(See Part 1)
3. Show Faith
The only topic of conversation that's recorded in the Bible during the meal Abraham and the angels have together is that God will fulfill the promise he gave Abraham earlier (Genesis 17:15-16) that Sarah (his wife) will bear him a son. The angels say it will be so and happen by the time they return next year. Keep in mind Sarah is ~90 years old at this time! To accept this promise requires amazing faith.
Sarah fails this test by laughing at the promise. In Genesis 18:12:
A verse translation on EnduringWord by Leupold: "After I have become worn out, have I enjoyed sexual delight and my lord too is an old man?" Leupold continues, "The matter is not put very delicately by Sarah".
Sarah not only laughs in the angels' faces but her words mock the promise. When she is called out on her laughter by the angels, Sarah lies and says "I did not laugh" (Genesis 18:15). The angel referred to as Lord (and is believed by many to be God in human form) has the last word "Yes you did laugh" (Genesis 18:15).
Despite Sarah's lack of faith, God makes good on his promise. After all, his promise of descendants is to Abraham, not Sarah.
It should be noted Abraham is quiet during this exchange between Sarah and the angels. Maybe this is because Abraham was already laughed out from when the promise was given to him earlier (Genesis 17:17). But his laughter then appeared benign because in the following verse he wishes that his son Ishmael also receives God's blessing. This comment implies Abraham believes and values God's blessings (which would extend to God's promise of a child by Sarah) enough to want it for Ishmael. Therefore, with this context, we may conclude Abraham's laughter was likely one of surprise or delight not disbelief. The words uttered following Abraham and Sarah's laughter on hearing God's promise are very different and suggest different things about their faith.
Perhaps the lesson is, if the angels say something, face-to-face, believe it. Even if it sounds impossible. Because God is capable of the impossible. An angel's human appearance may incline us towards the more modest expectations we tend to have of other humans but if we know the truth of who we're speaking with, we shouldn't let appearances deceive us.
What is said by angels carries the weight of God's word. According to Psalm 103,
Conclusion
I'm still wondering what Abraham saw in these "men" (Genesis 16:2) to discover they were actually angels and not ordinary men. Scripture in this chapter does not tell us much in the way of physical characteristics of these angels. Perhaps Abraham observed traits we see elsewhere in the Bible about angels such as their unique eyes or unique voice (as seen in the Book of Daniel). But it appears a mystery in this case. Even so, Abraham models mindsets and behavior we can apply if we are so fortunate to meet an angel.
With God, we are asked to wait actively - that is to prepare while we patiently wait for the time God will speak into our lives with favor. In the event we are awesomely blessed with an angel encounter, the Bible gives us some clues on how to prepare for the moment.
As the Book of Hebrews suggests, don't be so sure you won't meet an angel or that you haven't met one already. As Christians, we are expected to show traits of love, kindness and goodness everyday. But meeting an angel is a special opportunity. Abraham's example -- abounding in energy, rushing to bow & prepare a meal, and serving as though it's an honor for him to do so -- stands as a powerful model for believers.
3. Show Faith
The only topic of conversation that's recorded in the Bible during the meal Abraham and the angels have together is that God will fulfill the promise he gave Abraham earlier (Genesis 17:15-16) that Sarah (his wife) will bear him a son. The angels say it will be so and happen by the time they return next year. Keep in mind Sarah is ~90 years old at this time! To accept this promise requires amazing faith.
Sarah fails this test by laughing at the promise. In Genesis 18:12:
A verse translation on EnduringWord by Leupold: "After I have become worn out, have I enjoyed sexual delight and my lord too is an old man?" Leupold continues, "The matter is not put very delicately by Sarah".
Sarah not only laughs in the angels' faces but her words mock the promise. When she is called out on her laughter by the angels, Sarah lies and says "I did not laugh" (Genesis 18:15). The angel referred to as Lord (and is believed by many to be God in human form) has the last word "Yes you did laugh" (Genesis 18:15).
Despite Sarah's lack of faith, God makes good on his promise. After all, his promise of descendants is to Abraham, not Sarah.
It should be noted Abraham is quiet during this exchange between Sarah and the angels. Maybe this is because Abraham was already laughed out from when the promise was given to him earlier (Genesis 17:17). But his laughter then appeared benign because in the following verse he wishes that his son Ishmael also receives God's blessing. This comment implies Abraham believes and values God's blessings (which would extend to God's promise of a child by Sarah) enough to want it for Ishmael. Therefore, with this context, we may conclude Abraham's laughter was likely one of surprise or delight not disbelief. The words uttered following Abraham and Sarah's laughter on hearing God's promise are very different and suggest different things about their faith.
Perhaps the lesson is, if the angels say something, face-to-face, believe it. Even if it sounds impossible. Because God is capable of the impossible. An angel's human appearance may incline us towards the more modest expectations we tend to have of other humans but if we know the truth of who we're speaking with, we shouldn't let appearances deceive us.
What is said by angels carries the weight of God's word. According to Psalm 103,
Conclusion
I'm still wondering what Abraham saw in these "men" (Genesis 16:2) to discover they were actually angels and not ordinary men. Scripture in this chapter does not tell us much in the way of physical characteristics of these angels. Perhaps Abraham observed traits we see elsewhere in the Bible about angels such as their unique eyes or unique voice (as seen in the Book of Daniel). But it appears a mystery in this case. Even so, Abraham models mindsets and behavior we can apply if we are so fortunate to meet an angel.
With God, we are asked to wait actively - that is to prepare while we patiently wait for the time God will speak into our lives with favor. In the event we are awesomely blessed with an angel encounter, the Bible gives us some clues on how to prepare for the moment.
As the Book of Hebrews suggests, don't be so sure you won't meet an angel or that you haven't met one already. As Christians, we are expected to show traits of love, kindness and goodness everyday. But meeting an angel is a special opportunity. Abraham's example -- abounding in energy, rushing to bow & prepare a meal, and serving as though it's an honor for him to do so -- stands as a powerful model for believers.
