Genesis 18
Dear RTB’ers,
I mentioned yesterday that we would see “the angel of the LORD” appearing in our readings as we moved through the Bible. Today we see the LORD Himself coming to Abraham, along with two companions: And the LORD appeared to him… and behold, three men were standing in front of him. (vv. 1a, 2a) In the very next chapter we see the LORD’s companions referred to as The two angels… (Genesis 19:1a). So the LORD, Himself appears and He brings along two angels and then He sends them forth as His emissaries. I often wonder about angelic activities in our lives today. Many Christmas movies have angels appearing in human form (e.g., It’s A Wonderful Life, The Bishop’s Wife, etc.). I’ve long believed in guardian angels, but I don’t know that the Lord has ever sent an angel to me in person. Maybe? I do wonder about one incident. And you? Angels…?
The announcement of Isaac’s birth brings about a strange interchange: Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed…; So Sarah laughed to herself… (Genesis 17:17; 18:12). Both Abraham and Sarah laughed at the thought of Sarah giving birth in her old age, but it seems that only Sarah was chastised: The LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh…” (Gen. 18:13). And then Sarah denied it: …“I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.” (Gen. 18:15b). Abraham’s laughter brought forth his son’s name, Isaac, which means “He laughs”, but Sarah’s laughter brought the LORD’s questioning, her denial, and the LORD’s retort. Why the two different responses? Thoughts?
And then there’s Sodom and Gomorrah. But that’s mostly tomorrow’s story. But I do like Abraham bargaining with the LORD (Gen. 18:23-33). An interesting incident possibly reflecting the impact of our intercessory prayers…?
Blessings!
Abraham asks this question of God rhetorically in his “bargaining” over Sodom and Gomorrah, clearly expecting an affirmative answer. There is quite a lot packed into that question, and it is one that we should all consider carefully. How do we each individually really answer that question? Do we really recognize God as the Judge of all the earth? And do we really expect Him do do what is just? Or do we look at Him somewhat skeptically, like Adam and Eve at the Fall, thinking that maybe the LORD might not be just? As we continue through the Scriptures and see how the LORD interacts with various characters, mark your internal (gut) reactions and reflect on this question again and again. Search your heart and consider well how you might really answer Abraham’s question.