29 JUNE GENESIS 18

Fellowship, Fulfilment, and Intercession – The Friend of God

Genesis 18 is a chapter that reveals both the relational closeness between God and Abraham and Abraham’s evolving role as an intercessor. The Lord does not remain distant, He visits, He confirms promises, and He listens to His servant’s pleas for justice.

Genesis 18:1–2 (NIV) "The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground." This appearance is no ordinary encounter. One of the visitors is the Lord, a pre-incarnate manifestation of Christ, accompanied by two angels. Abraham responds with urgency, humility, and hospitality.

Genesis 18:3–5 (NIV) "He said, ‘If I have found favour in Your eyes, my Lord, do not pass Your servant by. Let a little water be brought, and then You may all wash Your feet and rest under this tree. Let me get You something to eat, so You can be refreshed and then go on Your way, now that You have come to Your servant.’ ‘Very well,’ they answered, ‘do as you say.’" Abraham offers more than food, he offers honour. He doesn’t yet understand the full identity of his guests, but he senses the sacredness of the moment. While Sarah prepares the meal, a life-changing question is asked:

Genesis 18:9–10 (NIV) "‘Where is your wife Sarah?’ they asked him. ‘There, in the tent,’ he said. Then one of them said, ‘I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.’" The promise was specific, immediate, and personal. But Sarah, overhearing from the tent, reacts with disbelief.

Genesis 18:12–13 (NIV) "So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, ‘After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?’ Then the Lord said to Abraham, ‘Why did Sarah laugh and say, “Will I really have a child, now that I am old?”’"

God’s question exposes the doubt in Sarah’s heart—but He answers not with rebuke, but with assurance. Genesis 18:14 (NIV)"‘Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.’" This rhetorical question resounds through all generations. God’s power is not limited by biology, time, or human weakness. What seems laughable in the flesh becomes a miracle through faith. After the meal, the tone of the chapter shifts. As the visitors prepare to leave, the Lord shares with Abraham what He is about to do in Sodom.

Genesis 18:17–18 (NIV) "Then the Lord said, ‘Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him.’" This is not only a divine confidence, it is a covenantal privilege. Abraham is being invited into the counsels of God. The reason is then explained:

Genesis 18:19 (NIV) "For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what He has promised him." God’s promises are not detached from moral formation. The covenant carries responsibilities: righteousness, justice, and generational discipleship. Then, the Lord reveals His concern over Sodom:

Genesis 18:20–21 (NIV) "Then the Lord said, ‘The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached Me. If not, I will know.’" Abraham does not remain silent. He draws near to God in intercession, appealing to His righteousness and mercy. Genesis 18:23–25 (NIV) "Then Abraham approached Him and said: ‘Will You sweep away the righteous with the wicked? What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will You really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it? Far be it from You to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from You! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?’"

This is not arrogance but reverent boldness. Abraham speaks as God’s friend, wrestling in prayer for mercy on behalf of others. God responds with astonishing grace:

Genesis 18:26 (NIV) "The Lord said, ‘If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake.’" From fifty to ten, Abraham pleads, and each time, God affirms His willingness to relent for the sake of the righteous. Genesis 18:32–33 (NIV) "Then he said, ‘May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?’ He answered, ‘For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it.’ When the Lord had finished speaking with Abraham, He left, and Abraham returned home."

The chapter closes without resolution, but it leaves us with a remarkable portrait: God dining with His servant, affirming His promise, and listening to intercession for the lost. Abraham, the friend of God, becomes a model of hospitality, faith, and prayerful justice.