Genesis 16 -19

The Burden of Relatives
Today's portion introduces another character, Ishmael, that highlights and perpetuates the dichotomy of lineages that began in Genesis 3 with the birth of Cain.  Even the Lord testifies (16:12) that Ishmael with be a "wild man"  A man "whose hand will be against every man."  Because of Abram's and Sarai's impatience, they have burdened the descendants of Isaac, the promised seed (17:19) with the descendants of Ishmael even to this day.

In spite of Abram's blantant disobedience, the Lord takes the necessary steps to ensure His plan moves forward with the requisite celerity.  The Lord even visits Abraham and Sarah in the plains of Mamre to confirm His promise (chapter 18) telling them that they will receive the promised son within a year.

The setting and reaction of Abraham to the three angels is in stark contrast to the setting and reaction of backslidden Lot in Sodom when confronted with the two angels. First, Abraham is setting in the door of his tent in the heat of the day (18:1).  He was expecting something.  He was ready to entertain visitors. 

The Bible plainly states that he saw "three men", yet his greeting is not what one would logically surmise.  In 18:3 the Bible (NLT) states, "'My lord,' he said, 'if it pleases you, stop here for a while.'"   My Lord (singular) even though there were three men.  Abraham knew that one of the men was deity in flesh. He wanted them to stop. He wanted to entertain them, feed them, and fellowship with them.  He immediately had Sarah begin preparing a meal. Because of his actions and where he was, the Lord was able to bless him and Sarah.  In verse 22 we see that the Lord was so pleased to be with Abraham that, "The two other men went on toward Sodom, but the LORD remained with Abraham for a while."

Lot, on the other hand, was setting in the gate of Sodom, busy with political matters.  He was concerned about his wealth, his wife, his standing in the community. While he was hospitable to the two visitors, he was also keenly aware of the wickedness of Sodom (19:3).  Why would a person remain in such a wicked environment unless he had decided that the monetary gain out-weighed his spiritual well being?  Lot was so attached to this place that the angels had to literally manhandle Lot and his family from Sodom before the destruction could begin (19:16).  This is one of the most dramatic displays of God's grace to a backslider in the Bible.

Despite their best efforts, Lot's wife could not give up her existence and paid for it with her life (19:26).  The wickedness of that environment had so inculcated his family that his daughters commited incest with their father to have children, both of which, proved to be problems for Israel in the generations to come.  Had Abram fully obeyed God back in 12:1-4, this could have been avoided.

Our lesson from this portion is a reiteration of yesterday's - that we must be willing to forsake all to follow the Lord.

May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.