[And He Walks With Me] Genesis 18
1-5 During the heat of the day, travelers would typically seek shade and rest for themselves and their animals. Therefore, when he looked up and saw three men standing near him, he immediately recognized them as people seeking shelter for a few hours. This would be an opportunity for Abraham to share hospitality (see note on vss 6-8). Therefore, he ran from the entrance of the tent and welcomed them.
6-8 three measures (literally, seahs) equated to approximately 36 pounds of flour. This would have made approximately 60 loaves of bread. Moreover, fine flour indicates that this was wheat flour rather than the more common, less expensive barley flour. Then, Abraham ran to the herd and got a tender, choice calf, and a young man… hurried to prepare it. To do all of this for three guests seems excessive. Indeed, it was an excessive expense to use the higher quality flour and a tender, choice calf, an excessive quantity to prepare so much food for only three guests, and an excessive effort to make it all from scratch during the heat of the day (vs 1). However, three things play into this. First, Abraham’s household was large. It is likely he would invite his most trusted servants and perhaps a few neighbors to meet his guests. Second, Abraham may have recognized these as supernatural guests. Finally, generosity was the cornerstone of ancient hospitality, which was a key value in Semitic cultures. To make a guest feel welcome, the host would spare no expense or effort, and a failure to do so would result in profound shame upon the family and their community. Hosts were expected to provide everything their guests needed – shade, food, and water – no matter the expense. They were also expected to provide shelter and protection from the natural elements and the people who preyed upon travelers.
9-12 Where is your wife Sarah? Some scholars have inferred from this question that Sarah’s absence at this moment was unexpected. In fact, there is no indication that men and women ate separately at this time. These scholars, however, speculate that her unexpected absence was caused by the sudden onset of her menstrual cycle. Though it was not uncommon for a woman to be confined to her tent during her period, it is noted that Sarah had passed the age of childbearing (11), suggesting she had gone through menopause and no longer menstruated. If this was the case, Sarah was likely quite confused and concerned until she heard the Lord’s explanation: your wife Sarah will have a son (10)! Suddenly, everything made sense. The bleeding she was experiencing represented the miraculous resumption of fertility, and as this realization dawned upon her, she laughed (12). If this is all the case, then one can imagine this scene playing out. The visitors asked where Sarah was. Abraham stammered, trying to find the words to not embarrass anyone. The Lord makes his announcement. Sarah giggled at the thought. The Lord, in a stern voice, asked why she was laughing. Sarah, afraid her giggle may have caused offense, blurted, I did not laugh. And the Lord breaks into a broad smile and chuckled, No, you did laugh.
16-21 The significance of this exchange should not be overlooked. God chose Abraham to become a great and powerful nation and a source of blessing for all the nations. He was chosen so that he [would] command his children and his house after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just. That is, Abraham was to play a crucial role in God’s plan to redeem mankind, and his opening question – Should I hide what I am about to do from Abraham? – suggested that God wants to reveal himself and his plan to his faithful servants and partners in redemption. This stood in stark contrast to how he used the Assyrians and Babylonians, etc, as mere pawns in his plan. God wants to share with us his plan. We must make sure we are the type of people he can trust with it!
22-23 It is interesting that God never explicitly said that he was planning to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah for their sin, but by the tone of his voice and his demeanor, as the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, Abraham discerned, Will you really sweep away the righteous with the wicked? After 24 years of walking faithfully before the Lord, Abraham did not need words to understand what God was thinking. Lord, I long for such intimacy with you!
24-33 This exchange is hotly debated among scholars. Was Abraham really haggling with God? Would God have changed his mind and relented in destroying Sodom and Gomorrah if Abraham had pressed on and asked if God would destroy it if there was only one righteous man? In some ways, the discussion is moot because God did really change his course of action. In others, however, it is significant. For instance, it is significant that God did not smite Abraham on the spot. God had revealed his will, and for a mere mortal to question that and suggest it might be too harsh was nothing short of insolence. This suggests that God does not demand that his followers obey without question. Rather, he welcomes questions and dialogue so that we can truly understand his heart.
Why did Abraham stop at ten? Perhaps he assumed that Lot and his family would account for ten righteous men. Perhaps he recalled the story of Noah and how God saved the one righteous man rather than spare the whole wicked earth. Perhaps he realized Lot was not righteous.