Daily Devotions
Genesis
"Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only does wondrous things." Psalm 72:18
Text: Genesis 18:1-33
ANOTHER GLORIOUS VISIT FROM THE LORD
How wonderful it is to have one visit after another from the Lord! Each time the Lord met up with Abraham, He would give him wonderful words of instruction and exhortation! This time round, God appeared to Abraham in the quietest manner. He did not reveal Himself as the El Elyon or El Shaddai!
“‘Then the Lord appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre,
as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day. So he
lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were
standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door
to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground, and said,
‘My Lord, if I have now found favour in your sight, do not pass on
by Your servant. Please let a little water be brought, and wash
your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. And I will bring
a morsel of bread, that you may refresh your hearts. After that
you may pass by, inasmuch as you have come to your servant.’
They said, ‘Do as you have said.'”GENESIS 18:1-5
1. Eastern Hospitality
We have a glimpse of wonderful ancient Eastern hospitality at its finest! A wealthy man enjoys his siesta in the shade of his tent, “in the heat of the day”. He sees some travelers, and these were strangers. He greets them with genuine cordiality and offers them refreshment!
2. Did Abraham recognize the Lord?
A great interpretive challenge lies right before us! Did Abraham realize that this trip was another precious visit from the Lord? The following two observations would suggest that somehow, he recognized that the Lord Himself had paid him a visit!
a) Humble Prostration
It is one thing to show Eastern hospitality, but quite another thing to prostrate oneself before strangers. Abraham “bowed himself to the ground” before these visitors.
b) Deepest Regard
Abraham bent over backwards to personally serve the three men. He could have called any number of his servants to attend to the strangers. Instead, he personally attended to them personally.
He addressed one of them in the most polite manner, calling him, ‘My Lord”. He spoke of himself as “servant” in the presence of this Person.
Abraham was acquainted with kings. The king of Sodom came out to personally greet him after his great victory over their common enemy. No uncommon attention was paid to this earthly king! However, great attention was given to this Divine Visitor!