions suggest he suspected this was something out of the ordinary, though it is possible that his lavish treatment of the visitors was done quite unwittingly. Bowing down to the ground would be reserved for obeisance of kings or worship of the LORD. Whether he was aware of it or not, Abraham’s action was most appropriate.)
Something about these 3 men that made Abraham not wanting to passing the opportunity to serve them. No matter what Abraham knew, he was a person who will not let opportunity to serve God to go. How about me?
2. R.W.
9 Then they asked him, “Where is Sarah your wife?”... v.10...“I will surely return to you when the season comes round again, and your wife Sarah will have a son
v.14 Is anything impossible for the LORD? I will return to you when the season comes round again and Sarah will have a son.”
God had already made it clear to Abraham that Sarah would gave birth to a son in 17:19, but now the 3 visitors who visited announced that in front of Sarah. The identity of one of the visitor was specified when the promise was repeated again. Sarah's faith was the focus. She was not just a tool to give birth to a son. She was the reason why the 3 visitors came. Not to make them busy to host visitors but for her faith.
v.16-33
1. A personal relationship between the LORD and Abraham
v.17 Then the LORD said, “Should I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?
v.22 Abraham was still standing before the LORD. 23 Abraham approached and said, “Will you really sweep away the godly along with the wicked?
v.25 25 Far be it from you to do such a thing—to kill the godly with the wicked, treating the godly and the wicked alike! Far be it from you!
Their relationship was mutual. Not only the LORD want Abraham to know what He was going to do, Abraham also dared to approach God and tried to persuade Him to do things according to His nature.
2. Why Abraham was so close to the LORD?
(BKC) Interestingly God had a double motivation for revealing His plan: (1) All nations would be blessed through Abraham; therefore God told him that one city (Sodom) was to be removed before it had a chance to be blessed through him. (2) Abraham was to teach his offspring righteousness and justice (what is right and just, v. 19) so that they might enjoy God’s blessings.
God did not just chose a person to be a tool, but when He gave us authority, He means it. On the other hand, Abraham also took that authority and plead for the people of all nations, including Sodom. He plead according to what he knew about God. How did he know that God would not kill the righteous with the wicked? Maybe from the Noah's ark's encounter.
3. Do I see myself as what God sees me? Do I see myself as a blessings of God (being saved by grace, with the indwelling of the HS, etc)? If yes, how shall act differently in time of crisis?
Do I know God from what He had done, and what He had told me?
4. questions
1) v.1
2) His actions suggest he suspected this was something out of the ordinary, though it is possible that his lavish treatment of the visitors was done quite unwittingly. Bowing down to the ground would be reserved for obeisance of kings or worship of the LORD. Whether he was aware of it or not, Abraham’s action was most appropriate.
3) laugh
4) v.21, Ab pleaded for them
5) God is willing to promise according to intercessory prayer
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