ABRAHAM SERIES: THE SECRET KEEPER AND INTERCESSOR

In Genesis 17, God met with Abraham, changed his name and Sarah’s name, and revealed to Abraham that Sarah would bear a son to their union within a year. You would have thought Abraham would be so excited that he would immediately tell his wife, who had been barren during their lengthy marriage, that her heart’s desire was about to come to pass. Still, he did not disclose this important information to her.

Therefore, I believe God made a visit to Abraham’s lodging so Sarah could receive this glad tidings. Thus, Genesis 18 opens with God appearing to Abraham while he sat at the entrance of his tent in Mamre. Abraham saw three men standing in front of him, and he ran to meet them, inviting them to rest at his house while he extended Bedouin hospitality to them.

With the acceptance of his hospitality, Abraham requested Sarah to make three cakes of fine meal, while he had a young man prepare a tender calf. When all was prepared, Abraham gave the men butter, milk, and the dressed calf, which they ate while Abraham stood by them.

The question was asked, “Where is Sarah thy wife?” and Abraham told them Sarah was in the tent. The Lord then spoke of the birth of a son by Sarah, and Sarah, who heard what was spoken, laughed. Sarah was menopausal, and she believed that at this point in their lives, she and Abraham were incapable of conceiving. Hearing her laughter, God questioned Abraham concerning it and said, “Is any thing too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.” Scared Sarah denied that she laughed; however, God rebuked her for doing so

As the men prepared to leave, the Lord pondered His relationship with Abraham, who he would become, and how his life and teachings would affect his descendants and nations. Then the Lord revealed to Abraham the possible demise of Sodom and Gomorrah for their grievous sins, and knowing this was where his nephew and family lived, Abraham interceded on their behalf.

Abraham asked, “Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked, as he requested the cities be saved for the sake of fifty righteous individuals, then forty-five, then forty, then thirty, then twenty, and finally ten. God continuously replied positively to each of these numbers and concluded with the last amount Abraham requested, “I will not destroy it for ten’s sake.” The chapter ends with God departing from Abraham and Abraham returning home.

Biblically, the only recorded communication between Sarah and God in the Bible was when she lied to Him, and God reproved her.

Here are the nuggets I gleaned from this chapter:

Be hospitable to strangers, unbeknownst to you, you may be entertaining angels.

Be willing to serve others with the best version of yourself.

No matter your age, God can work miracles in your life.

Your feelings do not alter God’s promises.

God does judge man according to their sins.

Your prayers can save a city.

In His kindness and mercy, God will spare the ungodly to save the lives of the righteous.