ABRAHAM

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ABRAHAM - FRIEND OF GOD AND FATHER OF FAITH
CHAPTER 8 - ABRAHAM’S SURPRISE VISITORS
GENESIS 18:1-15
We come to Abraham at a very peaceful, and relaxed time. It is the middle of the day. The sun is
high in the sky. Everyone in the camp has found a place to relax and escape the midday heat. It was
the Middle-Eastern “Siesta time.” But something happens to break up the relaxed scene, out of no
where some visitors arrive in the camp.
I. THE SUDDEN APPEARANCE OF THE LORD. Verses 1-5.
A. THE SURPRISE GUESTS AT ABRAHAM’S CAMP. Verses 1-3.
There is no question as to whom the primary visitor is. Verse one makes it very clear. It is the
LORD. This is a pre-incarnate appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ.
1. THE VISITOR’S SUDDEN ARRIVAL AT ABRAM’S CAMP.
Three men suddenly appear out of the wilderness.
2. THE VISIT FROM OUT OF NOWHERE.
This was a very unusual time for anyone to be traveling. It was not normal for anyone to be traveling
in the heat of the day, especially walking. They probably appeared at the edge of Abraham’s
encampment directly from heaven. These men received Abraham’s immediate interest.
3. THE HOST AND HIS HOSPITALITY.
Abraham jumps up and runs out to the men. I do not think this was the normal reaction for this one
hundred-year old man. It is doubtful that he did this every time someone approached the camp. As
Abraham looks at these three, something seems to make him realize that these were no normal men,
but that he had visitors from heaven in the camp. Note that he “bowed himself toward the
ground.”
He confesses: “my Lord, if now I have found favor in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee,
from thy servant.” (Genesis 18:3).
Abraham seeks the privilege of serving the Lord, “if I have found favor (or acceptance) in thy sight
allow me to be your servant.” (Paraphrase is the author’s invention)
B. THE KIND GESTURES OF ABRAHAM’S HOSPITALITY. Verses 4-8.
To some extent these are the actions of a good oriental host. He provides water to refresh, cool and
wash their feet. But there seems to be some extra attention and care given by Abraham to these
guests. What a pleasant scene is developing here. We can imagine the picture in our mind’s eye.
The three visitors are led to the shade of a tree and water is brought to them to wash the dust from
their feet cooling and refreshing them. As the guests make themselves comfortable in the shade,
Abraham goes on to offer the blessings of his home to them and desires to provide them some food
to sustain them on their journey. He receives permission from the leader to serve them: “so do, as