Genesis 18

Genesis 18:27-33

We have an account in this chapter of another interviews between God and Abraham, probably within a few days after the former, in a reward of his cheerful obedience to the laws of circumcision. Here is (1.) The kind wife which God made him, and the kind entertainment he gave to that wife, ver. 1-8. (2.) The matters discussed of between them. 1. The purposes of God’s true concerning Sarah, ver. 9-15. 2. The purposes of God’s words concerning Sodom. 1. The discovery God made to Abraham of his design to destroy Sodom, ver. 16-22. 2. The interception Abraham made for Sodom, ver. 23-33.

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. 2. And he left 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. 3. And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant. 4. Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and walk your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. 5. And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that you shall pass on: for therefore I are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do as thou hast said. 6. And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, I Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth. 7. And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetch a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hastened to dress it. 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.

2. 1-8. We have here Abraham’s hospitality to three unknown strangers, though afterwards found to be celestial visitants in human forms.

3. His Babes, Chord (1)

4. His affectionate invitation of them. He sat in the ten-door, to welcome in the weary traveller; and when no man were yet in use, such pleasure of love became the father of the faithful. Note, A Christian’s heart is generous and hospitable. No sooner does the opportunity offer, than with profound respect, and urgent intercity, he brings these guests into his tent. Note, (1.) Religion never teaches rudeness, but civility. (2.) A good man thinks it a favour done him, that he hath it in his power to relieve the delirium.

5. The hearty welcome given them. Luxury of diet yet unknown, (and how much better still unknown!) and pride of equipage, make no part of Abraham’s entertainment. Himself and Sarah not too great to serve, and one plain dish, beneath a tree, compleats the banquet. Happy simplicity! where friendship unflagged made hypocritical compliments oblivit, and plain abundance supplied those wants of hunger, which pampered appetite never knew. Note, 1. True faith produces fervent charity. No fruits like those which grow on this tree. 2. True nobility and greatness is ever most condescending.

6. And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent. 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. 11. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, and well stricken in age: and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. 12. Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, ‘After I am waxed old, shall I have pleasure,’ my lord being old also? 13. And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I of a furety bear a child, which am old? 14. ‘Is any thing too hard for the LORD? ‘At the time appointed will I return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son. 15. Then Sarah denied, saying, ‘I laughed not: for she was afraid. And he said, ‘Nay, but thou didst laugh.’

7. 9—19. Now Abraham begins to find he hath left nothing by his guests. He invited but men; he finds among them his Lord. Note, They who do good to the leaf of Christ’s little ones, doth it unto him. Observe.

8. Their enquiries after Sarah. The women, according to the eastern custom, sat not down with them to meat. But they chewed by their enquiring, that they were no strangers to his family. Civil enquiries are kind.

9. Abraham’s answer. She is where she should be, in the tent. The duty of a wife is to be a keeper at home; and when we are in the way of duty, we may expect to find a blessing.

10. The promise made to Sarah. Now the Lord begins to appear. He speaks more than man, that can say, ‘I will, Thou hast. Blessed be his name; not only all his promises, but his commands run thus: he makes us what he wills us to be.’

11. Sarah’s unbelief. Though out of sight, not out of hearing: she laughed at an event to improbable. Note, 1. Reason is a bad guide in matters of faith. 2. The same appearance may arise from different causes: a smile may be found, a contemptuous unbelief, or satisfied confidence. 3. If Sarah called her husband Lord, let her daughters remember and imitate her respect.

12. The rebuke given her. Why did Sarah laugh? Is any thing too hard for God? Note, 1. Suspicions of God’s power or grace, or both, are very displeasing to him. 2. Rebuke is the kindest instance of friendship, and best return for favours received. Let the righteous smile me friendly. 3. Unwillingness to give, and backwardness to receive reproof, is a sure sign of a perverse or cold heart.

13. Sarah’s denial. To conceal one fault, she makes two. One for seldom goes alone. Nothing leads us into a lye sooner than fear. Fools that we are, not to place that fear on the proper object. Can man’s rebuke be equal to those God hath appointed for lying lips? Oh that we feared him more, and men less. Yet this rebuke wrought good effects; though unbelief prevailed before, such triumphs now: he that knew her heart, could give the son. Note, When we might expect chastisement for our sin, God oftentimes humbles us with mansion.

14. And the men rose up from thence, and looked towards Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way. 17. And the LORD said, ‘Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; 18. Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth I shall be blessed in him? 19. For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do

justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. 20. And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; 21. ‘I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know. 22. And the men turned their faces from thence, and went towards Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.

9. 16—22. The visit over, the strangers depart. But Abraham had talked so much of the sweets of their company, he will not leave them thus, but brings them on their way. Note, We are both to part with those, with whom we have enjoyed much of the presence of the Lord. And now Abraham’s kindness is still more abundantly repaid: while two of his guests are sent before, the third stays. His Lord not only gives him his company, but reveals to him his secret. Observe.

10. God’s renown for informing Abraham of his design. (1.) He will not hide his counsel from him; for he is a friend, for whom he had done much, and would do more. Note, 1. It is a reason with God to give more, where he hath given much. 2. God discovers more of his secret counsels to his servants, than other men. An enlightened mind, thoroughly varied as God’s word, attains a knowledge next to prophecy. (2.) He will instruct his children and household. Whatever knowledge he hath will be made useful to others as well as himself. Ye matters of families, behold in Abraham’s practice your example and duty. 3. To make it your care and business to instruct your children and servants in the way of the Lord. Remember, the lowest under your roof hath an immortal soul, and it is entrusted to your care. 4. Be yourself the example of what you teach. 5. Be constant with them at a throne of grace, both to shew them the way thither, and to obtain a blessing on your labours among them.

11. His discovery of the design of his visit to Sodom. Their sins, that called for vengeance; and he is come to enquire into it: not that he wanted to be informed, but that he may appear both patient and just in all his judgments. Learn, 1. Crying sins are heard in heaven, however unnoticed on earth. And Note, Those sins were pride, luxury, and ultimate. What need not hearken, whether some such cry goes up from him. 2. Sinners say, God shall not see; but they are unfully mistaken. 3. God never punishes by report; many are belied, whom God will acquit; but where he condemns, his judgment is ever according to truth.

12. And Abraham drew near, and said, ‘Will thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? 24. ‘Per- and venture there be fifty righteous within the city: with thou also destroy, and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? 25. That he far from thee to do after this manner, to say the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that he far from thee: ‘Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? 26. And the LORD said, ‘If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their lakes.

13. 23—26. Abraham no sooner hears the secret, than strain his heart begins to plead, if yet there may be hope. We have here.

14. Abraham’s prayer. And a most ardent, humble, believing, loving prayer it is. 1. His approach: filled with the sense of the greatness and goodness of his dear Lord, he dares approach with reverence and hope, drawn by that fervent charity, which would snatch the brand from the burning. 2. His request for Sodom. See how he pleads, (1.) For the righteous. Some he charitably hoped might be found. Let, no doubt, and perhaps he had converts. Confident they should be spared, he pleads God’s glorious perfections; his mercy and righteousness embodies his address. Note, 1. It is a strong support in prayer to plead God’s perfections, as a ground to speak before him. 2. We must be confident, the Judge of all will do right; nor shall any man have cause to find fault with his determination. 3. The righteous shall not be destroyed with the wicked. Though they be involved with them, they shall not be like them. They shall escape out of their trial, or their suffering shall be sanctified unto them. (2.) For the wicked. Though we hate sin, we must pray and pray for the future. The word must not be forgotten: whilst there is life, there is hope. Note, 1. To be spared to repent is a great mercy. 2. If any reprieve be hoped for, it is for the righteous false.

15. God’s answer. Free and gracious. Thus doth prayer prevail. How ready be to hear, how willing to pardon: if fifty be found righteous, Sodom is spared. How should it encourage our applications to him?

16. And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD, which am but doth and after. 28. Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: will thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it. 29. And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for far less fake. 30. And he said unto him, Oh let not the LORD be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there. 31. And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenties fake. 32. And he said, ‘Oh let not the LORD be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for tens fake. 33. And the LORD went his way, affixed as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.

Whilst other givers expect we should be satisfied, when God gives, he expects and is pleased that we ask for more, Behold,

1. Abraham’s renewal of his requests. 1. His preface: deeply humbled, he confesses himself doth and after, yea, and sinful doth and after too, unworthy to speak before God. Let us remember this ever, when we appear before God. The best of men are no better.

2. His prayers and answers. He said would speed, and therefore less often the number. God grants it. Once more he dares to speak. Importantly he asks for pardon in this boldness. Oh what a God have we, never weary of granting, never tired with importunity, and, glorious as he is, is not angry to be thus besieged with ceaseless cries. Again he speeds. Again he cannot be silent; again is answered graciously. Yet once, and but once more, will he presume to speak: reduced to ten his last request. And sure, if five cities produce not ten righteous men, ruin must be near. Even hereunto God confesses to content. Note, (1.) How good is it to pray and never faint. (2.) There are sins unto death, for which prayer cannot avail. (3.) When we have been disappointed of success, we shall not lose the blessing; if the mercy be not vouchsafed to others, it will return upon ourselves.

3. Their parting. God leaves him, but not till he hath done asking; and Abraham returned to wait the issue, sure, however, not to be disappointed concerning God’s promise, and looking if yet there may be hope. Note. We cannot expect too little from man, nor too much from God.