Read with Me
Genesis 18:1-8 (HCSB)
Then the LORD appeared to Abraham at the oaks of Mamre while he was sitting in the entrance of his tent during the heat of the day. He looked up, and he saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to meet them and bowed to the ground. Then he said, “My lord, if I have found favor in your sight, please do not go on past your servant. Let a little water be brought, that you may wash your feet and rest yourselves under the tree. I will bring a bit of bread so that you may strengthen yourselves. This is why you have passed your servant’s way. Later, you can continue on.”
“Yes,” they replied, “do as you have said.”
So Abraham hurried into the tent and said to Sarah, “Quick! Knead three measures of fine flour and make bread.” Meanwhile, Abraham ran to the herd and got a tender, choice calf. He gave it to a young man, who hurried to prepare it. Then Abraham took curds and milk, and the calf that he had prepared, and set them before the men. He served them as they ate under the tree.
Listen with Me
Manifestations of God in human form are called “theophanies” by theologians. In this instance, God appeared to Abraham, but at first, he did not realize it was Him. When God had appeared to him at other times, He had not appeared in a physical form.
Even though there were three men seen by Abraham, this was not an appearance by the Trinity. Instead, two of these “men” were angels, divine messengers of God’s judgment on the cities of the plain (See Genesis 18:22, 19:1). God’s own mission was to speak to Abraham about his future and the future of Sodom and Gomorrah. The mission of the Angels was to destroy the cities of the plain, and they merely stopped with God on the way.
Hospitality was and is a high priority for people who live in sparsely populated places, because conditions are often harsh. In fact, they can be fatal for those who had to bear them alone. So, when Abraham saw the three men standing nearby, his first response was to offer them the hospitality of his camp: food, water, and a shady spot to rest in during the heat of the day.
The amount of food prepared by Abraham and Sarah for the visitors was far more than three people could eat. The fuss made over these visitors gives some indication that he quickly realized that they were more than simple travelers. He seemed to sense that they were, at the very least, on a mission from God, as shown by his bowing down with his face to the ground, although he had no idea what that mission was. And as they ate, Abraham stood nearby, choosing to not only act as host, but to serve the food as well.
Pray with Me
Father, Abraham’s heart was tuned to Your presence, even when You came near ways he had never experienced before. Something in him sprang instantly to attention the moment he saw You, and he responded appropriately, giving You the very best of all You had given him. He invited You into his space, and waited for your commands, making no requests of his own. That seems like an absolutely appropriate attitude for all of us to adopt every moment, since we, unlike Abraham, get to live consciously in Your presence all the time. Lord, help my own heart to beat in rhythm with Yours, so that every time You draw near, I can sense it and come to Your service. Amen.