Gen. 18:1-31And the Lord appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; 2And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground, 3And said, My Lord, if now I have found favor in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant: (Genesis 18:1‑3)
“And the Lord appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; and he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground.” v 1-2.
Abraham’s pattern of life was marked not only by faithfulness in his own house but by consideration of others as well. On this occasion his hospitality to strangers was used of God as a means of conveying special news to him. It is perhaps with this narrative in mind that the inspired writer was led by the Spirit to say, “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Heb. 13:22Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. (Hebrews 13:2). To understand the groundwork of the disclosures to be given Abraham our notice is directed to certain things that prepared him to receive the special message.
First of all, he had pitched his tent in the plains of Mamre. It was to this place (near Hebron) that Abraham went after separating himself from Lot and it was here that he built ‘an altar to the Lord. It was also from Mamre that he went out to rescue his nephew from his difficulties. It is always a good thing to dwell in circumstances where communion with God will not be compromised by outside influences. Abraham’s altar speaks of that communion enjoyed by the believer walking close to the Lord.
Then it will be noted Abraham “sat in the tent door.” Although a rich man, Abraham sought no permanent dwelling place, but made his home in a tent—a picture of the believer living in expectation of moving on to his eternal home “prepared in the heavens,” a “city not made with hands.”
It is said of Abraham: “By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles (tents)... for he looked for a city which hath foundations whose builder and maker is God.” Heb. 11:9,109By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. (Hebrews 11:9‑10). Wasn’t that a lovely mark of faith in him? It helps us to understand Abraham’s readiness to hear God’s message. As he extended hospitality to the three strangers he soon discovered that they were not ordinary persons and that one of the three was distinguished from the others. Note how he addressed him “My Lord, if now I have found favor in Thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from Thy servant.” vs. 3.
The next chapter discloses that two of the visitors were angels and the other is referred to as the Lord Himself. Scripture does not enlighten us further on this miraculous appearance, but we can be certain that Abraham recognized the Person with whom he was emboldened to speak —a solemn and privileged experience for this man of faith. The believer today is invited to “come boldly unto the throne of grace” and to “draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith.” It was the sacrifice of the Lord on Calvary that opened this place to those who now are His through faith. Furthermore, when He returned to the Glory after His resurrection, the Holy Spirit was given to teach and exercise the hearts of all true believers.
ML 08/15/1965