0 - Bible Commentary | Karuna Sadan

Who were the three men who visited Abraham in Genesis 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. (Genesis 18:1-3)

Abraham extended instant courtesy to the three men, asking them to rest beneath a tree and prepared lunch for them.

Some have suggested that all three of these “men” were angelic beings who appeared to Abraham in the form of men. However, Genesis 18:1 says that it was “the LORD” (Yahweh) who appeared to Abraham.

One of the three “men” was God Almighty taking on the appearance of a man. We call such an appearance a “theophany.” (from Greek Theophania, “appearance of God”). When Lord Jesus appears in His pre-incarnate body in the Old Testament, we call it a “Christophany.” In Genesis 19:1, the two men are explicitly called “the two angels”

How did Abraham know that it was God?

Because the LORD had spoken and/or appeared to Abraham many times previously, Abraham was well acquainted with Him and would have easily recognised Him. Those appearances include the following occasions:

• when God first called him (Genesis 12:1–3)

• when Abraham parted ways with Lot (Genesis 13:14–17)

• possibly when he met Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18–20)

• when God made a covenant with him (Genesis 15)

• when God restated His covenant (Genesis 17)

Because we don't always know who we're talking to, we should treat everyone as though they are on an unique mission from God. "Do not neglect to extend hospitality to strangers," says Hebrews 13:2, "because by doing so, some people have provided hospitality to angels without even realising it."

But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. (Genesis 18:15)

The Bible says, Sarah was afraid. Many people do not speak the truth out of fear.

What can we learn from the Intercession of Abraham?

An intercessor takes the place of another, or pleads another's case. One Bible example is Abraham's intercession for two cities—Sodom and Gomorrah. Read that account in Genesis 18:22-32

Consider the terrible sins that existed in Sodom—yet God said He would spare the whole place for ten people's sake. This world would have long been destroyed if it were not for us Christians. Jesus said, "You are the salt of the earth" (Matthew 5:13).

Abraham didn't sit around and talk about how wicked they were and how they were all going to hell. He interceded on their behalf!

And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads. (Ezekiel 22:30-31)

This is God talking. Abraham interceded for two cities. Here God is talking about an entire nation. If He could have found one man who would have stood in the gap, who would have interceded on behalf of the nation, judgment would not have come.

Chapter 18