1 And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;
2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw [them], he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,
3 And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:
4 Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:
5 And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.
6 And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead [it], and make cakes upon the hearth.
7 And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave [it] unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it.
8 And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set [it] before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.
9 And they said unto him, Where [is] Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent.
10 And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard [it] in the tent door, which [was] behind him.
11 Now Abraham and Sarah [were] old [and] well stricken in age; [and] it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.
12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?
13 And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?
14 Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.
15 Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.
16 And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.
17 And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;
18 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?
19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.
20 And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;
21 I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.
22 And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.
23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that [are] therein?
25 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?
26 And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.
27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which [am but] dust and ashes:
28 Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for [lack of] five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy [it].
29 And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do [it] for forty’s sake.
30 And he said [unto him], Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do [it], if I find thirty there.
31 And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy [it] for twenty’s sake.
32 And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy [it] for ten’s sake.
33 And the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.
Overview of Genesis Chapter 18
Genesis Chapter 18 is a pivotal chapter that highlights themes of hospitality, divine promise, and intercession. The chapter presents a narrative that includes the visitation of three heavenly beings, the announcement of the birth of Isaac, and Abraham’s intercession for the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Key Themes
- Hospitality: Abraham’s welcoming of the visitors showcases the importance of hospitality in ancient cultures.
- Divine Promise: The chapter reaffirms God’s promise to Abraham regarding his descendants.
- Intercession: Abraham’s negotiation with God for the righteous in Sodom highlights the power of prayer and intercession.
Summary of Events
- Divine Visitations (Verses 1-5):
Abraham encounters three men as he sits at the entrance of his tent. He demonstrates great hospitality by offering them water, food, and rest.
- Announcement of Isaac’s Birth (Verses 6-15):
After Abraham’s hospitality, the visitors reveal that Sarah will bear a son, Isaac, despite her old age. Sarah laughs at the announcement, leading to a discussion about God’s power and timing.
- Intercession for Sodom (Verses 16-33):
As the visitors prepare to leave for Sodom, God reveals His intention to investigate the outcry against the city. Abraham intercedes, negotiating with God to spare the city if righteous people can be found.
Character Analysis
- Abraham:
Abraham is portrayed as a model of hospitality and faith. His willingness to negotiate with God demonstrates his deep relationship with the divine and his concern for others.
- Sarah:
Sarah’s initial disbelief at the promise of a son reflects human skepticism in the face of divine promises. Her laughter symbolizes the struggle between faith and doubt.
- The Visitors (Angels):
The visitors represent God’s messengers, embodying divine authority and the fulfillment of God’s promises. Their role emphasizes the connection between divine will and human affairs.
Theological Implications
- God’s Sovereignty:
The chapter illustrates God’s control over human history and His ability to fulfill promises against all odds.
- The Nature of God:
God is depicted as relational, willing to engage with Abraham and listen to his concerns. This interaction emphasizes the personal nature of God.
- Justice and Mercy:
The intercession for Sodom raises questions about justice and mercy, showcasing God’s willingness to spare the wicked for the sake of the righteous.
Conclusion
Genesis Chapter 18 serves as a profound narrative that intertwines themes of hospitality, divine promise, and intercession. It highlights the importance of faith and the relationship between humanity and the divine, while also addressing the complexities of justice and mercy in God’s dealings with humanity.
