God’s Communion with His Covenant People

Bible Passage: Genesis 18:1-15

I. Verse 1a: The LORD appeared to Abraham (cf. 12:7; 17:1)—theophany

1. This is the only place where theophany happens with “three” persons
2. Abraham thought that the three visitors were just human visitors—he understood the identity of the visitors gradually
3. The expression “behold” points to something spectacular—the narrator calls for our attention on the visitors (verse 2 “behold, three men standing near him”)
4. Unaware of the identity of the visitors, Abraham “ran from the doorway of the tent to meet them. And he bowed down to the ground” (verse 2)

a. This gesture points to Abraham’s demeanor towards strangers

i. Verse 3: Abraham said to them, “My lord, if I have found favor in your eyes do not pass by your servant”
ii. Verse 4 “Let a little water be brought and wash your feet, and rest under the tree”
iii. Verse 5 “And let me bring a piece of bread, then refresh yourselves. Afterward you can pass on, once you have passed by with your servant”

b. The expression “my lord” points to the respect with which he addressed strangers who showed up at his tent
c. The expression points to Abraham’s simple respectful address

5. Abraham gave an amazing hospitality to the strangers (Abraham appears to demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit, a pre-Christian trait)

a. Invites them over to their home
b. Washes their feet
c. Provides a shaded shelter
d. Offers sumptuous food

i. Verse 6: So Abraham hurried into the tent and said to Sarah, “Quick! Take three measures of fine flour, knead it, and make bread”
ii. Verse 7: Then Abraham ran to the herd and chose a fine, tender calf, and gave it to a servant, who quickly prepared it
iii. Verse 8: Abraham then took some curds and milk, along with the calf that had been prepared, and placed the food before them

6. The writer of the book of Hebrews in the NT uses this incident to practice Christian hospitality (cf. Heb 13:2 “Do not neglect hospitality, because through it some have entertained angels without knowing it”)
7. Besides an emphasis on hospitality, this passage also points to the LORD’s intimate relationship with Abraham through the covenant

a. In Ancient Near East, meal pointed to ratification of covenant (cf. Gen 31:43-54; Exod 24:9-11; Deut 27:1-8)
b. Around the meal, the LORD communed with Abraham and Sarah
c. God condescended and communed with human being on the basis of His covenant
d. It foreshadows the Lord’s Table in the NT where Christ communes with believers on the basis of His covenant with us through His blood

8. Most likely, Abraham eventually understood the identity of the visitors— “They ate while he was standing near them under a tree” Gen 18:8

a. The Visitor is the LORD Himself
b. One LORD; Three Persons
c. A good number of interpreters think that the LORD and two angels—check the alternating of singular and plural
d. This passage is better understood from the New Testament

9. After the food fellowship, One of Them says to Abraham “I will certainly [emphatic construction] return to you at this time of the year, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son” (18:10)

a. The certainty of the statement indicates the Speaker is the LORD

i. Sarah’s womb is dead due to her age
ii. Abraham did not have the ability to physically relate with her to transfer seed
iii. It needs to be a miracle
iv. Creation ex nihilo

b. This is the covenant relationship: Abraham was generous to the Visitors, and the Visitor(s) are generous towards Abraham and Sarah
c. In Gen 21:1 we read

i. “The Lord visited Sarah just as he had said he would and did for Sarah what he had promised”
ii. “So, Sarah became pregnant and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the appointed time that God had told him”
iii. “Abraham named his son—whom Sarah bore to him—Isaac”

d. “Sarah laughed to herself, thinking, “After I am worn out will I have pleasure, especially when my husband is old too?” verse 13

10. Is any matter too wonderful for Jehovah? (verse 14 a; cf. Luke 1:37)—rhetorical question where the answer should be “No, nothing is impossible with God”

a. Impossibility of Sarah’s conception (verses 11-12)

i. Abraham and Sarah were old and advancing in years
ii. Sarah had long since passed menopause
iii. “After I am worn out will I have pleasure, especially when my husband is old too?” (euphemism)

b. Normal biological conception was not possible
c. The LORD has limitless resources and power that He shares with those who have covenant relationship with Him

II. Principles

1. God’s children must take God at His Word and must not look at only their possibility
2. God’s children must nurture hospitality, for it is the primary fruit of the Holy Spirit
3. God’s children must treat people respectfully as modelled in Gen 18
4. God’s children having continued communion with God is part of God’s covenant blessing
5. Nation Israel was born as God’s promise to Abraham

Takeaway:

Seek to intentionally honor God in His perpetual communion with you through Jesus