The LORD appeared to Abraham…
Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby.
So apparently God shows up with a couple angels, but they’re all decked out in their human forms and just look like regular old men.
When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by.
He didn’t just wait for them, but got up and went out to meet them, bowing low and humbling himself. Also, it’s not “LORD” but just “lord.” They still appear to just be human travelers, but as a good host, he puts them above himself and serves them. Now, one day Jesus is going to come, and explain what it means to serve others, and all that good stuff, but right here we see Abraham already doing this exact thing. In spite of all his wealth, and plenty of servants he could have had take care of his visitors, he does it himself. HE calls for the “fine flour,” and has Sarah take charge of that. HE runs out to pick a “choice, tender, calf.” And while he has a servant help prepare the food, HE brings it out to his guests. Servants are expected to serve, but Abraham and Sarah take the opportunity to do the unexpected, and be the servants themselves.
Then the LORD said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.”
Well this is just review for Abraham, and if he hasn’t figured it out yet, now it’s clear that these aren’t just ordinary travelers, but that it is actually the LORD. However, apparently he never told Sarah about this promise, and as she overhears, she laughs to herself as Abraham did earlier.
Then the LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?”
There doesn’t seem to be any real reason for God to tell Abraham what’s about to happen, but just because he feels like it, he lets Abraham in on the secret: Sodom and Gomorrah are about to be judged for their sin. Now most people would probably think this was pretty cool, that a wicked city was getting its dues, but Abraham instead begins to plead for mercy on behalf of any righteous people that might actually be there. From 50, to 45, to 40, to 30, to 20, and then to 10, Abraham bargains with God over the number of people it would take to save the entire city. And while Abraham remains reverent, he also insists on being heard.
Then Abraham approached him and said: “Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked?”
“Now that I have been so bold…what if…”
Once again he spoke to him, “What if…”
“May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak. What if…”
“Now that I have been so bold…what if…”
“May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if…”
Now, I know we all love our “God, if it’s your will…” prayers, but that’s not what’s in Abraham’s mind. Obviously God doesn’t have to listen to him, and will judge the city as he has decided, but that doesn’t stop Abraham from fighting for it. And he doesn’t just sheepishly ask God, “Uh, God, if it’s your will, spare that city.” Instead, he comes with confidence and declares “Far be it from you to do such a thing – to kill the righteous with the wicked…” You don’t want to do this God. Think about it for while. What if there are some righteous people living there? You wouldn’t kill them over this.
Maybe it’s just me, but do you hear how ridiculous this sounds? This old man is standing here questioning the creator of the universe, and begging for mercy over some city that is drowning itself in sin. Hey Abraham, that’s God. He knows everything. You really think you’re going to make him change his mind? For that matter, aren’t you afraid if you keep poking him with questions that he might just squash you? But God doesn’t squash him. He just listens. And takes Abraham’s words into consideration. And agrees to spare the city on behalf of just 10 righteous men, if they can be found.
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