Genesis 18

The Explanation

It is hot. Really hot. The sun beats down on the tents in the plain of Mamre, and Abraham sits in the doorway of his tent, probably trying to catch a bit of shade. Then he looks up and sees three men standing near him. He does not know yet who they are, but he immediately runs toward them, bows down to the ground, and begs them to stay. Notice how eager he is: an old man, running in the heat. He offers water for their feet, a place to rest, and "a piece of bread." That "piece of bread" turns out to be a whole feast: fresh cakes, butter, milk, and a young calf. Abraham does not do things halfway.

While the guests eat, they ask a strange question: "Where is Sarah, your wife?" How do they know her name? Then one of them says something that makes the air stand still: "I will certainly return to you at about this time next year; and behold, Sarah your wife will have a son."

Sarah is listening behind the tent flap. And she laughs. Not out loud, but inside herself. She is old. Her husband is old. A baby? That is impossible. But the visitor hears that quiet laugh anyway and says: "Is anything too hard for Yahweh?" Sarah gets scared and says she did not laugh. But God calmly answers: "No, but you did laugh." He sees right through her.

Then the visitors stand up and look toward Sodom, a city full of evil. And now something remarkable happens. God says to Himself: shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? He decides to tell Abraham.

Abraham hears that Sodom will be judged. And then he starts something we would hardly dare. He begins to bargain with God. "What if there are fifty righteous people in that city? Would you still destroy it?" God says: no, then I will spare it. Abraham goes further: forty-five? Forty? Thirty? Twenty? Ten? Each time God says: for their sake I will not destroy it. Abraham keeps saying he is only "dust and ashes," but he keeps daring to ask.

What Does This Mean?

This chapter shows two amazing things about God. First: He comes close. He sits down and eats with Abraham like a friend. He is not distant. Second: He listens. He lets Abraham ask, and He answers patiently, again and again.

Sarah's laugh shows something else. God's promises can sound so impossible that we laugh inside. But God is not offended by it, He simply repeats: is anything too hard for Yahweh? That is the real question of this chapter.

The Common Thread

Long before, God had promised Abraham a son. Through that son, a whole nation would come, and through that nation, a blessing for the whole world (verse 18). That blessing eventually leads to Jesus. Jesus is born from Abraham's family, thousands of years later, and He is the greatest blessing for all peoples.

And look at Abraham praying for Sodom. He stands between God and a city that deserves judgment, and he pleads for mercy. Jesus does the same for us, but even better. He does not just ask for mercy, He takes the judgment on Himself. Abraham is like a small picture of what Jesus later does completely.

For You

Have you ever thought that something was too big for God? A friendship that is broken. A grandpa who is sick. A prayer you have prayed a hundred times and nothing seems to change. Sarah laughed because she had given up. God did not get angry, but He also did not let her stay there. He kept His promise.

And look at Abraham. He kept asking. He was not pushy, he was humble, but he did not stop. You may pray like that too. Not once and then done, but keep coming to God. Especially for other people, like Abraham did for a whole city.

Talk About It

Why do you think God let Abraham keep asking, instead of saying right away: enough now?

Is there something in your life that feels too big for God? What would you want to ask Him?

Praying Together

Lord, You are never too far away and never too big to listen. Thank You that nothing is too hard for You. Teach me to keep praying, also for other people. And when I doubt, remind me quietly that You keep Your promises. Amen.