Knowing The Word in Genesis 18:1-15, The Lord Appears

1 And the Lord appeared [editorial comment for our benefit to make us aware] to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent [getting ready for his siesta] in the heat of the day. 2 He lifted up his eyes and looked [we now see the scene through Abraham's eyes rather than the narrator], and behold, three men [the Lord] were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth [displaying his warmth and respect and unwittingly treating them to divine worship] 3 and said, “O Lord [sir, addressing leader of the group], if I have found favor [grace] in your sight, do not pass by your servant [laying on the charm while unwittingly acknowledging his true identity in relationship to God]. 4 Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, 5 while I bring a morsel of bread [why offer such a tiny bit?], that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” 6 And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quick! [His plan changes; he’s now in a hurry.] Three seahs [6 gallons] of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes.” [What happened to the morsel?] 7 And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly. [A goat is more appropriate in size for three visitors unless you are preparing a royal feast.] 8 Then he took curds and milk [lebben or yogurt] and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them [like a waiter] under the tree while they ate. [Does Abraham realize who they really are or not?]

9 They [plural] said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” [If they have yet to meet her, how do they know her name? Wouldn’t they know where she already is having fixed the meal for them?] And he said, “She is in the tent.” [The heart of this scene is the Lord and Sarah, yet she is out of sight in the tent as a married woman would be at that time, out of the sight of the visitors. When does this role of women change? You have to look at the New Testament.] 10 The Lord [back to singular] said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” [The promise is made to her.] And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old [stated because 90 was not old before in Genesis], advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. [Conception would be impossible.] 12 So Sarah laughed [repeating Abraham’s earlier reaction] to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” [Viagra did not exist in the days of Genesis!] 13 The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ [How does he know if she is in the tent?] 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time [God has a predetermined plan] I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” [God reveals his identity. He is both omniscient and omnipotent] 15 But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.” [This dialogue confirms the name of Isaac (“he laughs” or “laughter”) and the divine nature of the guest(s).]