Origins: The Promise (Genesis 12–25)Sample

By Pastor Dan Hickling

“Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening . . .” Genesis 19:1 (NKJV)

Genesis chapter 19 opens on an ominous note. God visits Abraham in the form of a man with two angelic beings. Abraham senses the supernatural, bows before the Lord, and prepares a meal for them. The meal concludes, the promise that Sarah would conceive a child is given, and the three prepare to leave. 

But God reveals His plan to destroy the city of Sodom to Abraham and stays behind to speak with him while the angels start towards the city. Fast forward a few hours; it’s now evening, and as the veil of darkness begins to descend over Sodom, these divine delegates arrive at the outskirts of the city. 

To onlookers, these are two vulnerable travelers seeking refuge for the night behind the protective walls of the city. In fact, we’ll learn later on that the citizens of Sodom took special note of these visitors and started to scheme on how they might abduct them. Outwardly, they looked like lambs making their way to the slaughter.

However, we know this was as far as possible from the actual truth! These men were angelic beings, unimaginably powerful and capable of not only defending themselves but destroying all of Sodom, as well. Don’t forget, a single angel once slew 185,000 Assyrian warriors in their sleep (Isaiah 37:36)! And these angels were on a horrific errand, a mission to verify the depravity of the city and validate its utter obliteration. These two visitors aren’t vulnerable; the entire city is defenseless before them.        

There’s a vast difference between the natural and the supernatural, and if you look carefully, the same disparity shows up in our lives. From an earthly perspective, a trial seems to be nothing but negative, an illness is diagnosed, the door of opportunity slams shut, a relationship dissolves. Tragic!

But what natural eyes cannot see are the supernatural realities involved. From heaven’s vantage point: the illness is actually a catalyst to develop a deeper spiritual life, the door closes so you’ll discover the open door that’s far better for you, and the dissolution of that relationship is actually for your protection. 

What may appear tragic is actually the opposite. The natural and supernatural are often at opposite ends of the spectrum, so don’t view your life by an earthly perspective, but make heaven’s vantage point your lens for life. What you’ll see is far different from what the onlooking world sees; a God who is greater than any situation you face and who is working all things together for the good of His people.

DIG: How did the world’s perspective differ from the reality of these angels?

DISCOVER: When do you tend to look at life naturally instead of supernaturally?

DO: Consider the things you should/can do when faced with this temptation.