Genesis 18

Genesis 18:2

When there were no public inns for travellers to refresh themselves, or lodge in, it was necessary and common for hospitable persons to invite them at noon or at even-tide to their own houses; ch. xix. 1, 2, and xxiv. 30, 31. Judg. xix. 20, 21. Job xxxi

Genesis 18:32

Ver. 3. The person to whom Abraham addressed himself, and who was at least the chief speaker, was the Son of God, and Judge of the world; ver. 25. with John v. 22. Ver. 4. As people in those countries went bare-footed, or with sandals, because of the heat, washing the feet after travelling was common and needful; ch. xix. 2. and xxiv. 32. Ver. 8. Abraham stood by them as their servant, to give them what they needed; Neb. xii. 44. Gal. v. 18. Luke xvii. 8. Ver. 10. Nine months hence, by my providence, and in fulfilment of my promise, Sarah shall have a son; ch. xvii. 21. Ver. 11. In respect of her age, and of the constitution of her body, she was past all hopes of child-bearing; ch. xvii. 17. Heb. xi. 11. Rom. iv. 19. F Ver. 20, 21. By God’s inquiring into things, is meant either his bringing the persons concerned to a proper sense of their condition and conduct; Gen. iii. 9, iv. 6, 9, 10. and xvi. 8. I Kings xix. 9. 13. Jon. iv. 4. 9; or it marks the wisdom, patience, and equity of his procedure; ch. xi. 5, 7. Exod. iii. 8. and xxxiii. 5. Mic. i. 3. Ver. 22, 23. Abraham’s standing before, and drawing near to the Lord, imports his bold and familiar intercession with him; I Sam. xiv. 36. Psal. lxxiii. 28. Heb. vii. 19. and x. 22. Jam. iv. 8. Ver. 25. Whenever the righteous are cut off with the wicked in public calamities, it manifests them to have been partakers with them in their sins; Amos iii. 2. Rev. xviii. 4; and yet it is in everlasting mercy to their souls; Is. lvii. 1. Phil. i. 23

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XVIII.—Whilst I highly esteem the kind simplicity and humble modesty of these ancient times, let me chiefly admire the kindness of my Redeemer, in so frequently visiting our world in human shape, before the fulness of time for his being made of a woman! But, alas, that ever his messages of peace should be laughed to scorn!—laughed to scorn by a saint O what infinite mercy and patience, that he did not strike her—that he does not strike us—dead in the very act of unbelief! How great is the honour and kindness which God hath prepared for such as are careful to win souls!—What his procedure to punish the most abandoned transgressors is gradual and slow readily he grants whatever forbearance his favourites can ask on their behalf, but much more what is asked in behalf of his children. What a deep sense their own meanness and pollution, familiar intercourse with God produced the choicest saints! His presence must always fill them with a holy fear, which as their covenant God, they dare to plead before him, assured of a ready ence and a gracious answer