Genesis 18

Signs of Sanctification

Illus: Parenting 5 children and watching them grow.

Signs of Sanctification

1. We understand the difference between light and darkness.

The Lord appeared--

Mamre is where Abraham and Lot has parted and where Abraham had rescued Lot.

Theophany—The Lord and two angelic messengers. This should alert us to the importance of the event of the announcement of Isaac’s birth and to the stark contrast between Abraham and Lot…Canaan and Sodom.

The noon encounter in this chapter and the night scene at Sodom in the next are in every sense a contrast of light and darkness.

1 John 1:5 CSB

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in him.

Abraham immediately understands he is in the presence of the Lord and responds accordingly.

2. We are ready to serve others without hesitation.

While there are 3 men, Abraham address one who is clearly distinct. “my lord.”

*It is so important how we treat other human beings.

Made in the image of God—the way we treat each other is a representation about what we really believe about God.

**There is a stark difference between being hospitable and being an entertainer.

The NT Continues the emphasis on the importance of hospitality and the dinner table.

Matthew 25:35 CSB

“ ‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took me in;

Luke 7:44–46 CSB

Turning to the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she, with her tears, has washed my feet and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but she hasn’t stopped kissing my feet since I came in. You didn’t anoint my head with olive oil, but she has anointed my feet with perfume.

Luke 19:1–10 CSB

He entered Jericho and was passing through. There was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but he was not able because of the crowd, since he was a short man. So running ahead, he climbed up a sycamore tree to see Jesus, since he was about to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down because today it is necessary for me to stay at your house.” So he quickly came down and welcomed him joyfully. All who saw it began to complain, “He’s gone to stay with a sinful man.” But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, I’ll give half of my possessions to the poor, Lord. And if I have extorted anything from anyone, I’ll pay back four times as much.” “Today salvation has come to this house,” Jesus told him, “because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.”

Luke records several instances of Jesus dining with sinners not just as a guest, but as a host.

Romans 15:7 CSB

Therefore accept one another, just as Christ also accepted you, to the glory of God.

1 Timothy 3:2 CSB

An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

Hebrews 13:2 CSB

Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it.

Provisions and protection were given, including for their animals. Refreshments were given and feet were washed, a meal was prepared and overnight accommodations were given.

Abraham moves with haste and demonstrates biblical hospitality. He is to be a blessing to the nations…and that means he must be a blessing to individuals.

**

The Lord confirms his promise to Abraham—2-4 months after chapter 17.

Sarah Laughs…and God knows. The Lord demonstrates his sovereignty in declaring that he knows Sarah’s thoughts and actions even though she is not in his presence.

Culturally, women did not eat with men which explains why she is not present but she is close enough that she can hear the conversation and the promise.

A/S are old—advanced in years—past the age of bearing children.

Not only could they not have children…they were not even trying at this point. There was no over the counter or prescription drug that they could get.

A/S had been viewing the world through the eyes of man instead of the eyes of faith.

But nothing is impossible with the Lord.

Too often we be little God…and confine him to our little perceptions and boxes and get upset if things don’t go our way. IDOLATRY.

3. We plead for the nations to know Christ.

Abraham will have a nation in which all other nations will be blessed. v18

AND

This nation will keep the way of the Lord.

RIGHT and JUST

Hendiadys--Butterfly.

Butterfly.

SOCIAL JUSTICE.

In a world full of Sodoms…we are to be the light of the world.

Micah 6:8 CSB

Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.

The outcries coming up from Sodom concerned social injustices.

Abraham still pleads for Sodom and Gomorrah

Abraham rested his argument upon the twin pillars of divine justice and divine mercy. Abraham was at a moral impasse: if the cities are destroyed, the innocent suffer, in which case the justice of God becomes suspect; or if the cities are spared, the guilty escape their just deserts, again impugning the integrity of God.

If Abraham is to father a heritage that adheres to the “way of the LORD by doing what is right and just” (v. 19), the question of the righteousness of God's conduct is fundamental. The dialogue says more about the nature of God's justice than the intercessory character of Abraham (see comments on 19:29).

Mathews, Kenneth. : An Exegetical and Theological Exposition of Holy Scripture: 1B (The New American Commentary) (Kindle Locations 5473-5475). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.