*Genesis 18:1-15
Three visitors appear to Abraham at the oak of Mamre, and he prepares a meal for them while learning Sarah will bear a son.
- Abraham’s Hospitality:
- Abraham is sitting at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day when he sees three men standing nearby.
- Recognizing their significance, Abraham rushes to greet them, offering hospitality by bowing low and inviting them to rest and refresh themselves.
- The Promise of a Son:
- As the visitors partake of Abraham’s hospitality, they inquire about Sarah, Abraham’s wife, and promise that she will have a son.
- Sarah, who is listening from inside the tent, laughs incredulously at the thought of bearing a child in her old age.
- God’s Omniscience:
- One of the visitors, who is revealed to be the Lord, questions Abraham’s laughter and asks, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?”
- This interaction demonstrates God’s omniscience and reaffirms his promise to Abraham and Sarah.
- Sarah’s Doubt:
- Sarah, overhearing the conversation, denies laughing out of fear.
- The Lord responds by reaffirming Sarah’s laughter and reiterates that she will indeed bear a son, emphasizing the power of God’s promise.
- Faith and Fulfillment:
- Despite their initial doubts, Abraham and Sarah are called to exercise faith in God’s promise.
- This passage highlights the importance of trusting in God’s timing and power, even when circumstances seem impossible.
- Conclusion:
- Genesis 18:1-15 underscores the themes of hospitality, faith, and divine intervention in the fulfillment of promises.
- Abraham and Sarah’s encounter with the mysterious visitors serves as a pivotal moment in their journey of faith and the fulfillment of God’s covenant with them.
18:1 And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; 18:2 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, 18:3 And said, My LORD, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant: 18:4 Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree: 18:5 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.
18:6 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.
18:7 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.
18:8 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.
18:9 And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent.
18:10 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.
18:11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.
18:12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? 18:13 And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old? 18:14 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.
18:15 Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.