Genesis 18: 1 – 33
I know what you are thinking
18 Then the LORD appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre, as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day. 2 So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground, 3 and said, “My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant. 4 Please let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. 5 And I will bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh your hearts. After that you may pass by, inasmuch as you have come to your servant.” They said, “Do as you have said.” 6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quickly, make ready three measures of fine meal; knead it and make cakes.” 7 And Abraham ran to the herd, took a tender and good calf, gave it to a young man, and he hastened to prepare it. 8 So he took butter and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree as they ate. 9 Then they said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” So he said, “Here, in the tent.” 10 And He said, “I will certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son.” (Sarah was listening in the tent door which was behind him.) 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in age; and Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. 12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, “After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?” 13 And the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I surely bear a child, since I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.” 15 But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. And He said, “No, but you did laugh!” 16 Then the men rose from there and looked toward Sodom, and Abraham went with them to send them on the way. 17 And the LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing, 18 since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? 19 For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice, that the LORD may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.” 20 And the LORD said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grave, 21 I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry against it that has come to Me; and if not, I will know.” 22 Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the LORD. 23 And Abraham came near and said, “Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked? 24 Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city; would You also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it? 25 Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” 26 So the LORD said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.” 27 Then Abraham answered and said, “Indeed now, I who am but dust and ashes have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord: 28 Suppose there were five less than the fifty righteous; would You destroy all of the city for lack of five?” So He said, “If I find there forty-five, I will not destroy it.” 29 And he spoke to Him yet again and said, “Suppose there should be forty found there?” So He said, “I will not do it for the sake of forty.” 30 Then he said, “Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Suppose thirty should be found there?” So He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.” 31 And he said, “Indeed now, I have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord: Suppose twenty should be found there?” So He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of twenty.” 32 Then he said, “Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak but once more: Suppose ten should be found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of ten.” 33 So the LORD went His way as soon as He had finished speaking with Abraham; and Abraham returned to his place.
I read once that we have an outer self (what we present to the world) and an inner self (what we present to ourselves) and a “secret” self (what we don’t always admit, but what we do actually think, plot and desire in the quiet of our mind).
It’s scary to imagine this secret self. Why is it there? How much does it influence us?
What’s scarier still is to think no one knows the secret self besides us. To think no one else can hear the thoughts or the true feelings that swirl around in our hearts–especially when we linger in them.
The truth is that Someone already knows our secret thoughts.
God knows what’s in our hearts. He hears and sees all, so he is right there with the “secret self” during the thoughts, plans, reactions and more.
But that’s not a bad thing; if it’s true that whatever is in your heart determines what you say (Matthew 12:34), then we realize just how much we need God to be in that place with us.
David prayed for a pure heart. He was on to something.
In the beginning, God knew.
The LORD observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. (Genesis 6:5)
In human form, God knew.
Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts?”(Mark 2:8)
So what’s in your heart?
It’s easy for us to see what’s in our heart and the heart of others by simply observing. Granted, we’re human, so we have our moments, but what we want to ponder is this: Is it a moment or is it a lifestyle?
Not only does God see what’s in our heart, but also, with the right kind of sight, others can see it too.
A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart. (Luke 5:45)
We’re not alone in our secrets. God knows all. It’s just a matter of time before we turn to him in those dark rooms and ask for him to enter. That’s when lives change.
Today we are going to see this position in actuality. Our Holy God promised Sarah and Abraham a son. He personally in going to make a visitation where both Abraham and Sarah will see Him where He Is again going to tell them that a child will be born to them in their old age.
Upon hearing the Lord’s words Sarah in the deep recess of her thoughts laughs at such a preposterous suggestion. Our Holy Creator Is going to challenge Sarah’s secret thoughts and asks Abraham why would Sarah laugh at God’s promise. Sarah immediately will respond that she did not laugh? A question for you to consider is did she or did she not laugh? I will give you my thoughts regarding this interaction shortly but for now let us jump right into our study.
18 Then the LORD appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre, as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day.
It is clear that the site at the oaks of Mamre was the permanent site from which Abraham set up his tents.
I like the three seasons. No I am not making a mistake by not saying the four season’s musical group. I am talking about spring, summer, and fall. I am not a fan of winter. Some people say that they prefer the winter because they can always get warm. I think just the opposite; you can always get refreshed in the hot weather by sitting under a tree or canopy or in the case of Abraham sitting in the shade of his tent.
I really love our Precious Holy Spirit. His Wisdom is amazing to me as I study His Word. In many cases He places gold nuggets of His superior insight for our benefit and learning. Here is such a precious jewel. There is a deliberate contrast between Abraham who sits in the door of his tent, and Lot who sits in the gate of Sodom (19.1), bringing out the choices the two men have made.
Think on this point - ‘YHWH appeared to him’. Suppose this same amazing experience happened to you? You walk out on your back porch and there before your very eyes are three men. Amazing you come to discover that in your very eyesight is Almighty God in Person.
2 So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground,
So who are the three men? Are they all angels? Is our Holy God Yahweh there with two of His angels?. In chapter 19 we see that the other two are angels. Later on this chapter we know that One Was our The Lord God because Abraham acknowledges that He Is Lord of all the earth.
3 and said, “My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant. 4 Please let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. 5 And I will bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh your hearts. After that you may pass by, inasmuch as you have come to your servant.” They said, “Do as you have said.”
What would your response be if our Holy God showed up in Person? Your natural desire is to somehow do something pleasing for Him. Abraham’s total concern is for their welfare. He wants them to ‘Rest under a tree’ and to let them fell cool and refreshed by ‘Washing their feet’. To a large degree he doesn’t want them to leave. Would you?
6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quickly, make ready three measures of fine meal; knead it and make cakes.” 7 And Abraham ran to the herd, took a tender and good calf, gave it to a young man, and he hastened to prepare it. 8 So he took butter and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree as they ate.
That Abraham took charge of the proceedings demonstrates both his hospitality and the importance he placed on the guests. It is humorous that Abraham’s humble ‘morsel of bread’ has in fact become a feast.
9 Then they said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” So he said, “Here, in the tent.”
We see here the main purpose of the coming of YHWH Himself is the confirmation of the covenant in respect of a son by Sarah, and, as we learn later, to give Abraham opportunity to intercede on behalf of any righteous people in the guilty cities.
10 And He said, “I will certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son.” (Sarah was listening in the tent door which was behind him.)
This is the moment when YHWH speaks. When the season comes round’ possibly means ‘when the conception matures into birth’, indicating that the child is already conceived.
11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in age; and Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. 12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, “After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?”
Sarah was possibly hidden behind the tent door listening in to what was said, or alternatively is standing in the tent door, visible but discreet, ready to watch over any further needs of the visitors. The writer then makes clear that nature had caught up with Sarah. Her periods had ceased. The birth of a son was now seemingly impossible.
The words she overhears make Sarah laugh to herself. The idea is preposterous. The pleasure refers to the pleasure of birth, the joy when a child comes into the world. Her laugh is a mark of unbelief. The promises previously given have been quite clear.
13 And the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I surely bear a child, since I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.”
So the question I had brought up in the beginning of this study is ‘did Sarah laugh or not laugh? If she did laugh then she is lying to God. My answer is that she did and did not laugh therefore she did not necessarily lie.
Nothing is hidden from God. He knew that Sarah had laughed inwardly. The laugh, and the thought of the heart, is discerned. And it is answered. ‘Is anything too hard for YHWH?’ YHWH can do anything. The universality of this statement at this time is remarkable. YHWH is seen as supreme and all powerful.
15 But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. And He said, “No, but you did laugh!”
As I mentioned our Holy God knows our very thoughts. He knew that Sarah laughed in her secret chamber of thoughts. Yet in truth also Sarah did not laugh out loud. She did not put two and two together that God considers what we think as also reality. The Bible says in the book of Hebrews chapter 4 this, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Sarah was now afraid. A cold chill seizes her heart. Her fear arises from the fact that the man knows her thoughts, and that what she had done was a breach of etiquette. It is stressed by the fact that she interrupts the men in conversation, another breach of etiquette, for she is not sitting with them. But she is becoming aware that the One Who is speaking has the power so to speak and the power to punish. She tries to cover up her failure. But she cannot deceive God, nor can we.
The words appear a little harsh. But God wants her to know that nothing is hidden from Him. And He wants her to face up to her unbelief. It will be better for her if she does.
16 Then the men rose from there and looked toward Sodom, and Abraham went with them to send them on the way.
Don’t forget that Abram does not know what is about to happen. The men looking toward Sodom would only indicate to Abraham that it was the direction in which they were going. We know though that the final purpose of their arrival is to bring judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah for their evil ways.
17 And the LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing,
This is probably the time at which Abraham now realizes that something was going to happen to Sodom. Nothing could more reveal the importance of Abraham in the purposes of God than this stated intention of YHWH. Abraham is so involved in God’s plan for the future of the world that he is deserving of knowing what God will do. God has, as it were, taken Abraham into partnership, albeit as a very junior partner. God does not hide His secrets from His prophets (Amos 3.7), and as chapter 15 has made clear, Abram is a prophet.
18 since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? 19 For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice, that the LORD may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.” 20 And the LORD said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grave,
The fact that YHWH comes to inform Abraham of what He is about to do, and that He allows him to be an intercessor (one who goes between) emphasizes Abraham’s unique position in God’s sight. As the beginning of the new people of God he is introduced to God’s secrets, and given his first opportunity to influence wider events through intercession.
The cry of those who have suffered in Sodom and Gomorrah, like the cry of Abel’s blood (4.10), has reached God. It is the cry of the land itself as it swallowed up their blood and has witnessed extreme sin beyond the imagination of men (‘its cry’). As the next chapter makes clear no stranger was safe in their streets, no woman could preserve her virtue. They had become utterly bestial.
We have learned earlier that the iniquity of the Amorite was not yet full (15.16). It is clear, however, that the iniquity of the men of Sodom is full, such were their evil ways. Thus this stands as a forewarning to Canaan to mend their evil ways.
21 I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry against it that has come to Me; and if not, I will know.”
Our Holy God Is of course aware of the truth. That is why He has come. But He wants Abraham to be aware of what is about to happen before it happens. Thus will he be able to intercede in such a way as to deliver his nephew and any other righteous men and thus will he and his people learn the lesson that will result from the appalling event to come. It is for Abraham’s sake that the delay has taken place.
But God also wants Abraham to know that He gave Sodom and Gomorrah every chance. He is concerned for Abraham to know the full truth about the situation so that he will be satisfied that YHWH has done what is right.
In a sense this is a microcosm of the great Day of Judgment. Again God will already know everything, but the Day is necessary so as to confirm to all beings that God has dealt justly.
22 Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the LORD.
It is a sign of Abraham’s worth that he is concerned for his neighbors, and willing even to risk the displeasure of YHWH in order to help them. Even while they go towards Sodom, Abraham pleads for Sodom as he stands on the mountainside looking down on the cities of the Plain before him. For as he looks down on the doomed cities, how can he fail to be stirred?
23 And Abraham came near and said, “Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked? 24 Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city; would You also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it? 25 Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?”
Although unaware of it the one who is being tested here is Abraham. Will he be concerned for his neighbors who are outside the covenant? But Abraham reveals that he has the right instinct and an understanding of God’s character. He knows that God is merciful and will not be unfair in His behavior towards men. Thus he makes this the basis of his plea. Can a righteous God destroy fifty righteous men in order to bring His judgment on the remainder? Never, says Abraham, it is impossible. Surely He Who Is the judge of all the earth must do what is right. Only the guilty must suffer. The righteous cannot be treated in the same way as the wicked.
It is telling that Abraham nowhere tries to plead that Sodom as a whole is not worthy of the punishment they are to receive. He is too well aware of what goes on there. But he cannot believe that there are not some who deserve mercy
It is significant that Abraham sees YHWH as judge of all the earth. To him there is but one God Who Is over all. But equally significant is his confidence in the ethical nature of God. He knows God must do what is right, that He is unfailingly a righteous God. It is to his credit that his concern is not just for Lot. His concern is for Sodom as a whole..
26 So the LORD said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.”
YHWH confirms Abraham’s faith in His justice. If there are fifty righteous within the city all will be spared lest the fifty righteous be thought to be unfairly dealt with.
27 Then Abraham answered and said, “Indeed now, I who am but dust and ashes have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord: 28 Suppose there were five less than the fifty righteous; would You destroy all of the city for lack of five?” So He said, “If I find there forty-five, I will not destroy it.”
Abraham is aware of his boldness in speaking up and abases himself to YHWH. For ‘dust and ashes’, a token of unfitness and unworthiness. But it is noticeable that here he refers to YHWH as ‘the Lord’. He is the Sovereign Lord, Lord of Creation, Lord of Egypt, Lord of Sodom, Lord of Abraham, Lord and Judge of all. Who then is he, Abraham, to dare to question him? There is nothing brazen about Abraham’s response. He recognizes with Whom he deals. The title used emphasizes this. It suggests the approach of a suppliant to one who judges. Abraham is not approaching Him as YHWH the covenant God, for Sodom is not within the covenant, but as ‘the Lord’, the One Who is over all.
29 And he spoke to Him yet again and said, “Suppose there should be forty found there?” So He said, “I will not do it for the sake of forty.” 30 Then he said, “Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Suppose thirty should be found there?” So He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.” 31 And he said, “Indeed now, I have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord: Suppose twenty should be found there?” So He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of twenty.” 32 Then he said, “Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak but once more: Suppose ten should be found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of ten.”
Again YHWH accepts the principle. If there are any grounds for mercy He will show it.
Each request of Abraham, torn in his heart as he looks down on Sodom and considers its fate, receives a similar response, until even Abraham is satisfied. He dare go no further. Surely there must be ten there? If not they can deserve no mercy. Some have questioned stopping at ten. But ten represents at the most two families. If there is only one family that is not unrighteous, and that composed of sojourners, (and Abraham is aware of that one family), he knows there can be no plea. Sodom deserves its fate.
The whole passage is important. It emphasizes God’s justice in dealing with Sodom as He does. God does not want to destroy but He has no alternative. Abraham’s very plea finally demonstrates that it has gone beyond the possibility of redemption. One day God will have to make the same decision about the world. At present God deals with the world on the same basis, sparing the many for the sake of the few. But one day He will call time. Then He will take out the few and His judgment will come.
But Abraham’s request is satisfied in one way. While the Lord will not spare the city he will save ‘the righteous’. The next passage reveals this in the deliverance of Lot. Yet Lot is only righteous in that he has not gone beyond the borders of acceptability. He has sat in the gate of Sodom, sharing its environment and even possibly its rule as a city elder. He has condoned the behavior of the people of Sodom by his silence. He has remained among them in spite of their behavior, not in order to evangelize them but in order to share their wealth.
Would then the Lord have destroyed Lot with the city had it not been for Abraham? The question requires no answer. YHWH knows that His servant Abraham will not fail the test (the test is for Abraham’s sake). He has thus purposed to save Lot, undeserving though he is. The question is not the deliverance of Lot but the destiny of Sodom.
33 So the LORD went His way as soon as He had finished speaking with Abraham; and Abraham returned to his place.
We see finally the words ‘And Abraham returned to his place.’ His place is in the land where God has placed him. He has no desire to be in Sodom. And he is satisfied that he has done all that he can for Sodom, and that God will do what is right. Now he can only wait and see.
