Gen 17:1-3 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. 2 And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.” 3 Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him,
This is the only position to be in when before God. God speaks to us in our brokenness and humility.
Gen 17:23 So Abraham took Ishmael his son, all who were born in his house and all who were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham’s house, and circumcised the flesh of their foreskins that very same day,
Note Abram’s immediate obedience, immediate, radical, complete obedience… regardless of the pain, regardless of what others though.. “you want me to do what on my where?”
Gen 18:2 So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground,
Abram is 100 years old… and he’s running and bowing before guests who are approaching. The text isn’t clear that Abram recognized the three visitors at this point, he merely saw them from a distance and went to serve them.
Gen 18:4-5 4 Please let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. 5 And I will bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh your hearts. After that you may pass by, inasmuch as you have come to your servant.”
Washing feet; Breaking Bread; serving – these are all the major components of communion and what Christ did at the Last Supper with the disciples. Could this be the first communion?
Gen 18:9 Then they said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?”
These visitors clearly were not human, as God himself had changed Sarah’s name from Sarai to Sarah, and here she is referenced as Sarah – the new name God had given her.
Lots of nuggets.