Contributing
commentaries by Sonny Islas and James Fire
Studies
by Ray Steadman: When GOD Comes To Dinner GEN 18:1-15
GENESIS
18: GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS – by Sonny Islas
(We were not able to make a video recording of this teaching)
(We were not able to make a video recording of this teaching)
Introduction:
From GEN
18:1-15 Yahweh (God) shares Good News with Sarah
“Sarah’s having a baby!” the son of Promise (Isaac).
From verses
16-33 Yahweh shares Bad News with Abraham about His
just judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah.
This good news
for Sarah and Abraham and this bad news for Sodom and Gomorrah is a beautiful
picture of God’s attributes, both His amazing grace and His dreadful
justice. God saves those who turn to Him by faith and
yet God destroys those who reject His righteous rule. In one
scene God is giving life (Isaac who points to Jesus) and
in the next scene God is taking life (Sodom and Gomorrah).
Here is a picture of both the narrow way and the broad way.
GENESIS
18:1-15
[vs. 1] “The
LORD appeared to him”
This was
then 5th time the LORD appeared to Abraham since He
entered Canaan - (Genesis 12:2, 13:14-17, 15:1-21, 17:1-22)
As we can see,
the LORD (Jehovah, Yahweh God) appears in human form: Known as a
Theophany or Christophany.
God appearing
in human form was a foreshadow of the Word becoming flesh (John
1:14) – Jesus (the Godman) “Emmanuel – God with us” – Matthew
1:23. The other two visitors, we later learn, were angels (Genesis
19:1).
[vs. 1] “by
the trees of Mamre”
Mamre (in
Hebron) was a special spot to Abraham. Abraham built an altar
there (Genesis
13:18), and lived
there for some time (Genesis
14:13). Abraham
purchased a plot of land in Mamre, and used it for Sarah’s burial (Genesis
23:17-19). Abraham
was buried there (Genesis
25:9), and so was
his son Isaac (Genesis 49:30; 50:13). Home sweet home! The city of Hebron, for the first Hebrew by name (Genesis 14:13).
[vs. 1] “He was sitting
in the tent door in the heat of the day”
At this time, people were for the most part very hospitable; Abraham sat at the front door to get some fresh air but even more so to keep an eye out for any strangers passing by in order to bless them with rest, fresh water and food.
At this time, people were for the most part very hospitable; Abraham sat at the front door to get some fresh air but even more so to keep an eye out for any strangers passing by in order to bless them with rest, fresh water and food.
In other words,
Abraham was always looking for an opportunity to meet a need. He wasn’t
locked away in his bedroom with a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on it (but this is the
cold heart of our culture today).
Rather he was sitting at the front door waiting and ready to be a blessing.
Question: Are we, watching, waiting and willing to show some practical love to others? Are we willing to get out of our comfort zone and bless others? Are we upfront and visible for others to see and come to or are we locked away doing our own thing without regular, physical, meaningful, human contact?
Abraham was a face to face, heart to heart type of man.
Rather he was sitting at the front door waiting and ready to be a blessing.
Question: Are we, watching, waiting and willing to show some practical love to others? Are we willing to get out of our comfort zone and bless others? Are we upfront and visible for others to see and come to or are we locked away doing our own thing without regular, physical, meaningful, human contact?
Abraham was a face to face, heart to heart type of man.
I’ve heard a
person say, “to be hospitable is to be a hospital.” While on earth,
wasn’t Jesus a hospital for the hurting? READ Isaiah 61:1-3.
I pray that our
fellowship would be a home, a hospital and a place of hope for the
heartbroken. My grandmother-in-law was hospitable to the tired workers
walking home from a mine nearby.
Footnote: Notice Abraham lived in a
tent. Kenneth “the money monster” Copeland, once said that He’s filthy
rich because he is a son of Abraham and that the blessing of Abraham is
wealth.
For one, the blessing of Abraham is Jesus the Messiah and for two, Copeland lives in lavish multimillion-dollar homes while the very wealthy Abraham lived in a tent. Abraham could have lived in a palace-style home but chose not to.
For one, the blessing of Abraham is Jesus the Messiah and for two, Copeland lives in lavish multimillion-dollar homes while the very wealthy Abraham lived in a tent. Abraham could have lived in a palace-style home but chose not to.
I believe that
at first glance Abraham didn’t fully know (but most likely had a
hunch) that he was in the presence of and entertaining both Yahweh - The
Creator of the universe and two angels.
Hebrews 13:2 says, “Do not forget to
entertain strangers, for by doing so some have entertained angels.’’ We
see that with Abraham here; and also with Lot in GEN 19:2. Lot
treated the angels just like his uncle Abraham did. He fed both God and
angels – how cool is that?!
Here, Paul is
saying, show kindness to everyone because you might
just bump into an angel unaware: I don’t want angels to think I’m a jerk! Notice verse 2 says, “he
ran” - Abraham was eager and quick to serve! Verse
6 says, “Abraham hurried” and verse 7 says, “Abraham ran.” Are we eager and quick to show love to God and others?
[vs. 9]
“Where is
Sarah your wife?”
In GEN
17:16,17 The LORD tells Abraham that Sarah will have a son and he
cracks up (even named him according to their reaction – ‘Isaac’:
meaning laughter). Now the LORD brings this good news
to Sarah and she cracks up (inside) too.
Could it be
that Abraham told Sarah and she said ‘yeah right! I won’t believe it until God
tells me Himself.’ It’s a possibility because she laughed in unbelief but then
God helped her unbelief by delivering the good news in person, so that Hebrews 11:11 says
of Sarah,
“And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise.”
“And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise.”
This shows us
that 1. The LORD gave more detail to Abraham and Sarah
about who exactly will bear this child (this son of
promise) – this way in their impatience, they don’t try and pull
another Hagar. 2. To build up Sarah’s faith. (At
times, The LORD visits us too and speaks to us through His Word when we lack
faith) 3. God at times doesn’t move until no
one can get the credit but Him for what He does. 4. The
works of God are laughable at times especially to the unbeliever.
For example, if
God would have told me that He was going to make a pastor out of me at the age
of 15 while I was holding a joint to my lips I would have laughed in His face.
On a more
significant note, Jesus was a joke to many in His day. He was a punch line
and comic strip to many. Scripture even prophesied that He would be the song of
drunkards (Psalm 69:8-12)!
They would say
things like,
“How can this nobody, this son of a carpenter be the Messiah? Ha! Yeah, right!” At the time of His crucifixion the Roman soldiers mocked Him, struck and poked fun at Him by placing a scarlet robe on His body and a crown of thorns on His head and a stick in his hand, then they mockingly bowed their knees and said “Hail, the King of the Jews.”
Their reasoning was, it’s impossible for this nobody to be a king, much less God.
“How can this nobody, this son of a carpenter be the Messiah? Ha! Yeah, right!” At the time of His crucifixion the Roman soldiers mocked Him, struck and poked fun at Him by placing a scarlet robe on His body and a crown of thorns on His head and a stick in his hand, then they mockingly bowed their knees and said “Hail, the King of the Jews.”
Their reasoning was, it’s impossible for this nobody to be a king, much less God.
So, Sarah
laughs within, and the LORD read her heart but she denies her laughter, and the
LORD calls her out on it. That must have been pretty embarrassing and sobering
– like "Wow, He just read my mind! I better shut up!”
[Vs. 14]
Then the LORD
says something none of us should ever, ever, ever, forget. “Is
anything too hard for the LORD?’
To which I add - The LORD who is self-exists and in need of nothing - The LORD who is all-knowing, all-powerful and all-present; The LORD who created everything visible and invisible by the word of His mouth. Is anything too difficult for our GOD?
Multitudes of angelic beings with mind blowing powers; The LORD who created the Heavens and the earth and hung it all on nothing! The LORD who created trillions of galaxies that make up trillions of gigantic stars and knows them all by name.
To which I add - The LORD who is self-exists and in need of nothing - The LORD who is all-knowing, all-powerful and all-present; The LORD who created everything visible and invisible by the word of His mouth. Is anything too difficult for our GOD?
Multitudes of angelic beings with mind blowing powers; The LORD who created the Heavens and the earth and hung it all on nothing! The LORD who created trillions of galaxies that make up trillions of gigantic stars and knows them all by name.
The LORD who
created billions of people, trillions of animals and faithfully provides
breathe and food for us all. The LORD who flooded the entire earth. The
LORD who raised Lazarus from the grave after 4 days. The LORD who has
healed innumerable souls.
The LORD who
took upon Himself the form of sinful flesh (became human) to die in
our place then raise Himself from the dead. . .
“Is anything
too hard for the LORD?” What’s
an old woman with an old womb that’s out of service to the LORD? Did the LORD have a hard
time turning Adam’s rib into His wife?
Listen, what’s impossible for
man is possible with God (Mark 10:27)!
She laughed because it was humanly and naturally impossible for her to give birth. She knew the facts of life, but she quickly learned that God is not bound by her bareness and old age. And that God does what He says and wants, and no one can stop Him!
She laughed because it was humanly and naturally impossible for her to give birth. She knew the facts of life, but she quickly learned that God is not bound by her bareness and old age. And that God does what He says and wants, and no one can stop Him!
Never say that
the LORD can’t do a new work in your heart or bring to
life what is dead. Never say that the LORD can’t restore a broken marriage.
Never say that the LORD could never save my best friend or your worst enemy. Never say that the
LORD can’t spark a real revival in this part of town. “Is there anything
too hard for the LORD?”
READ GENESIS
18:16-33
[vs 16]
“Shall
I hide from Abraham what I am doing?”
Here we hear the LORD is speaking, thinking and reasoning
with Himself about Abraham.
“Shall I hide…for I have known Him” Here
we’re reminded that the LORD tells His beloved people what He plans to do and
even for us here today, God has made major future events known to us through
scripture!
In John 15:15 Jesus says to His disciples “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.” And in Isaiah 41:8 God calls Abraham “My friend.”
In John 15:15 Jesus says to His disciples “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.” And in Isaiah 41:8 God calls Abraham “My friend.”
We know the
future because we are the friends of God! This is why the LORD has given to us
His written Word and has opened our eyes and hearts and has not hidden the way
of Salvation, the Great Tribulation, the Millennial Reign, the Great White Throne
Judgement, eternal heaven or hell, the New Jerusalem/New Heavens and New Earth
from us – because He loves us and considers us His friends!
For more about friends of GOD and how He relates to them, check out this article: FROM The MIND of FIRE - Another Smoke Signal: SECRETS AMONG FRIENDS.
For more about friends of GOD and how He relates to them, check out this article: FROM The MIND of FIRE - Another Smoke Signal: SECRETS AMONG FRIENDS.
“I am doing” God
was determined and set to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, but He wasn’t
rude to Abraham, He didn’t say “Too bad, so sad Abraham but My mind is made up
– live with it!”
Instead the LORD kindly allowed Abraham to negotiate, pray and plead for Lot and these sinful cities. – (I wonder what would have happened if Abraham said “would you have mercy on the cities if there are only three righteous? And we’re not 100% sure that Lot’s daughters were righteous.).
Instead the LORD kindly allowed Abraham to negotiate, pray and plead for Lot and these sinful cities. – (I wonder what would have happened if Abraham said “would you have mercy on the cities if there are only three righteous? And we’re not 100% sure that Lot’s daughters were righteous.).
[Vs. 20]
“And
the Lord said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is
great, and because their sin is very grave,”
I recall a
minister I once heard say that he believed that every perverted and unjust
thing that we can think of was happening regularly, not slowing down in
Sodom and Gomorrah. Homosexuality, pedophilia, prostitution; even bestiality and Incest (which may explain why
Lot’s daughters did what they did).
We see here that God seems to allow sin to continue until a
certain point; then He comes to judge and there is no turning back!
[Vs. 23]
“And
Abraham came near and said, “Would You also destroy
the righteous with the wicked?”
This reminds me of Heb. 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we
may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
“Will you also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
... Far it from You to do such a thing … Shall not the Judge of all the earth
do right?”
I’m sure Abraham is thinking of the world flood and Noah. We see this pattern in scripture with Israel in Egypt too (the exodus), and now Lot.
This is a passage that supports the Pre-Trib Rapture view (That the LORD will take us out before His wrath rains down.) In the end, the LORD will make an eternal distinction between the godly and the unjust (2 Peter 2:9).
Those who turned to God by faith in Jesus will spend eternity in Heaven and those that didn’t turn to God will spend an eternity in the Lake of Fire (John 5:29; Rev 3:5; 20:11-15).
I’m sure Abraham is thinking of the world flood and Noah. We see this pattern in scripture with Israel in Egypt too (the exodus), and now Lot.
This is a passage that supports the Pre-Trib Rapture view (That the LORD will take us out before His wrath rains down.) In the end, the LORD will make an eternal distinction between the godly and the unjust (2 Peter 2:9).
Those who turned to God by faith in Jesus will spend eternity in Heaven and those that didn’t turn to God will spend an eternity in the Lake of Fire (John 5:29; Rev 3:5; 20:11-15).
At this point Abraham is thinking of his nephew Lot and
his family. 2 Peter 2:7-8 calls Lot righteous and says that
his soul was vexed (deeply disturbed) by all he saw and heard. Are we
broken over our godless culture?
Abraham works his plea down from 50 to 10 – this could
point to two things 1. Abraham knowing very well of the great wickedness of
these cities and 2. Lot’s unproductive witness – no soul winning.
As Abraham prays, it sounds like he’s only or at least mostly
concerned for the righteous (like Jesus in John 17 in His
high Priestly prayer “I don’t pray for the world but
for those you have given Me are Yours”) On the
other hand we are to be pleading with God in prayer for the lost souls around
us.
1 Timothy 2:1-4 “prayers made for all men… (government leaders too) ...[God] who desires for ALL to be saved...”
1 Timothy 2:1-4 “prayers made for all men… (government leaders too) ...[God] who desires for ALL to be saved...”
By the way these passages are a constant reminder
that the LORD will always do what’s right. Even when I don’t understand the
injustices of our fallen world, I know that He is perfectly just, and He will
make all wrong right someday, soon!
Psalm 73
1 Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. 2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. 3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. 5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. 7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. 8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. 9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. 10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? 12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. 13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. 14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. 15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; 17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. 18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. 19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. 20 As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. 23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. 24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. 27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. 28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.
Psalm 73
1 Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. 2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. 3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. 5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. 7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. 8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. 9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. 10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? 12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. 13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. 14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. 15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; 17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. 18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. 19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. 20 As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. 23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. 24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. 27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. 28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.
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