It is with great delight that we learn important lessons from the life of Abraham. Let us spur one another to immersing ourselves in the Word before interacting with the world. “No Bible, No Breakfast” is a spiritual exercise that no Gogolight should take with levity. And we bless God for the riches of His Word that he loads us with every day.
1. HOSPITALITY: Revealing Abraham’s Big Heart
God spoke to Abraham several times, but He specifically appeared to him five times. This chapter is one of those occasions. And this time, with two angels. Abraham showed them good hospitality. So, let’s check out his hospitality.
A. The CONDUCT of Hospitality
We can learn lessons on how Abraham conducted himself while offering to entertain the three heavenly beings…
- The SPONTANEITY: he ran to meet them from the tent door… (v. 2) and Abraham hastened into the tent of Sarah… (v. 6) and Abraham ran unto the herd… (v. 7)
- The HUMILITY: bowed himself toward the ground… (v. 2)
- The GENEROSITY: pass not away… (v. 3) wash your feet, and rest yourselves… (v. 4) I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts… (v. 5)
B. The CONTRAST of Hospitality
As new covenant believers in GOG, we practise excellent grace giving through our Personal Financial Devotion (PFD). Abraham’s giving here is PFD at its best!
- Notice the DECISION:
It was personal… As he purposed in his heart. Abraham decided it, supervised the preparation, and served it by himself.
It was also proportional. His giving reflected God’s blessings in his life. He practised bountiful giving; he was not a “sparingly” giver.
- Notice the DISCRETION:
His giving was not grudgingly. Abraham did not give as a form of debt, but as a form of devotion. He did not give to impress, he gave to bless.
Also, his giving was not grievingly. Abraham did not focus on the stress, but the aroma he desires to produce with his sweet-smelling meal. He even stood while they ate! Wow.
- Notice the DEVOTION:
Abraham gave as though God was a spectator (actually, God was his Guest).
His PFD had:
- The VIRTUE code: He hurried and ran in the heat of the day. So much love!
- The VALUE code: He took a tender and good calf. Not out of what was left (leftovers). He was willing to give what was kept. So much worth!
- The VANTAGE code: He prepared a large meal. And his giving has been memorialized. So much surplus!
Learn PFD from Abraham!
C. The COMMENDATION of Hospitality
While we do not give in order to be blessed, we are also not ignorant of the truth that: “when we give, God blesses us.” (2Cor. 9:8) God blessed Abraham and Sarah by reaffirming His promise to them: “Sarah will have a child by this time next year!”
Genesis 18:9-10 And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent. And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.
The drama that happened here is worth our attention…
- Notice the DIFFICULTY:
Genesis 18:11 Abraham and Sarah were very old, and Sarah had stopped having her monthly periods. (GNT)
When Paul referred to this incident, he said that Sarah’s womb was dead (Rom. 4:18). God’s promise was naturally, biologically, and medically impossible!
- Notice the DOUBTING:
Genesis 18:12 So Sarah laughed to herself and said, “Now that I am old and worn out, can I still enjoy sex? And besides, my husband is old too.”
It was a natural response of the flesh. God’s promise makes no sense to the flesh. They were very old. She had stopped her monthly flows. Not just that, her sexual hormones had retired. So… What’s the point?
- Notice the DISCUSSION:
Genesis 18:13-15 Then the Lord asked Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Can I really have a child when I am so old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? As I said, nine months from now I will return, and Sarah will have a son.” Because Sarah was afraid, she denied it. “I didn’t laugh,” she said. “Yes, you did,” he replied. “You laughed.”
Really dramatic! One could only feel for Abraham as he watched his wife argue with the Lord. Smiles… Her doubts did not stop God’s promise. In fact, when God’s grace was to run a commentary on Sarah, we read:
Hebrews 11:11 By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised.
Ah! Grace Grace! Grace overruled her doubts and elevated her faith.
Thank you Jesus, for Your Grace upon my life!
2. INTERCESSION: Revealing Abraham’s Brave Heart
Genesis 18:16-17 Then the men left and went to a place where they could look down at Sodom, and Abraham went with them to send them on their way. And the Lord said to himself, “I will not hide from Abraham what I am going to do.
Oh… What a growth in grace that Abraham has experienced! He now enjoys so deep a communion with God, that God was willing to share His plans with him. “Abraham is my guy, let me show him my plans for Sodom and Gomorrah.”
A. The PREDICTION
Genesis 18:20-21 And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.
It was a great outcry against grievous sins. Their sins were so great that even the “righteous Lot” was oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men of Sodom (2Pet. 2:7).
B. The PETITION
Genesis 18:22-23 And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD. And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
Abraham “drew near”, taking the position of a “priest” to carry out the priestly duty of intercession. He started by appealing to the character of God — for God will never destroy the righteous with the wicked!
Abraham drew near in faith and fervency. He was persistent. While his intercession could not save the cities from destruction, God answered his prayers by rescuing the righteous Lot and his family from the destruction.
Dear Gogolights, our joy is in the truth that Jesus is our Advocate who lives forever to intercede for us! Hallelujah!
Grace to you, Church!
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