Daily Devotions
Genesis
"The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit." Psalm 34:18
Text: Genesis 18:1-33
HOW WOULD YOU SERVE THE LORD IF HE WERE TO VISIT YOU?
Let us ponder the following text that described the way in which Abraham ministered to the three strangers.
“So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said,
‘Quickly, make ready three measures of fine meal;
knead it and make cakes.’ And Abraham ran to the herd,
took a tender and good calf, gave it to a young man,
and he hastened to prepare it. So he took butter and milk
and the calf which he had prepared, and set it before them;
and he stood by them under the tree as they ate.”GENESIS 18:6-8
1. Personal Involvement
Abraham insisted that Sarah personally attended to the matter of making freshly baked cakes to set before the three visitors! He personally selected a “tender and good calf” to be slaughtered and the meat to be specially prepared and served to his guests. He stood by as if he were an attentive waiter, looking after the needs of his guest! Outstanding service indeed, considering the fact that Abraham had many servants to do his bidding!
2. Giving of the Very Best
What a welcome meal presented to the heavenly visitors! Freshly baked cakes! Butter, milk and the tender meat of a young calf! These things represented the very best that Abraham had to offer!
A BLESSING SPOKEN OUT LOUD
The Lord was obviously pleased with Abraham and the way he treated them. He left a special word of blessing as an indication of His approval.
“Then they said to him, ‘Where is Sarah your wife?’
So he said, ‘Here, in the tent.’
And He said, ‘I will certainly return to you according
to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son.’
(Sarah was listening in the tent door which was behind him).”GENESIS 18:9-10
All this while, the Lord had spoken only to Abraham directly. Sarah was not mentioned as being present at any time. On this occasion, the Lord spoke to Abraham once again, concerning the promise of Sarah bearing a son! Sarah may have thought that no one could see her as she eavesdropped on the conversation of the men as they talked to each other (Ancient protocol demanded that the women remain hidden in the background for the sake of propriety). These words were not new to Abraham, but this would represent the first time Sarah personally heard such a promise!