Explanation
Abraham's Plea
(Genesis 18)
Genesis
18 is a chapter in the Book of Genesis in the Bible, which recounts the story
of Abraham and the visitation of three angels to him.
The
chapter begins with Abraham sitting at the entrance of his tent during the heat
of the day. Suddenly, he sees three men standing nearby, and he runs to greet
them and offer them hospitality. Abraham insists on providing them with food
and water, and they accept his offer.
As
they dine, the visitors ask about Sarah, Abraham's wife, and inform him that
she will have a son within a year. Sarah, who is listening from inside the
tent, laughs to herself because she is well beyond childbearing age. The Lord,
who is one of the visitors, questions why Sarah laughed, and promises that
nothing is too hard for the Lord and that Sarah will indeed have a son.
Afterward,
the visitors prepare to leave, and Abraham accompanies them on their way. The
Lord then contemplates whether He should hide from Abraham what He is about to
do, as He plans to investigate the wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah. However,
because of Abraham's relationship with God and his potential to become a great
and righteous nation, the Lord decides to reveal His plan to him.
Abraham
boldly intercedes on behalf of the righteous people who may be living in Sodom
and Gomorrah, pleading with the Lord to spare the cities if there are even just
fifty righteous people present. The Lord agrees to spare the cities for the
sake of the fifty righteous people. Abraham continues to negotiate, asking if
the cities would be spared for the sake of forty-five, forty, thirty, twenty,
and finally, ten righteous people. Each time, the Lord agrees to spare the
cities if the specified number of righteous people is found.
After
the conversation ends, the Lord departs, and Abraham returns to his tent. The
narrative then shifts to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, which is
detailed in the subsequent chapters of Genesis.
In
summary, Genesis 18 tells the story of Abraham's encounter with three angelic
visitors, who inform him that Sarah will have a son. The Lord also reveals His
plan to investigate the wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah to Abraham, who
intercedes on behalf of the righteous people living there. Through their
conversation, Abraham negotiates with the Lord, asking for the cities to be
spared if a certain number of righteous people are found.
Abraham's Plea
Amidst
the scorching sun's fierce rays,
Abraham
sat, his heart ablaze,
Three
strangers near, their presence grand,
He
ran to them with open hand.
He
offered food, a lavish feast,
To
angels sent from the heavenly east,
As
they dined, a prophecy spoke,
Sarah,
too, listened, her faith awoke.
They
promised a child, a miracle untold,
Sarah
laughed, her doubts uncontrolled,
But
the Lord heard her skeptical voice,
Revealing
His power, giving her no choice.
Abraham
walked with the angels apace,
As
they neared Sodom, a wicked place,
God
pondered His plan, His righteous test,
To
Abraham, He chose to manifest.
Abraham
pleaded, a humble plea,
For
the righteous, his heart did plea,
From
fifty to ten, he bargained for grace,
The
Lord agreed, the cities to embrace.
With
each plea, a lesson unfurled,
The
value of righteous souls in this world,
Abraham's
faith, his love so true,
In
saving the just, the Lord would pursue.
Thus,
Abraham's plea, a testament bright,
To
the power of faith, the strength of light,
In
the face of darkness, his voice did soar,
A
plea for mercy forevermore.
"Abraham's
Plea," a tale of compassion and might,
A
legacy woven in faith's resolute flight,
In
Genesis 18, a chapter sublime,
Where
love and justice intertwine.
Explanation
Verses
1 to 11 of Genesis 18 describe Abraham's encounter with three visitors who turn
out to be angels sent by the Lord.
Verse
1: "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."
Abraham
is sitting at the entrance of his tent, likely seeking shelter from the heat of
the day. The Lord appears to him near the oaks of Mamre, which was a place
where Abraham had previously set up his tent.
Verse
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."
As
Abraham lifts his eyes, he sees three men standing before him. In a display of
hospitality and reverence, Abraham quickly runs from the tent door to meet them
and bows down before them as a sign of respect.
Verse
3: "He said, 'O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by
your servant.'"
Abraham
addresses one of the men as "Lord," acknowledging their divine
nature, and humbly asks them not to pass by without accepting his hospitality.
Verse
4: "Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves
under the tree."
Abraham
offers them water to wash their feet and suggests that they rest and find shade
under the tree. He is eager to provide for their needs and make them
comfortable.
Verse
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.'"
Abraham
promises to bring them bread to eat and urges them to refresh themselves before
continuing their journey. The visitors agree to Abraham's offer and give him
permission to do as he has suggested.
Verse
6: "And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, 'Quick!
Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes.'"
Abraham
rushes into the tent to tell his wife, Sarah, about the visitors and instructs
her to quickly prepare a substantial amount of bread using fine flour.
Verse
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."
Abraham
hurries to the herd and selects a calf, specifically choosing a young and
tender one. He entrusts a young man with the task of quickly preparing the calf
for a meal.
Verse
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."
Abraham
serves the visitors curds, milk, and the prepared calf. He stands nearby,
attentively attending to them while they eat, demonstrating his dedicated
hospitality.
Verse
9: "They said to him, 'Where is Sarah your wife?' And he said, 'She is in
the tent.'"
The
visitors inquire about the whereabouts of Abraham's wife, Sarah. Abraham
responds, indicating that she is in the tent, likely within earshot of their
conversation.
Verse
10: "The Lord said, 'I will surely return to you about this time next
year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.' And Sarah was listening at the
tent door behind him."
One
of the visitors, who is later revealed to be the Lord Himself, makes a
significant announcement to Abraham. He declares that He will return to Abraham
and Sarah within a year, and Sarah, who is listening from the tent door, hears
this prophecy.
Verse
11: "Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women
had ceased to be with Sarah."
The
verse emphasizes the advanced age of both Abraham and Sarah. It clarifies that
Sarah had reached menopause, and the ability to bear children was no longer
possible for her naturally. This detail highlights the miraculous nature of the
promise that Sarah will conceive and have a son, which will be further explored
in the subsequent verses.
Verses
12 to 22 of Genesis 18 continue the narrative of Abraham's encounter with the
visitors, specifically focusing on the conversation between the Lord and
Abraham regarding the impending judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah. Here is an
explanation of each verse:
Verse
12: "So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, 'After I am worn out, and my
lord is old, shall I have pleasure?'"
Sarah,
who is inside the tent, overhears the Lord's promise that she will have a son.
Due to her advanced age and the physical limitations of both herself and
Abraham, she finds the idea incredulous and laughs to herself, doubting the
possibility of bearing a child at this stage in life.
Verse
13: "The Lord said to Abraham, 'Why did Sarah laugh and say, "Shall I
indeed bear a child, now that I am old?"'"
The
Lord, who is aware of Sarah's reaction, addresses Abraham and questions why
Sarah laughed and doubted the fulfillment of the promise. This shows the Lord's
omniscience and His intent to address Sarah's skepticism.
Verse
14: "Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will
return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son."
The
Lord responds to Sarah's doubt and poses a rhetorical question to emphasize His
power and ability. He assures Abraham that, despite Sarah's skepticism, He will
fulfill His promise to them. The Lord specifies that He will return at the
appointed time, which is about a year from that moment, and Sarah will conceive
and give birth to a son.
Verse
15: "But Sarah denied it, saying, 'I did not laugh,' for she was afraid.
He said, 'No, but you did laugh.'"
Sarah,
likely caught off guard by the Lord's knowledge of her laughter, denies
laughing out of fear. However, the Lord affirms that He is aware of her
laughter and corrects her, reminding her that she did, in fact, laugh.
Verse
16: "Then the men set out from there, and they looked down toward Sodom.
And Abraham went with them to set them on their way."
After
the conversation regarding Sarah's laughter, the three visitors prepare to
leave, and Abraham accompanies them as they continue their journey. They look
towards Sodom, indicating their destination, and Abraham accompanies them to
see them off.
Verse
17: "The Lord said, 'Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to
do,'"
The
Lord, contemplating His plan to investigate the wickedness of Sodom and
Gomorrah, questions whether He should keep it hidden from Abraham. This
signifies the intimate relationship between the Lord and Abraham and the trust
He has in him.
Verse
18: "Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation,
and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?"
The
Lord acknowledges Abraham's potential to become the father of a great and
righteous nation and emphasizes that through Abraham, all the nations of the
earth will receive blessings. This highlights the significance of Abraham's
role in God's divine plan.
Verse
19: "For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his
household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and
justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him."
The
Lord explains the reason for choosing Abraham, stating that He selected him to
be a leader and a source of instruction for his descendants and household.
Abraham's responsibility is to ensure that his children and household follow
the ways of the Lord, upholding righteousness and justice. By doing so, the
Lord will fulfill His promises to Abraham.
Verse
20: "Then the Lord said, 'Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is
great and their sin is very grave,"
The
Lord informs Abraham about the gravity of the sins committed in Sodom and
Gomorrah. The wickedness and the outcry against these cities have reached a
significant level, prompting the Lord's decision to investigate and intervene.
Verse
21: "I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to
the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know."
The
Lord reveals His plan to personally go down and assess the situation in Sodom
and Gomorrah. He will determine whether the sins committed there are as severe
as the outcry against them suggests. This statement reflects God's justice and
thoroughness in examining the situation before taking action.
Verse
22: "So the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still
stood before the Lord."
The
visitors, including the Lord, redirect their journey towards Sodom, indicating
their departure from Abraham's presence. However, Abraham remains in the
presence of the Lord, symbolizing his continued intercession and dialogue with
God regarding the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Verses
23 to 33 of Genesis 18 continue the dialogue between Abraham and the Lord
regarding the impending judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah.
Verse
23: "Then Abraham drew near and said, 'Will you indeed sweep away the
righteous with the wicked?'"
Abraham
approaches the Lord and raises a concern. He questions whether the Lord would
destroy the righteous inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah along with the wicked,
expressing his desire for the preservation of the righteous.
Verse
24: "'Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then
sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in
it?'"
Abraham
presents a hypothetical scenario, proposing that if there are fifty righteous
individuals in the city, would the Lord spare it from destruction for the sake
of those fifty righteous people.
Verse
25: "'Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death
with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from
you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?'"
Abraham
appeals to the character of God, expressing his belief that it would be unjust
for the Lord to destroy the righteous alongside the wicked. He affirms his
confidence in the Lord's righteousness, emphasizing that the Judge of all the
earth should do what is just.
Verse
26: "And the Lord said, 'If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I
will spare the whole place for their sake.'"
The
Lord responds to Abraham's plea and agrees that if there are fifty righteous
individuals in Sodom, He will spare the entire city from destruction for the
sake of those fifty righteous people.
Verse
27: "Abraham answered and said, 'Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the
Lord, I who am but dust and ashes.'"
Abraham
acknowledges his humble and limited position before the Lord, expressing his
awareness that he is merely a mortal being, unworthy to have such a dialogue
with the Lord.
Verse
28: "'Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking. Will you destroy
the whole city for lack of five?' And he said, 'I will not destroy it if I find
forty-five there.'"
Abraham
continues to negotiate with the Lord, lowering the number of righteous
individuals needed to spare the city. He asks if the Lord would destroy the
entire city if there were only forty-five righteous people present. The Lord
responds that He would not destroy it if He finds forty-five righteous
individuals.
Verse
29: "Again he spoke to him and said, 'Suppose forty are found there.' He
answered, 'For the sake of forty I will not do it.'"
Abraham
further reduces the number and asks if there were forty righteous individuals,
would the Lord still destroy the city. The Lord assures Abraham that He would
spare the city for the sake of forty righteous people.
Verse
30: "Then he said, 'Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak.
Suppose thirty are found there.' He answered, 'I will not do it, if I find
thirty there.'"
Abraham
persists in his intercession, lowering the number even more and proposing the
scenario of thirty righteous individuals. The Lord assures Abraham once again
that He would not destroy the city if He finds thirty righteous individuals.
Verse
31: "He said, 'Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord. Suppose
twenty are found there.' He answered, 'For the sake of twenty I will not
destroy it.'"
Abraham
continues to advocate on behalf of the righteous, suggesting the possibility of
twenty righteous people in the city. The Lord affirms that He would spare the
city for the sake of twenty righteous individuals.
Verse
32: "Then he said, 'Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again
but this once. Suppose ten are found there.' He answered, 'For the sake of ten
I will not destroy it.'"
Abraham
makes his final plea, proposing the smallest number yet. He asks if there were
only ten righteous individuals in the city, would the Lord still destroy it.
The Lord responds that He would spare the city for the sake of ten righteous
people.
Verse
33: "And the LORD went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham,
and Abraham returned to his place."
After
concluding their conversation, the Lord departs from Abraham, signifying the
end of their dialogue. Abraham returns to his place, having presented his plea
and received the Lord's responses.
Important Points
Divine
visitation: The chapter begins with the Lord appearing
to Abraham near the oaks of Mamre. Abraham's encounter with the three visitors,
who turn out to be angels, showcases divine visitation and hospitality.
Promise
of a son: The visitors inform Abraham and Sarah that they will
have a son, despite their old age and Sarah's barrenness. Sarah initially
laughs in disbelief, but the Lord affirms His promise.
Intercession
for Sodom and Gomorrah: Abraham engages in a dialogue with the
Lord, pleading for the righteous in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. He
questions whether the Lord would destroy the righteous along with the wicked,
and negotiates with Him to spare the cities for the sake of a few righteous
individuals.
The
nature of God: Abraham's intercession highlights the
righteousness and justice of God. He acknowledges God as the Judge of all the
earth who should do what is just.
The
concept of righteousness: The chapter emphasizes the importance
of righteousness and its significance in the eyes of God. Abraham's concern for
the righteous in Sodom and Gomorrah demonstrates his understanding of the value
of righteous individuals.
God's
willingness to listen: The conversation between Abraham and
the Lord demonstrates God's willingness to engage in dialogue and listen to the
pleas and concerns of His people. Abraham's boldness in intercession showcases
the intimacy of his relationship with God.
God's
patience and mercy: Despite the wickedness of Sodom and
Gomorrah, the Lord shows patience and mercy in considering Abraham's requests
to spare the cities for the sake of the righteous.
The
fulfillment of prophecy: The chapter reaffirms the promise of a
son to Abraham and Sarah, further establishing the fulfillment of God's covenant
with Abraham.
Abraham's
faith and trust: Abraham's response to the visitors and his
intercession for the cities demonstrate his faith, trust, and compassion
towards others. He demonstrates his belief in God's ability to execute justice
and His willingness to listen to His servants.
Sarah's
involvement: Sarah plays a role in the chapter by
overhearing the visitors' conversation and expressing doubt, leading to her
eventual realization of the power and faithfulness of God's promises.
These
important points collectively depict the divine visitation, the promise of a
son, the concept of righteousness, intercession, and the attributes of
God—mercy, justice, patience, and faithfulness—alongside the portrayal of
Abraham and Sarah's faith and trust.
Quotable Quotes
"Is
anything too hard for the Lord?" - Genesis 18:14
"Shall
not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?" -
Genesis 18:25
"For
I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him
to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the
Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him." -
Genesis 18:19
"If
I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for
their sake." - Genesis 18:26
"Far
be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the
wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall
not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?" -
Genesis 18:25
"Oh
let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak. Suppose thirty are found
there." - Genesis 18:30
"For
the sake of ten I will not destroy it." - Genesis 18:32
These
quotes capture the faith, trust, and righteous concerns expressed by Abraham in
his dialogue with the Lord. They highlight the power, justice, and mercy of
God, as well as the intercession and boldness of Abraham in his plea for the
righteous.
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