Genesis 18 is a study
of contrast in the reality we deal with on a daily basis. We have Abraham
receiving three “men” (presumably strangers, at least in the beginning) not
necessarily because there was anything apparently special about these men but
because even in the ancient world, hospitality to strangers was a very big
deal. Because of our New Testament lens, however, we read into Abraham’s
reaction more than there may be initially because of his greeting; “My lord,
if I find favor with you (NRSV) …” It follows that Abraham wants to give
them respite as it was “in the heat of the day”. All is well as Abraham
and Sarah go about preparing a meal and serving these men. Of course we
know it follows there is clearly more to these “men” because Abraham is then
told that Sarah (previously known as “barren” and now known as “old”) will
conceive.
Then
these men set out from Abraham’s tent, the place of hospitality, and head
toward Sodom, the place of extreme inhospitality, due to the “outcry that has
come to Me” from those who suffer according to the “very grave sin”. The
Scriptures open up the gap between the two in stating that The Lord’s
determined judgment is not for Abraham is to be concerned with. Rather he
and his seed are charged with “doing righteousness and justice” (vs 19).
Yet
Abraham, once he is aware of what Sodom is about to face, does make it his
concern to intercede with The Lord on behalf of those who may get caught up in
the judgment that is coming. Some have suggested Abraham was concerned
only with Lot, his nephew. Though the text does not tell us this, we
insert it into the context because, frankly, this would likely be our own
concern! We would not care so much about those who may have it coming.
We
primarily concern ourselves with family and a few close friends. Though
this is not in itself a bad thing, we fail to understand the importance of
offering genuine hospitality to strangers, teaching our children of its
importance. Though it is written in Hebrews that these strangers
might be angels (13:2), we miss the greater point in hospitality that serves
for its own sake rather than for what we hope to personally gain from our
hospitality.
Watching
Abraham open his tent to these men, we see the ideal of a nation called forth;
a nation charged with the privilege and responsibility of “doing righteousness
and justice” which involves receiving strangers, and a “priestly” nation that
will provide intercession between Heaven and earth on behalf of those who
suffer from a lack of “righteousness and justice”. Sometimes our
intercession involves prayer when we realize the limits of our capacity, but
most times (I think) this intercession will necessarily involve our “doing”
righteousness and justice with our own hands – not just for kin but also for
neighbors whom we do not know.
Some
suggest we cannot always know our limits. I submit, however, that we
often fail to test our limits in a willingness to go out on a limb for those we
do not know and especially for those we do not like. Yet we see our
ancestor Abraham daring to go to extreme limits in trying to make a deal with
The Lord for strangers he does not know; and this after he has given up his
free time in favor of these men who showed up in the middle of the day.
In all things, the Divine Ideal is pushing self aside to serve The Lord and
“neighbor” – with hands and with prayers.
Though
this may not be who we actually are, it is the manifestation of what we are
called to be: a “priesthood of believers” charged with serving The Lord and our
neighbor in the name of The Lord. We must not question who is worthy of
our favor because the Ideal expressed by Messiah Jesus went to the cross “while
we were sinners”; completely unworthy of such consideration.
This
service to one another will not always be easy, but it is always
necessary. It is the Ideal which was in the beginning and will be in the
world to come. Today we decide where we want to fit in.
“Choose this day whom you will serve”. We must choose wisely ... and
choose daily.
Blessings,
Michael
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