Scripture: And the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes.” And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly. Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate.
Genesis 18:1-8 ESV [Click here to read the entire chapter.]
Observation: Recapping Friday’s Daily Focus, God first informs Abraham that his wife’s name is now Sarah (Hebrew meaning “noblewoman” or “princess”) and that he will bless her with a son. Consequently, she will be the mother of many nations and kings through her child. Hearing this astounding promise, Moses falls face down, laughs, and questions how a hundred-year-old man and ninety-nine-year-old woman can bring forth a child. Turning to God, Abraham next pines that the Lord might fulfill his promise through Ishmael. But God rejects the notion and emphasizes that the covenant is through Sarah’s offspring, whom she will bring forth next year. And they are to name him Isaac. Still, God adds, he will bless Ishmael, who will father twelve princes and become a great nation. So, Abraham gathered all the males of his house (relatives and servants alike), and together, they circumcised each other’s foreskins.
Today’s passage marks the Lord’s fourth visit with Abraham. This time, the Lord reveals himself in the form of three men. Abraham, still encamped by the oaks of Mamre (see first mention in 13:18), is resting in the shade of the door of his tent and thus able to see the men walking toward him. Abraham greets the three as one (i.e., Moses uses the proper noun “Yahweh” in the singular tense) and implores them to stay and receive refreshments. Of first order, Abraham offers to have his servants wash their feet while he will return with bread to sustain them for the next leg of their journey. So they tell Abraham to do as he suggests. Thus, Abraham launches into action:
- He hurries to his tent and requests Sarah to make cakes of fine flour.
- He runs to his herd, selects the finest fattened calf, and instructs his servant to prepare it quickly.
- He gathers curds, milk, bread, and roasted meat and serves this extravagant meal to the men.
Again, showing deference to his guests, Abraham stands nearby under the shade of a tree and watches the men enjoy their food.
Takeaway: Theologians debate over the identity of the three men, but, as mentioned above, the Hebrew grammar points to a theophany. Thus, Yahweh’s three-in-one appearance to Abraham hints at the Trinity (similar to the opening verse of the Creation Story). What is clear is that Moses recognizes his Lord per his salutation. Thus, even though he is uncertain of the purpose or extent of this privileged visit, he desires to give his best—exceeding the customary hospitality of the ancient Near East. But why are these details so important to the author, Moses? Over the remainder of this chapter and the next two, we will see a juxtaposition of one who knows and sees his Lord (Abraham) and the other (Lot) who initially does not (more said at a later date).
Additionally, our text points us to the most significant of theophanies recorded in our four Gospels: the story of the Son of God. Interestingly, Jesus’ ministry centered on extending or receiving hospitality, whether at a wedding, well, home, hillside, or upper room. And he taught about hospitality. Perhaps Jesus’ most significant lesson is the Parable of the Prodigal Son, where he portrays the heart of a loving father extending hospitality to an underserving son. Yet, because the son returns with a contrite heart and humbly asks the father to receive him as a servant, the father embraces him, places a ring on his finger, and directs a servant to butcher a fattened calf so that the celebration may begin.
Our takeaway? There are two. First, we must invest time in the Word, prayer, and the community of believers to deepen our knowledge of the Lord. Indeed, as we mature our understanding of God’s attributes and covenantal promises and commands, we will more readily recognize when he is in our midst. We will see the evidence of his handwork in and around us and others, and we will know it is him. The second point builds on the first: be extravagant with our hospitality, for when we are generous toward others, we act like God, who extravagantly offered his best to us in the sacrifice of his Son. Moreover, when we serve the “least of these,” we serve Christ (Matthew 25:40), and when we show hospitality to strangers, we may entertain angels (Hebrews 13:1).
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your Son, the most extravagant of gifts to us who were once your enemies. And we thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit, who convicts, comforts, and guides us in thinking and behaving in loving and giving ways so that we might show generous hospitality to the least, the last, and the lost. So, please help us follow your son’s lead and use the resources you have given us to reveal your extraordinarily generous hospitality toward others. Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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