Genesis Bible Study notes- Chapter 18

1/18/2012

Chapter 18-

-The LORD appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre. Three men appeared before Abraham and he welcomed them with homage and choice food prepared by his wife Sarah and his servant.

-These men brought the news of Sarah having a son by the same time next year. Sarah was listening at the tent door and laughed to herself because of her advanced age. The LORD’s response, “Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son (Genesis 18:14).” A thought that crossed my mind as I meditated on this particular verse, and it has really nothing to do with the context, but is true none the less. Absolutely nothing is too hard for the LORD to handle, and His will is going to be accomplished here on the earth. My thoughts drifted to His second coming. At the appointed time He will return to this earth and it won’t be difficult (2 Peter 3:3-13). We should never doubt His promises, but rather look in expectation for His glory revealed.

-Sarah denied laughing, a lie, but God knew. Human nature is shown here in Sarah. When we are busted, our first instinct is to deny any wrong doing. But God always knows (Numbers 32:23). It is best to confess.

-The plot switches to the issue of Sodom and Gomorrah and what the LORD is about to do to these exceedingly wicked cities. The LORD concludes that Abraham is worthy of knowing what is going to happen since he will become a great and mighty nation, which will be a blessing to all the nations of the earth, a chosen person for the purpose of commanding “his children and household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice (Genesis 18:18-19).”

-God is going to check things out there in these wicked cities; although He in His omniscience already has perfect understanding of their standing before Him. Abraham speaks and bargains with the LORD on behalf of these cities, no doubt with his nephew Lot in mind. Abraham appeals to the LORD’s justice as Judge of the universe in this matter to preserve the righteous. He talks the LORD down to the point that only ten righteous need to be found in order to save Sodom from destruction. At this juncture the LORD departed and Abraham returned to his place.

Verse to Memorize: Genesis 18:14