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Scott's Reference Library
Genesis 18:1 through Genesis 18:10a (NIV)
Sunday Between July 17 and 23 (Proper 11) C (First Reading) July 19, 1998
1The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was
sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. 2Abraham looked up
and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the
entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.
3He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord,£ do not pass your
servant by. 4Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet
and rest under this tree. 5Let me get you something to eat, so you can be
refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant.”
“Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.”
6So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahs£
of fine flour and knead it and bake some bread.”
7Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a
servant, who hurried to prepare it. 8He then brought some curds and milk and the
calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood
near them under a tree.
9“Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him.
“There, in the tent,” he said.
10Then the LORD£ said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year,
and Sarah your wife will have a son.”
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
VERSES 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 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 3:20.
VERSES 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 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, vs. 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.