GENESIS CHAPTER EIGHTEEN OVERVIEW
Overall what is happening in this chapter is that God confirms His promise that Abraham will have a son – at which Sarah laughs. God disclosed to Abraham that He is about to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah.
Thomas Coke (1801) – Genesis 18
The Lord appears again to Abraham, and renews the promise of a son by Sarah. The destruction of Sodom is revealed to Abraham: he intercedes for that city, which God promises to spare, if ten righteous should be found in it.
Keil and Delitzsch (1891) – Genesis 18
Having been received into the covenant with God through the rite of circumcision, Abraham was shortly afterwards honored by being allowed to receive and entertain the Lord and two angels in his tent. This fresh manifestation of God had a double purpose, viz., to establish Sarah's faith in the promise that she should bear a son in her old age (see Genesis 18:1-15), and to announce the judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah (see Genesis 18:16-33).
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge (2010) – Genesis 18
Overview:
The Lord appears to Abraham, who entertains angels. Genesis 18:1
Sarah is reproved for laughing at the promise of a son. Genesis 18:9
The destruction of Sodom is revealed to Abraham. Genesis 18:16
Abraham makes intercession for the inhabitants. Genesis 18:23
Matthew Henry (1714) – Genesis 18
We have an account in this chapter of another interview between God and Abraham, probably within a few days after the former, as the reward of his cheerful obedience to the law of circumcision. Here is:
I. The kind visit which God made him, and the kind entertainment which he gave to that visit (Genesis 18:1-8).
II. The matters discoursed of between them.
1. The purposes of God's love concerning Sarah (Genesis 18:9-15).
2. The purposes of God's wrath concerning Sodom.
(a.) The discovery God made to Abraham of his design to destroy Sodom (Genesis 18:16-22).
(b.) The intercession Abraham made for Sodom (Genesis 18:23, etc.).
KEY VERSE
Genesis 18:32 Then he said, "Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once; suppose ten are found there?" And He said, "I will not destroy it on account of the ten."
KEY EVENT
Abraham entertains three visitors.
KEY THOUGHT
God allows Abraham to intercede for Sodom and Gomorrah. Though sin is to be hated, sinners are to be pitied and prayer for.
KEY CROSS-REFERENCE
Exodus 34:9 He said, "If now I have found favor in Your sight, O Lord, I pray, let the Lord go along in our midst, even though the people are so obstinate, and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us as Your own possession." (Intercessory Prayer)
KEY QUOTE
“If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our bodies. If they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees. Let no one go there unwarned and unprayed for.” - Charles Spurgeon
