This week’s “Wednesday Word” is a summary of Dr. Wellum’s exposition of Genesis 18 from Sunday April 20, 2008.

This week, we turn our attention to Genesis 18 and examine two events in the unfolding story of Abraham’s life. Abraham receives three extraordinary visitors who come for two purposes. As we look at those two purposes for coming, we learn two important truths for our own lives.

First, we learn that the Lord keeps His promises. Genesis 18:1-2 says, “The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre, while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby.” The text says that Abraham ‘saw three men’ immediately after saying ‘the Lord appeared to Abraham’. This combination raises an important question about these visitors, namely, who are they? We don’t have to read far to discover the answer. Genesis 19:1 reveals that two of the men are angels. Genesis 18:22 says that the two men ‘went toward Sodom’ while Abraham remains ‘before the Lord’. The third could be understood as a theophany, or perhaps a christophany, but the one thing we know for sure is that He is somehow ‘the Lord’.

The first purpose of this unique visit is a birth announcement. The Lord tells Abraham that Sarah will have a son in one year (v. 10). Sarah, overhearing the announcement, does what we might expect a woman of her age to do, she laughs (v.12). However, the Lord calls her on the carpet for her laughter, and she lies about it. Then He corrects her (v. 13-15). It has been many years since God promised Abraham that he would make him the father of a great nation. We have already witnessed Abraham and Sarah’s attempts to take matters into their own hands (Gen. 16). Now, when the promise seems past the point of hope, they receive this announcement.

It is easy to look down on Sarah’s lack of faith in this moment, but we must consider our own lack of faith in trusting God’s promises and learn from this story instead of judging its characters. There are many promises in the Bible for believers, but Romans 8:28 stands out, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” When we face trials, this promise seems like it will be a long time in coming. Some of our brothers in the world face the ultimate trial of their faith and pass out of this world with the hope of this promise seemingly unfulfilled. However, we must remember the Lord’s word to Sarah and Abraham. “Is anything too hard for the Lord,” he asks, “I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son” (v. 14). We know from further reading that this word was true and sure. Likewise, all the promises of God are true and sure. Even if they seem a long time in coming, we can know for certain that they will come.

The second purpose that the men came to accomplish was the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah. In the midst of that judgment, we see the faithful intercession of Abraham based on the character of God. We learn by his example. The Lord reveals to Abraham that he is going to judge Sodom and Gomorrah (v.16-21). As a side note, this unique role of Abraham as one to whom God revealed his plans and purposes is captured in the language of 1 Chronicles 20:7 where Abraham is called God’s friend. This helps us think about New Testament language that says we are God’s friends. If we think of this in terms of our ideas of what it means to be a friend, we will be amiss. God is not our ‘buddy’. He makes us His friends by revealing His purposes to us in Christ and in the Scripture.

Surely, Abraham must have been thinking of Lot when he begins petitioning God about what He has just revealed. The sustained petition teaches us something important about coming before God. We must petition Him based on His character. Abraham appeals both to the mercy and justice of God. On the one hand he wants God to mercifully spare the city. On the other hand he grounds his request in God’s justice toward the righteous (whether there are as many as 50 or as few as 10). “Far be it from you to do such a thing – to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right,” he prays (v.25). God expects us to petition Him. When we intercede, we should remember the character of God and pray accordingly.

Two things stand out in this passage. First, God keeps His promises. Second, we should intercede on the basis of God’s character. How do we learn about His promises and His character though? Again, we are reminded of the importance of being faithful Bible readers. Only when we turn to the pages of Scripture will we find the promises to hope in and learn the character of our God to whom we cry out.

“Take up and read, take up and read.” – Augustine

Audio from this week’s lesson: Genesis 18.

~TWM