INTRODUCTION:  This section of the Bible gives a great lesson on hospitality.  But, more than that, it deals with fellowship with God.  Abraham received the Lord into his home and the Lord felt enough confidence in Abraham to reveal to him what He was getting ready to do.

1. THE MEAL WITH THE THREE MEN (Genesis 18:1-8 [1] And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; [2] And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground, [3] And said, My LORD, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant: [4] Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree: [5] And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said. [6] And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth. [7] And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it. [8] And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.
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1. The Lord Appears at Abraham’s Tent (Genesis 18:1-2 [1] And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; [2] And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,
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1. The plains of Mamre are at Hebron (Genesis 13:18Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the LORD.
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2. Because of the hot climate, people would commonly seek shelter in the heat of the day.  They would eat their noon meal (Genesis 43:16And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring these men home, and slay, and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon.
   See All...).  Later, they would rest and sometimes take a nap (see 2 Samuel 4:5And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth, who lay on a bed at noon.
   See All...; 1 Samuel 24:3And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.
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3. The three men (Genesis 18:2And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,
   See All...)
1. Evidently the Lord appearing in a body along with two angels
2. After talking with Abraham (Genesis 18:22And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.
   See All...), the men go to Sodom and the Lord remains with Abraham for a while.  Later (Genesis 18:33And the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.
   See All...), the Lord goes on His way.
3. We are then told that two angels come to Sodom at even (Genesis 19:1And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;
   See All...).  Of the three men who appear at Abraham’s tent door, two of them are the two angels who go on to Sodom while the third is the Lord who stays and talks with Abraham.
4. The Lord who appears to and talks with Abraham is certainly an appearance of Christ before He was born as a baby in Bethlehem.  We know He appeared in the Old Testament because 1 Corinthians 10:4And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
   See All... states that the Rock that followed Israel in the wilderness was Christ.
2. Abraham Ministers to the Men (Genesis 18:3-5 [3] And said, My LORD, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant: [4] Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree: [5] And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.
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1. He asks them to stay awhile (Genesis 18:3And said, My LORD, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:
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2. He offers his hospitality (Genesis 18:4-5 [4] Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree: [5] And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.
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1. Water to wash their feet
2. A tree for shade
3. A morsel of bread
3. He sees purpose in their visit (Genesis 18:5And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.
   See All...) -“for therefore are ye come to your servant.”
4. They agree to stay (Genesis 18:5And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.
   See All...).
3. Abraham Prepares a Meal for the Men (Genesis 18:6-8 [6] And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth. [7] And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it. [8] And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.
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1. Sarah prepares the bread (Genesis 18:6And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth.
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2. A young man fetches a calf (Genesis 18:7And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it.
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3. Abraham adds butter and milk (Genesis 18:8And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.
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4. They eat under the tree (Genesis 18:8And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.
   See All...).
4. Special Notes on Tents
1. The life of the Nomads
1. An early form of living (Genesis 4:20And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle.
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2. The life of the patriarchs (Genesis 12:8And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.
   See All...; Genesis 26:17And Isaac departed thence, and pitched his tent in the valley of Gerar, and dwelt there.
   See All...; Genesis 33:18And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padanaram; and pitched his tent before the city.
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3. The Israelites in the wilderness (Numbers 1:52And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own camp, and every man by his own standard, throughout their hosts.
   See All...; Numbers 24:2And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him.
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4. A people of no single dwelling place (Hebrews 11:9By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
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5. A life spent mostly outdoors; fostered a spirit of great independence
6. Considered the best and most righteous kind of life by those who lived it (Psalm 84:10For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
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2. The material of the tent
1. Made of black goat’s hair (Song of Solomon 1:5I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.
   See All...), a coarse, heavy fabric
2. Becomes waterproof after the first rains shrink the hairs together
3. The same material as sackcloth (Revelation 6:12And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;
   See All...) which was worn because of its prickly texture and common appearance as a sign of:
1. Sorrow (Genesis 37:34And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.
   See All...; 2 Samuel 3:31And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier.
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2. Humility (1 Kings 21:27And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly.
   See All...; 2 Kings 19:1And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD.
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3. Repentance (Daniel 9:3And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:
   See All...; Jonah 3:5So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.
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3. The pitching of the tent
1. Poles were set up over which the long tent cloth was stretched.
2. The tent was then drawn out by cords and the cords were attached to the ground by nails (see Judges 4:21Then Jael Heber's wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died.
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3. Side pieces were added to the tent which were lifted up in the summer to allow the breeze in.
4. When there were several tents, they were pitched in a circle with the openings to the center of the circle; this area was often used to keep some of the sheep or other animals.
5. The tent of the sheik or leader of the group was identified by a long spear at its side (see 1 Samuel 26:7So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him.
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4. The design of the tent
1. The tents were usually narrow but long; after the setting of the stakes, they might look oblong.
2. They were divided into two or three compartments by curtains.
1. The door led into the middle section which was the men’s apartment; this is where visitors were greeted and the men conducted business.
2. A second apartment would be for the women and children.
1. The only man who could ever go back there was the head of the household.
2. Though screened from the men, the women could hear what went on (Genesis 18:10-15 [10] And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him. [11] Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. [12] Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? [13] And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old? [14] Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son. [15] Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.
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3. There was sometimes a third apartment for servants or cattle.
3. In great households, the women might have separate tents (Genesis 31:33And Laban went into Jacob's tent, and into Leah's tent, and into the two maidservants' tents; but he found them not. Then went he out of Leah's tent, and entered into Rachel's tent.
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4. A tent could be enlarged by adding a new section to the old tent material (Isaiah 54:2Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;
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5. The furnishings of the tent
1. Everything in the tent must be easy to move (Isaiah 38:12Mine age is departed, and is removed from me as a shepherd's tent: I have cut off like a weaver my life: he will cut me off with pining sickness: from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me.
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2. The ground was covered with rugs.
3. They slept on mats or carpets and covered themselves with their outer garments.
4. They had skin bags or bottles from which to drink water; leather buckets for drawing water from a well; earthen pitchers for carrying water.
5. Their cooking and eating utensils included pots, pans, kettles, serving mats, platters and cups.
6. Light was provided from a lamp which burned olive oil.
7. If a camel was owned, the camel furniture served as a seat inside the tent (Genesis 31:34Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel's furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban searched all the tent, but found them not.
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8. The hearth was a hole dug in the ground where a fire was kindled; it usually had stones around it; there was also one outside for cooking in good weather.
5. Special Notes on Hospitality
1. Guests
1. Guests were always desired; eating alone was disliked (Job 31:17Or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof;
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2. Guests were believed to be sent by God; a wandering stranger was treated like an invited guest (Genesis 18:2-8 [2] And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground, [3] And said, My LORD, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant: [4] Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree: [5] And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said. [6] And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth. [7] And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it. [8] And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.
   See All...; Hebrews 13:2Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
   See All...; Romans 12:13Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
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3. Guests came under the protection of the host; it was a great evil to betray this duty (Genesis 19:4-8 [4] But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: [5] And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them. [6] And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him, [7] And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly. [8] Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.
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4. On the other hand, for a guest to betray his host was also a terrible evil (Psalm 41:9Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
   See All...; Obadiah 7; John 13:18I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.
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2. Customs upon entering a home
1. Bowing – used to show a readiness to serve, to express thanksgiving, to ask for a favor; also an act of worship (Genesis 18:2-3 [2] And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground, [3] And said, My LORD, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:
   See All...; Genesis 23:7And Abraham stood up, and bowed himself to the people of the land, even to the children of Heth.
   See All..., 12; Genesis 33:3And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.
   See All..., 6, 7;  Matthew 18:26The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
   See All...; Revelation 19:10And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
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2. Greeting – the host says, Peace be on you; the guest replies, And on you peace (Luke 10:5-6 [5] And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. [6] And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.
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3. Kissing
1. The kissing of the cheeks is an Oriental custom of greeting (Genesis 27:27And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed:
   See All...; Genesis 33:4And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.
   See All...; Genesis 45:15Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.
   See All...; Genesis 48:10Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, so that he could not see. And he brought them near unto him; and he kissed them, and embraced them.
   See All...; Exodus 4:27And the LORD said to Aaron, Go into the wilderness to meet Moses. And he went, and met him in the mount of God, and kissed him.
   See All...; Exodus 18:7And Moses went out to meet his father in law, and did obeisance, and kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare; and they came into the tent.
   See All...; 1 Samuel 20:41And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.
   See All...; Luke 15:20And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
   See All...; Acts 20:37And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,
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2. Used as a familiar greeting among friends (Luke 7:45Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
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4. Removing the shoes
1. Shoes were removed when entering a house.
2. The shoes, which touch the ground, are considered defiled (Exodus 3:5And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.
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5. Washing the feet
1. Water is offered to the guest to wash his feet (Genesis 18:4Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:
   See All...; Genesis 19:2And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.
   See All...; Genesis 24:32And the man came into the house: and he ungirded his camels, and gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet, and the men's feet that were with him.
   See All...; Genesis 43:24And the man brought the men into Joseph's house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their asses provender.
   See All...; 1 Samuel 25:41And she arose, and bowed herself on her face to the earth, and said, Behold, let thine handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.
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2. A servant will often wash the feet of the guest (John 13:4-5 [4] He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. [5] After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
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3. This is an important test of hospitality (Luke 7:44And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
   See All...; 1 Timothy 5:10Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.
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6. Anointing the head with oil – often done to refresh the guest (Psalm 23:5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
   See All...; Luke 7:46My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
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1. Giving a drink of water
1. Commonly done (Genesis 24:17-18 [17] And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher. [18] And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.
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2. A recognition that the guest was worthy (Mark 9:41For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.
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7. Taking care of the guests
1. The guest was made lord of the house (Genesis 19:2And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.
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2. The guest was not left alone at any time.
3. The guest was served a meal (Genesis 18:5-8 [5] And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said. [6] And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth. [7] And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it. [8] And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.
   See All...).
1. The meal was considered a special covenant of peace and trust (Genesis 26:30And he made them a feast, and they did eat and drink.
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2. The meal was to be entered into with care (Genesis 24:33And there was set meat before him to eat: but he said, I will not eat, until I have told mine errand. And he said, Speak on.
   See All...; Joshua 9:14And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD.
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8. Departure of the guests
1. Attempts made to delay the departure (Genesis 24:54-56 [54] And they did eat and drink, he and the men that were with him, and tarried all night; and they rose up in the morning, and he said, Send me away unto my master. [55] And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten; after that she shall go. [56] And he said unto them, Hinder me not, seeing the LORD hath prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my master.
   See All...; Judges 19:5-10 [5] And it came to pass on the fourth day, when they arose early in the morning, that he rose up to depart: and the damsel's father said unto his son in law, Comfort thine heart with a morsel of bread, and afterward go your way. [6] And they sat down, and did eat and drink both of them together: for the damsel's father had said unto the man, Be content, I pray thee, and tarry all night, and let thine heart be merry. [7] And when the man rose up to depart, his father in law urged him: therefore he lodged there again. [8] And he arose early in the morning on the fifth day to depart; and the damsel's father said, Comfort thine heart, I pray thee. And they tarried until afternoon, and they did eat both of them. [9] And when the man rose up to depart, he, and his concubine, and his servant, his father in law, the damsel's father, said unto him, Behold, now the day draweth toward evening, I pray you tarry all night: behold, the day groweth to an end, lodge here, that thine heart may be merry; and to morrow get you early on your way, that thou mayest go home. [10] But the man would not tarry that night, but he rose up and departed, and came over against Jebus, which is Jerusalem; and there were with him two asses saddled, his concubine also was with him.
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2. Guest told to depart in peace (Genesis 26:31And they rose up betimes in the morning, and sware one to another: and Isaac sent them away, and they departed from him in peace.
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3. Host sometimes traveled a short distance with the departing guest (Genesis 18:16And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.
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6. THE PROMISE OF A SON FOR SARAH (Genesis 18:9-15 [9] And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent. [10] And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him. [11] Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. [12] Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? [13] And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old? [14] Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son. [15] Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.
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1. The Lord Renews His Promise (Genesis 18:9-10 [9] And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent. [10] And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.
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1. They inquire about Sarah (Genesis 18:9And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent.
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2. They announce the coming birth (Genesis 18:10And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.
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1. According to the time of life
2. Sarah shall have a son.
2. Sarah Laughs at the Prospect (Genesis 18:11-12 [11] Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. [12] Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?
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1. Sarah had ceased after the manner of women (Genesis 18:11Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.
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2. She laughs at the prospect of having a son (Genesis 18:12Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?
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3. The Lord Declares His Power (Genesis 18:13-15 [13] And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old? [14] Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son. [15] Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.
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1. He challenges Sarah’s laugh (Genesis 18:13And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?
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2. He declares His ability (Genesis 18:14Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.
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3. Sarah denies that she laughed (Genesis 18:15Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.
   See All...).
7. THE WARNING OF JUDGMENT FOR SODOM (Genesis 18:16-22 [16] And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way. [17] And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; [18] Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? [19] For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. [20] And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; [21] I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know. [22] And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.
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1. The Question of Revealing to Abraham (Genesis 18:16-17 [16] And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way. [17] And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;
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1. The men rose up to leave (Genesis 18:16And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.
   See All...).
2. The Lord questions revealing His plan to Abraham (Genesis 18:17And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;
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2. The Worthiness of Abraham to Hear (Genesis 18:18-19 [18] Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? [19] For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.
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1. Abraham will become a great nation (Genesis 18:18Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?
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2. Abraham will command his children after him (Genesis 18:19For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.
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1. They will keep the way of the Lord.
2. They will do justice and judgment.
3. The Lord’s Plan Concerning Sodom (Genesis 18:20-22 [20] And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; [21] I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know. [22] And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.
   See All...)
1. The cry of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:20And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;
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2. The investigation of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:21-22 [21] I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know. [22] And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.
   See All...)
8. THE INTECESSORY PRAYER OF ABRAHAM (Genesis 18:23-33 [23] And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? [24] Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? [25] That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? [26] And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes. [27] And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD, which am but dust and ashes: [28] Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it. [29] And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty's sake. [30] And he said unto him, Oh let not the LORD be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there. [31] And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty's sake. [32] And he said, Oh let not the LORD be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake. [33] And the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.
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1. Abraham’s Plea Concerning Fifty Righteous (Genesis 18:23-26 [23] And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? [24] Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? [25] That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? [26] And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.
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1. Abraham’s concern for the righteous (Genesis 18:23And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
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2. His plea in case there are fifty righteous (Genesis 18:24Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?
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3. His confidence in the justness of the Lord (Genesis 18:25That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?
   See All...) –“Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?”
4. God’s promise to spare Sodom for fifty (Genesis 18:26And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.
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2. Abraham Works Down to Ten Righteous (Genesis 18:27-33 [27] And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD, which am but dust and ashes: [28] Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it. [29] And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty's sake. [30] And he said unto him, Oh let not the LORD be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there. [31] And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty's sake. [32] And he said, Oh let not the LORD be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake. [33] And the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.
   See All...).
1. Abraham’s plea for forty-five righteous (Genesis 18:27-28 [27] And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD, which am but dust and ashes: [28] Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it.
   See All...)
2. Abraham’s plea for forty righteous (Genesis 18:29And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty's sake.
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3. Abraham’s plea for thirty righteous (Genesis 18:30And he said unto him, Oh let not the LORD be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there.
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4. Abraham’s plea for twenty righteous (Genesis 18:31And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty's sake.
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5. Abraham’s plea for ten righteous (Genesis 18:32And he said, Oh let not the LORD be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake.
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6. The Lord goes on His way (Genesis 18:33And the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.
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CONCLUSION:  Abraham’s life of service and dedication to God is an example for us today.  How well do you know God?

David Reagan and Andrew Ray