Origins: The Promise (Genesis 12–25)Sample

By Lisa Supp

“Then the Lord appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre, as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day. So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him.” Genesis 18:1-2 (NKJV)   

Have you ever been into a book or movie that just seems to build and build? You’re hooked and it gets more and more engaging with each chapter or scene. The story of Abraham’s life is like that, only infinitely better. For as amazing as his biography has been up to this point, we now come to an event that takes it to a new level.

It begins unassumingly, on a day much like every other day in the ancient Middle East. Under the blazing sun, Abraham sits in the shade of his tent door. And then, unlike any other day, three men are suddenly standing before him. As the story unfolds (and without spoiling too much) we find that one of them is the Lord, Himself, and the other two companions are angels who will play an important role in the next chapter. The point is, this is a divine delegation. 

Watch Abraham’s response: “When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground, and said, ‘My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant. Please let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. And I will bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh your hearts. After that you may pass by, inasmuch as you have come to your servant.’ They said, ‘Do as you have said.’” (Genesis 18:2-5 NKJV). 

Abraham, sensing the supernatural nature of this visit, seeks to accommodate and bless his guests. They accept his hospitality which sets both Abraham and Sarah in motion: “So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, ‘Quickly, make ready three measures of fine meal; knead it and make cakes.’ And Abraham ran to the herd, took a tender and good calf, gave it to a young man, and he hastened to prepare it. So he took butter and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree as they ate” (Genesis 18:6-8 NKJV).

Sometimes the Bible paints a surreal picture, and this is certainly one of those! God and two angels have descended upon Abraham’s tent. He does what he knows to do, shows hospitality. They accept, and then he and Sarah set about to prepare the best meal possible for them! Do you see the juxtaposition of the natural and the supernatural? What could be more natural than lounging in one’s “home” and making a meal? And what could be more supernatural than God, Himself, showing up with a couple of angels? But that’s exactly what’s happening here!

What would you do if God came to your home? How would you react? What would it change?

It’s a question worth asking because, well, if you’re a Christian, God is already in your home. In fact, He’s in your heart! We can easily overlook this fact, but it’s as true as anything the Bible tells us (Colossians 1:27, Ephesians 3:17). 

So, with that in mind, how accommodating are we towards Him? Are we sensitive to His presence, His wants, or His dislikes? Is there anything we are to be ashamed of? Is there something we shouldn’t have lying there out in the open or hidden away in a closet? 

The point isn’t to shame us here, but to remind us that what happened with Abraham happens to us on a continual basis as God dwells in us by His Spirit. He’s always with us, especially when we’re home. And knowing this, we should be as open, responsive, and accommodating to Him as Abraham was.

DIG: What surreal juxtaposition do we see in this account?

DISCOVER: How does this also play out in the life of the Christian?

DO: Consider what changes can be made to make your home environment more accommodating to the Lord.