Genesis:18

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* Verse 1-8 - Abraham was waiting to entertain any weary traveller , for inns were not to be met with as among us . While Abraham was thus sitting , he saw three men coming . These were three heavenly beings in human bodies . Some think they were all created angels ; others , that one of them was the Son of God , the Angel of the covenant . Washing the feet is customary in those hot climates , where only sandals are worn . We should not be forgetful to entertain strangers , for thereby some have entertained angels unawares , Hebrews strkjv @13:2 . nay , the Lord of angels himself ; as we always do , when for his sake we entertain the least of his brethren . Cheerful and obliging manners in showing kindness , are great ornaments to piety . Though our condescending Lord vouchsafes not personal visits to us , yet still by his Spirit he stands at the door and knocks ; when we are inclined to open , he deigns to enter ; and by his gracious consolations he provides a rich feast , of which we partake with him , Revelation strkjv @3:20 . * Verse 9-15 - Where is Sarah thy wife ? was asked . Note the answer , In the tent . Just at hand , in her proper place , occupied in her household concerns . There is nothing got by gadding . Those are most likely to receive comfort from God and his promises , who are in their proper place , and in the way of their duty , Luke strkjv @2:8 . We are slow of heart to believe , and need line upon line to the same purport . The blessings others have from common providence , believers have from the Divine promise , which makes them very sweet , and very sure . The spiritual seed of Abraham owe their life , and joy , and hope , and all , to the promise . Sarah thinks this too good news to be true ; she laughed , and therefore cannot as yet find in her heart to believe it . Sarah laughed . We might not have thought there was a difference between Sarah 's laughter and Abraham 's , ch . strkjv @17:17 . but He who searches the heart , saw that the one sprung from unbelief , and the other from faith . She denied that she had laughed . One sin commonly brings in another , and it is not likely we shall strictly keep to truth , when we question the Divine truth . But whom the Lord loves he will rebuke , convict , silence , and bring to repentance , and if they sin before him . * Verse 16-22 - The two who are supposed to have been created angels went toward Sodom . The one who is called Jehovah throughout the chapter , continued with Abraham , and would not hide from him the thing he intended to do . Though God long forbears with sinners , from which they fancy that the Lord does not see , and does not regard ; yet when the day of his wrath comes , he will look toward them . The Lord will give Abraham an opportunity to intercede with him , and shows him the reason of his conduct . Consider , as a very bright part of Abraham 's character and example , that he not only prayed with his family , but he was very careful to teach and rule them well . Those who expect family blessings must make conscience of family duty . Abraham did not fill their heads with matters of doubtful dispute ; but he taught them to be serious and devout in the worship of God , and to be honest in their dealings with all men . Of how few may such a character be given in our days ! How little care is taken by masters of families to ground those under them in the principles of religion ! Do we watch from sabbath to sabbath whether they go forward or backward ? * Verse 23-33 - Here is the first solemn prayer upon record in the Bible ; and it is a prayer for the sparing of Sodom . Abraham prayed earnestly that Sodom might be spared , if but a few righteous persons should be found in it . Come and learn from Abraham what compassion we should feel for sinners , and how earnestly we should pray for them . We see here that the effectual , fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much . Abraham , indeed , failed in his request for the whole place , but Lot was miraculously delivered . Be encouraged then to expect , by earnest prayer , the blessing of God upon your families , your friends , your neighbourhood . To this end you must not only pray , but you must live like Abraham . He knew the Judge of all the earth would do right . He does not plead that the wicked may be spared for their own sake , or because it would be severe to destroy them , but for the sake of the righteous who might be found among them . And righteousness only can be made a plea before God . How then did Christ make intercession for transgressors ? Not by blaming the Divine law , nor by alleging aught in extenuation or excuse of human guilt ; but by pleading HIS OWN obedience unto death . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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