A Divine Visit

A Divine Visit

~ Genesis 18: 1-15, ESV ~

Examining the life of Abraham helps us come to understand how we are inspired to trust in God. Through Abraham, we see a reflection of our own fears, anxieties, and doubts. Yet, it is through his persevering faith we find assurance and hope in our own lives. Abraham became the father of a great nation, and a blessing unto all of the world. How are we able to be a blessing unto our families, communities, and society? Let us examine the life of Abraham – a man like unto us.

 The LORD said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” The LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” 

~ Genesis 18:10-14, ESV ~

There are many differing interpretations of the identity of the three messengers that visited Abraham. One of the prominent interpretations holds that Yahweh (Yeshua/Yehovah/ YHWH) was one of the three messengers. The message they brought was God’s promise that Sarah may bare a son within a years time of this visit (see verse 10). A divine visitation concerning the coming fulfillment of a promised blessing. Abraham and Sarah’s wait for a child would become a reality.

As Christians, we may experience many blessed promises from God. In most situations, there is a period of waiting that requires our patience. Ask yourself:

1. How do we endure those times while awaiting upon the Lord?
2. How does God help us grow spiritually through this time?

What we understand, from scripture, is that Abraham was promised a son. In their twilight years, Sarah gave birth to Isaac. Through Abraham, and then through Isaac, the Lord established the Abrahamic Covenant. 

According to John Piper, at Desiring God, there are three distinct promises God made to Abraham. First, the promise of prosperity. The second involved Abraham’s faith in God’s promise to bring an heir into the world. The third promise is the legacy that generations who will come after Abraham will be able to partake of.

This latter part of the covenant points to the coming of a redeemer of humanity. Through Isaac, all the nations today benefit from the covenant of God that we are redeemed from Sin and Death. Through Christ, we may have everlasting life. Understanding this, how do we grow in our faith and relationship with Christ?

Quoting S. Michael Wilcox, we find this truth: “Through his covenant with Abraham, the Lord has promised to bless all the faithful with truth, priesthood ordinances, exaltation, and eternal increase.” 

Like Abraham, God’s covenant for us is to experience prosperity and abundance in our own lives. We are blessed in knowing that our Christian faith and life may become a blessing unto others. And, that our legacy of faith is passed down through our own generations. It is through our own assurance and hope that we are able to receive the fulfillment of God’s blessings and promises in our own lives.