“And the Lord went His way, as soon as He had ceased talking with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.” Genesis 18:33
Dear Ones:
In Genesis 18, we find Abraham seated in the door of his tent “in the heat of the day.” We do not know exactly what time this was, but it was certainly the right time for the Lord to come, accompanied by two angels. What is stirring about the beginning of the story is that Abraham, ninety-nine years old, recognizes the Lord, RUNS to Him, and “…bows himself toward the ground.” (v.2) Then there is the desire to receive the Lord as his most honored guest by preparing a meal for Him, and the two men with him. We then see the Lord deal with Abraham concerning two matters, both of which Abraham was probably not thinking. He speaks to him of the birth of his heir, of Isaac, who was to be born in about a year. To grasp the reality and significance of this declaration required a great deal of faith in the faithfulness of God, for Sarah, his wife was beyond child-bearing years, and Abraham was a very old man. The second matter had to do with the spiritual, and moral condition, of Sodom and Gomorrah. He sent the two men who were accompanying Him to Sodom, partly to confirm to all that would read this account concerning the veracity of the debauchery and godlessness of its inhabitants. But also, He sent the men/angels to save Lot and his family from the impending destruction. Right in the middle of both of these most different, and extreme (from a human standpoint) initiatives by God stands a man with whom God not only chooses to reveal Himself, but to have fellowship, communion with him.
When God revealed His will concerning the gift, the birth of Isaac, He asked Abraham the question: “Is any thing too hard for the Lord?” (18:14) In God’s dealings with Abraham, he told him something that was impossible to believe apart from a promise, the promise being based upon the faithful, sovereignty of God. “At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.” With regard to Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham knew that God intended to destroy the two cities. He also knew that Lot and his family were living there. It is at this point that Abraham intercedes for the “righteous.” Declaring that he is but “dust and ashes” compared to the Lord, he intercedes until he believes he can go no further. But the Lord Jesus did not turn him away, or disregard his intercession. He will save Lot and his family. What is it that we are to learn from this meeting “in the heat of the day?”
God in Christ, by His Spirit, “comes” at unexpected times. We are ever to be attentive to His promptings. Secondly, the great call in dealing with Abraham, in communion with him, is to bring this man to an ever-deepening faith regard to all that concerns life. And thirdly, the meeting is for us, to reveal that God desires, and wills to have fellowship with us, IF we are available, attentive, and receptive. Abraham, at ninety-nine years old, when he saw the Lord, RAN! Are we this attentive and responsive?
Dear Father, we cannot thank Thee enough for Your desire and will to have fellowship with us, to commune, to talk with, and to instruct us. Give us attentive, expectant hearts, which are looking for, and waiting upon Thee. And give us to be like Abraham, who in compassion interceded for those he loved, and for those who were, and are lost. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad