gen 18

Question	Answer	Note---10-02-2016
		18: The Lord appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre is the title of the chapter. Then the details are supplied in the succeeding verses.
		18:3 Abraham said my lord, addressing the men. The title used could have been used to address God. Consequently it seems that Abraham understood that these men were not ordinary men, but messengers from God. It could be that Abraham had observed the men before doing something miraculous or these very men had visited him before. Either way Abraham recognized them as heavenly beings. It seems that Abraham recognized God among the three men. God had visited Abraham several times before, in this same form and consequently Abraham readily recognized Him.
		18:6 Jesus uses this same story as a parable matt13:33
		18:6 the word hearth was supplied. While it is understood that is where the cake would have probably been made, adding the word was not necessary.
		18:7-8 This was a most exquisite meal. A young calf and butter. This was the first mention of butter. Note the making of this butter would have taken time and would have been a delicacy to have with our meal. Abraham did not make the butter then, but it no doubt was the best that he had to offer.
		18:8 The angels ate meat.
		It is interesting that they ate. It seems that when angels take on the form of humans they take on human characteristics. It is not clear how far they can go, or how far they can indulge.
		18:9 Note that it is not recorded that  Abraham introduced Sarah to the men, however they could call her by name. It would have been alarming under other circumstances however it was not because he knew they were angels.
		18:11 Note Sarah was no longer seeing her period.
Sarah speaks of pleasure, could it be that she was talking about sexual relations or was this solely about the delight that having children bring?		18:12
		18:12-It seems that the God of this era is more merciful than the God of the later generations. Both Sarah and Abraham laughed at the prophecy of God and it does not seem they were punished? Note that there were different circumstances surrounding each act of God. He is God He does not change, however as the situation requires he acts.
		18:15 Sarah lies to God in the face. Nothing happens to her. Note it was out of fear that she lied. God is merciful to fear it seems vs deceit. It could have also meant that she did not realize that she laughed, since the scripture recorded she laughed within herself. There was no intent to be disrespectful or deceive.
		18:16 Note that the angels here are classified as men (they partook of the food which Abraham gave them, displaying human-like characteristics) consequently we can say that they took on flesh. From previous verses we know that one of the angels was actually the Lord 18:3. However, the incarnation of Christ was special, because he did not just appear as man, but went through the entire birth and growth process.
		18:17 Note that God wanted to show Abraham what He was about to do. He spoke and it is not said who He is addressing, however from other parts in the bible we know that when God speaks it is for the edification of all His creatures, and not just those on Earth. Also angels were present, it could be assumed that God was actually addressing them, since it is obvious he is not addressing Abraham, and the angels are the only other ones present.
		18:20 The Lord is now addressing Abraham. Also note that the use if cry is figurative. It seems similar to the cry that the earth made when it received Abel’s blood (Gen 4:10). Consequently, we say that it was not the people crying out, because there was none righteous in those cities.
		18:21 Everything that God does is with the intention to teach. So when God declares that He is going to investigate, it gives Abraham insight into why He is about to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. Also it shows the grace of God in that he is not swift to punish. In spite of the report received, God wants to extend mercy and so personalizes the investigation.
		18:22 Abraham stands and talk with the Lord
		18:25 Here the argument is strengthened that God had to reveal to Abraham what He was about to do, so that His character was not misrepresented to Abraham.
		18:25 Note the common discourse between the two, it is obvious that Abraham was the friend of God. To the point that it sounds as if reverence was lacking. There does not seem to be anything fake or hypocritical about the relationship that Abraham has with God.
		18:33 Note that although the Lord had said that He would go to Sodom, he did not. It is apparent that the sole purpose of the Lord visiting was to inform Abraham of what was about to happen.