Chapter 18:
| Calvin
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 Revelation Exodus
Genesis 18
Concise Complete
The Lord appears to Abraham. (1-8) Sarah's unbelief
reproved. (9-15) God reveals to Abraham the destruction of Sodom. (16-22)
Abraham's intercession for Sodom. (23-33)
Verses 1-8
Abraham was waiting to entertain any weary traveller, for inns were not to be
met with as among us. While Abraham was thus sitting, he saw three men coming.
These were three heavenly beings in human bodies. Some think they were all
created angels; others, that one of them was the Son of God, the Angel of the
covenant. Washing the feet is customary in those hot climates, where only
sandals are worn. We should not be forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby
some have entertained angels unawares,
hebrews 13:2; nay, the
Lord of angels himself; as we always do, when for his sake we entertain the
least of his brethren. Cheerful and obliging manners in showing kindness, are
great ornaments to piety. Though our condescending Lord vouchsafes not personal
visits to us, yet still by his Spirit he stands at the door and knocks; when we
are inclined to open, he deigns to enter; and by his gracious consolations he
provides a rich feast, of which we partake with him,
revelation 3:20.
Verses 9-15
Where is Sarah thy wife? was asked. Note the answer, In the tent. Just at hand,
in her proper place, occupied in her household concerns. There is nothing got by
gadding. Those are most likely to receive comfort from God and his promises, who
are in their proper place, and in the way of their duty, Lu 2:8. We are slow of
heart to believe, and need line upon line to the same purport. The blessings
others have from common providence, believers have from the Divine promise,
which makes them very sweet, and very sure. The spiritual seed of Abraham owe
their life, and joy, and hope, and all, to the promise. Sarah thinks this too
good news to be true; she laughed, and therefore cannot as yet find in her heart
to believe it. Sarah laughed. We might not have thought there was a difference
between Sarah's laughter and Abraham's, ch. 17:17; but He who searches the
heart, saw that the one sprung from unbelief, and the other from faith. She
denied that she had laughed. One sin commonly brings in another, and it is not
likely we shall strictly keep to truth, when we question the Divine truth. But
whom the Lord loves he will rebuke, convict, silence, and bring to repentance,
and if they sin before him.
Verses 16-22
The two who are supposed to have been created angels went toward Sodom. The one
who is called Jehovah throughout the Chapter, continued with Abraham, and would
not hide from him the thing he intended to do. Though God long forbears with
sinners, from which they fancy that the Lord does not see, and does not regard;
yet when the day of his wrath comes, he will look toward them. The Lord will
give Abraham an opportunity to intercede with him, and shows him the reason of
his conduct. Consider, as a very bright part of Abraham's character and example,
that he not only prayed with his family, but he was very careful to teach and
rule them well. Those who expect family blessings must make conscience of family
duty. Abraham did not fill their heads with matters of doubtful dispute; but he
taught them to be serious and devout in the worship of God, and to be honest in
their dealings with all men. Of how few may such a character be given in our
days! How little care is taken by masters of families to ground those under them
in the principles of religion! Do we watch from sabbath to sabbath whether they
go forward or backward?
Verses 23-33
Here is the first solemn prayer upon record in the Bible; and it is a prayer for
the sparing of Sodom. Abraham prayed earnestly that Sodom might be spared, if
but a few righteous persons should be found in it. Come and learn from Abraham
what compassion we should feel for sinners, and how earnestly we should pray for
them. We see here that the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails
much. Abraham, indeed, failed in his request for the whole place, but Lot was
miraculously delivered. Be encouraged then to expect, by earnest prayer, the
blessing of God upon your families, your friends, your neighbourhood. To this
end you must not only pray, but you must live like Abraham. He knew the Judge of
all the earth would do right. He does not plead that the wicked may be spared
for their own sake, or because it would be severe to destroy them, but for the
sake of the righteous who might be found among them. And righteousness only can
be made a plea before God. How then did Christ make intercession for
transgressors? Not by blaming the Divine law, nor by alleging aught in
extenuation or excuse of human guilt; but by pleading HIS OWN obedience unto
death.
Chapter 18:
| Calvin
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 Revelation Exodus
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
