City Life Starter

Written by Scott Fiddler

The Word

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. ² 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 ³ and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. ⁴ Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, ⁵ 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.” ⁶ And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes.” ⁷ And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly. ⁸ 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)

But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham, my friend;

Isaiah 41:8

Commentary

This is a very curious passage of Scripture, and to be candid, I am not sure I understand it fully. It appears the three visitors to Abraham are the pre-incarnate Jesus and two angels. Why do I think that? Well, the chapter begins with, “The Lord appeared to him…” and Abraham addresses one of them as “Lord.” Gen. 18:3. Then, at the end of the chapter it says, “As soon as He had finished speaking to Abraham, the Lord departed…” (Gen. 18:33), and in the next verse it says, “Now the two angels came to Sodom…” (Gen. 19:1).

In between these passages, we see Abraham bowing to the Lord (v. 2), asking the three to stay with him for a while (v. 3), offering them the opportunity to wash their feet and rest in the shade (v. 4), preparing them food (vv. 5-8), and waiting and watching while they ate (v. 8). 

I will let my fellow Starter writers address the reason for the Lord’s visit. I want to focus on Abraham’s response to the Lord’s visit, and in that response there are at least three things of note.

First, Abraham recognized the Lord’s presence. Although, it is not entirely clear, it appears Abraham had never seen the pre-incarnate Jesus, although he had previously heard the voice of the Lord and the Lord had previously appeared to him. Yet, here, Abraham immediately recognizes that he was in the presence of the Lord.

Second, Abraham welcomed the Lord’s presence. Unlike the fallen Adam, Abraham did not run away from the Lord but moved toward Him. 

Third, Abraham served the Lord. Abraham accepted the Lord and immediately served Him. 

Application

Abraham’s response to being visited by the Lord is a model for those of us who know the Lord. We should recognize His presence, whether it be in a church service, in our quiet time, or at work. When we recognize His presence, we should welcome Him and in that moment seek how we can serve Him, so that like Abraham, the Lord may call us “friend.” See Isaiah 41:8.

Prayer

Lord, help me to always recognize Your presence and respond as Abraham responded. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.