Encounter with the Triune God

“And the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth” ESV

Good morning to you brother or sister in faith, it is my wish that you are blessed in Christ, have an excellent day and live for the Glory of God.

In Genesis 18, we meet Abraham, the father of faith, having an encounter with the Triune God. This chapter of the Bible, rich in theology and practical wisdom, offers us profound insights into the character of God and our relationship with Him. Here, we see the hospitality of Abraham, the promise of God, and the intercession of a righteous man. Let us journey together through these pivotal moments in the life of Abraham and glean from the lessons they offer.

Recognizing Our Place

In verse 8, we see Abraham serving his divine guests, then retiring to the shade of a tree while they ate. He did not presume to sit with them on an equal footing. Abraham recognized his place, showing humility and respect. He understood the magnitude of the presence he was in – the Lord Himself.

Can we fathom the depth of Abraham's humility? Are we aware of our own standing before God? Do we approach Him with the respect and reverence He deserves? As we ponder these questions, let us remember that even in our most intimate moments with God, we are in the presence of the Creator of the universe.

The God of the Impossible

Verse 14 confronts us with a powerful truth: "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" God's promise to Abraham and Sarah about the birth of Isaac seemed impossible. Sarah, well past her childbearing years, even laughed at the thought. Yet, God proved that nothing is beyond His power, not even Sarah's barrenness.

But this incident also highlights another profound reality: God is aware of our deepest thoughts. Sarah laughed to herself, yet God knew. What hidden doubts do we harbor in our hearts? Do we truly believe that God can do the impossible in our lives? The God of Abraham and Sarah is our God too, fully capable of performing miracles and aware of our deepest thoughts and feelings.

The Intercession of Abraham

Abraham's conversation with God in verse 23 reveals the heart of a man deeply concerned for the righteous living in Sodom. Abraham intercedes for them, revealing God's patience and justice. He doesn't destroy the righteous with the wicked, but distinguishes between the two.

But, did any righteous people live in Sodom? For whom was Abraham interceding? Could it be for Lot? Are we bold enough to intercede for others, even when their righteousness isn't apparent to us? Let this challenge us to be intercessors, standing in the gap for those around us.

Theological Reflection: The Intercession of Abraham as a Figure of Christ

In Abraham's intercession, we see a foreshadowing of Christ's intercessory role. Like Abraham, Jesus stood in the gap for us. He interceded for us before dying and continues to intercede for His chosen ones. The writer of Hebrews expounds on Christ's priestly role in chapter 8, assuring us that we have a high priest who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven.

Just as Abraham's intercession revealed God's discerning justice, Christ's intercession reveals God's mercy, grace, and love. Christ's intercession is for us, sinners saved by grace. It ensures our continual forgiveness and acceptance before God, despite our unworthiness.

In Genesis 18, we see the gospel in a nutshell: God's promise, our impossibility, God's provision, and Christ's intercession. It paints a picture of a God who comes down to meet with us, offering grace and salvation. As we meditate on these truths, let us be moved to awe, worship, and a deeper commitment to God.

Genesis 18 invites us to encounter the Triune God, to recognize our place before Him, trust in His promise, intercede for others, and rest in Christ's intercession for us. May these truths shape our walk with God, drawing us closer to Him each day.

Tim Keller once said: “For indeed, grace is the key to it all. It is not our lavish good deeds that procure salvation, but God's lavish love and mercy. That is why the poor are as acceptable before God as the rich. It is the generosity of God, the freeness of his salvation that lays the foundation for the society of justice for all.”

May God preserve your life in Christ Jesus, prosper you, guide you and build you up in his love and his truth.