The Lord comes to us even when we don’t expect or recognize it. As our story begins, we are told it is the Lord, but I don’t think Abraham understood this immediately. Abraham knew there was something different about these three visitors, but as the visit progressed, he realized that it was a visit from God.
Genesis 18:1 The Lord appeared again to Abraham near the oak grove belonging to Mamre. One day Abraham was sitting at the entrance to his tent during the hottest part of the day. 2 He looked up and noticed three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran to meet them and welcomed them, bowing low to the ground.
3 “My lord,” he said, “if it pleases you, stop here for a while.[1]
An Unusual Visit
In the hot, arid climate of the Middle East, the heat of the day is a period of rest. There was no air conditioning, and Abraham was sitting in the shade of his tent, probably trying to catch a bit of breeze. The three appear as three men. Two of these were angels, as we see at the beginning of Genesis 19. The third was God in human form, also known as a theophany. More than likely, it was the preincarnate Jesus.
This would have been the same divine personage that appeared to Hagar when she was running away from Sarai in Genesis 16. There, Hagar realized that God did see and hear. We see the same traits here with Abraham and Sarah.
Why a personal visit? God certainly could have given the information in a dream or a visit. This personal communication underscores the relationship between God and Abraham. It was a personal, covenantal relationship where a meal was shared. Eating together was important when confirming a covenant.
God Continues to Visit Us
God intervened in human history by sending Jesus to pay the price for our sins. Romans 5: 6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.[2] Not only did God send Jesus, but He also calls us into saving faith. Jesus Himself told us this. John 6: 44 For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up.[3]
Just as Abraham shared a meal to confirm the covenantal promises of God, we share communion. Matthew 26: 26 As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take this and eat it, for this is my body.”
27 And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “Each of you drink from it, 28 for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.[4]
God desires a personal relationship with each of us today. We can choose to refuse it or receive it. The Lord comes to us even when we don’t immediately recognize it is Him. He desires to intervene in your life. To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/laughter-and-doubt
[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.