1256 lines
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1256 lines
46 KiB
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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Genesis, Chapter XVIII].</TITLE>
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"This site is for those friends and family members who may or may not know Our Lord Jesus Christ, and if not, they may come to know Our Lord through His Prophets."> <meta name="author" content="Brian Duncalfe">
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<body background="../sueback.jpg" bgproperties="fixed" >
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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1></center>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
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<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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[<A HREF="MHC01017.HTM">Previous</A>]
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[<A HREF="MHC01019.HTM">Next</A>]<BR>
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<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1706)
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</TD></TR></TABLE>
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<A NAME="Page115"> </A>
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>G E N E S I S</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XVIII.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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We have an account in this chapter of another interview between
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God and Abraham, probably within a few days after the former,
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as the reward of his cheerful obedience to the law of circumcision.
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Here is,
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I. The kind visit which God made him, and
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the kind entertainment which he gave to that visit,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+18:1-8">ver. 1-8</A>.
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II. The matters discoursed of between them.
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1. The purposes
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of God's love concerning Sarah,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+18:9-15">ver. 9-15</A>.
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2. The purposes of
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God's wrath concerning Sodom.
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(1.) The discovery God made
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to Abraham of his design to destroy Sodom,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+18:16-22">ver. 16-22</A>.
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(2.) The intercession Abraham made for Sodom,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+18:23-33">ver. 23</A>,
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&c.).</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Ge18_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ge18_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ge18_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ge18_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ge18_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ge18_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ge18_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ge18_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Abraham's Interview with the Angels.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1898.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> appeared unto
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him in the plains of Mamre:
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and he sat in the tent door in the heat
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of the day;
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2 And he lift up his eyes
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and looked, and, lo, three men stood
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by him: and when he saw <I>them,</I> he
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ran to meet them from the tent-door,
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and bowed himself toward the ground,
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3 And said, My Lord, if now I have
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found favour in thy sight, pass not
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away, I pray thee, from thy servant:
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4 Let a little water, I pray you, be
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fetched, and wash your feet, and rest
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yourselves under the tree:
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5 And I
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will fetch a morsel of bread, and
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comfort ye your hearts; after that
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ye shall pass on: for therefore are
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ye come to your servant. And they
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said, So do, as thou hast said.
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6 And Abraham hastened into the tent
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unto Sarah, and said, Make ready
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quickly three measures of fine meal,
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knead <I>it,</I> and make cakes upon the
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hearth.
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7 And Abraham ran unto
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the herd, and fetched a calf tender
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and good, and gave <I>it</I> unto a young
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man; and he hasted to dress it.
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8 And he took butter, and milk, and the
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calf which he had dressed, and set <I>it</I>
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before them; and he stood by them
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under the tree, and they did eat.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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The appearance of God to Abraham seems
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to have had in it more of freedom and
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familiarity, and less of grandeur and majesty,
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than those we have hitherto read of;
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and therefore more resembles that great visit
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which, in the fullness of time, the Son of God
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was to make to the world, when the Word
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would be flesh, and appear as one of
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us. Observe here,</P>
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<P>
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I. How Abraham expected strangers, and
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how richly his expectations were answered
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+18:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>):
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<I>He sat in the tent-door, in the heat of
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the day;</I> not so much to repose or divert
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himself as to seek an opportunity of doing
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good, by giving entertainment to strangers
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and travellers, there being perhaps no inns
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to accommodate them. Note,
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1. We are
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likely to have the most comfort of those
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good works to which we are most free and
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forward.
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2. God graciously visits those in
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whom he has first raised the expectation of
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him, and manifests himself to those that wait
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for him. When Abraham was thus sitting,
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he saw three men coming towards him.
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These three men were three spiritual heavenly
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beings, now assuming human bodies, that
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they might be visible to Abraham, and conversable
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with him. Some think that they were
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all created angels, others that one of them
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was the Son of God, the angel of the covenant,
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whom Abraham distinguished from the
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rest
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+18:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>),
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and who is called <I>Jehovah,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+18:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
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The apostle improves this for the encouragement
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of hospitality,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+13:2">Heb. xiii. 2</A>.
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Those that
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have been forward to entertain strangers have
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entertained angels, to their unspeakable honour
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and satisfaction. Where, upon a prudent
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and impartial judgment, we see no cause to
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suspect ill, charity teaches us to hope well
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and to show kindness accordingly. It is
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better to feed five drones, or wasps, than to
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starve one bee.</P>
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<P>
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II. How Abraham entertained those
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strangers, and how kindly his entertainment
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was accepted. The Holy Ghost takes particular
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notice of the very free and affectionate
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welcome Abraham gave to the strangers. 1.
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He was very complaisant and respectful to
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them. Forgetting his age and gravity, he
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<I>ran to meet them</I> in the most obliging manner,
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and with all due courtesy <I>bowed himself towards
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the ground,</I> though as yet he knew
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nothing of them but that they appeared
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graceful respectable men. Note, Religion
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does not destroy, but improve, good manners,
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and teaches us to honour all men.
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Decent civility is a great ornament to piety.
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2. He was very earnest and importunate for
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their stay, and took it as a great favour,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+18:3,4"><I>v.</I> 3, 4</A>.
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Note,
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(1.) It becomes those whom God
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has blessed with plenty to be liberal and
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open-hearted in their entertainments, according
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to their ability, and (not in compliment,
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but cordially) to bid their friends welcome.
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We should take a pleasure in showing kindness
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to any; for both God and man love a
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cheerful giver. Who would <I>eat the bread of
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him that has an evil eye?</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+23:6,7">Prov. xxiii. 6, 7</A>.
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(2.) Those that would have communion with
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God must earnestly desire it and pray for it.
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God is a guest worth entertaining.
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3. His
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entertainment, though it was very free, was
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yet plain and homely, and there was nothing
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in it of the gaiety and niceness of our times.
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His dining-room was an arbour under a tree;
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no rich table-linen, no side-board set with
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<A NAME="Page116"> </A>
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plate. His feast was a joint or two of veal,
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and some cakes baked on the hearth, and
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both hastily dressed up. Here were no
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dainties, no varieties, no forced-meats, no
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sweet-meats, but good, plain, wholesome
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food, though Abraham was very rich and his
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guests were very honourable. Note, We
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ought not to be curious in our diet. Let us
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be thankful for food convenient, though it
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be homely and common; and not be desirous
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of dainties, for they are deceitful meat to
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those that love them and set their hearts upon
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them.
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4. He and his wife were both of
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them very attentive and busy, in accommodating
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their guests with the best they had.
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Sarah herself is cook and baker; Abraham
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runs to fetch the calf, brings out the milk
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and butter, and thinks it not below him to
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wait at table, that he might show how heartily
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welcome his guests were. Note,
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(1.) Those
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that have real merit need not take state upon
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them, nor are their prudent condescensions
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any disparagement to them.
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(2.) Hearty
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friendship will stoop to any thing but sin.
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Christ himself has taught us to wash one
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another's feet, in humble love. Those that
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thus abase themselves shall be exalted. Here
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Abraham's faith showed itself in good works;
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and so must ours, else it is dead,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jam+2:21,26">Jam. ii. 21, 26</A>.
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The father of the faithful was famous
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for charity, and generosity, and good house-keeping;
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and we must learn of him to <I>do
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good and to communicate.</I> Job did not eat
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his morsel alone,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+31:17">Job xxxi. 17</A>.</P>
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<A NAME="Ge18_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ge18_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ge18_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ge18_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ge18_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ge18_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ge18_15"> </A>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>9 And they said unto him, Where
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<I>is</I> Sarah thy wife? And he said,
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Behold, in the tent.
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10 And he said,
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I will certainly return unto thee according
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to the time of life; and, lo,
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Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And
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Sarah heard <I>it</I> in the tent-door, which
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<I>was</I> behind him.
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11 Now Abraham
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and Sarah <I>were</I> old <I>and</I> well stricken
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in age; <I>and</I> it ceased to be with Sarah
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after the manner of women.
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12 Therefore
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Sarah laughed within herself, saying,
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After I am waxed old shall I have
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pleasure, my lord being old also?
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13 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> said unto Abraham,
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Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying,
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Shall I of a surety bear a child, which
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am old?
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14 Is any thing too hard
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for the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>? At the time appointed
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I will return unto thee, according to
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the time of life, and Sarah shall have
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a son.
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15 Then Sarah denied, saying,
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I laughed not; for she was afraid.
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And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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These heavenly guests (being sent to confirm
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the promise lately made to Abraham,
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that he should have a son by Sarah), while
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they are receiving Abraham's kind entertainment,
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they return his kindness. He receives
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angels, and has angels' rewards, a
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gracious message from heaven,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+10:41">Matt. x. 41</A>.</P>
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<P>
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I. Care is taken that Sarah should be
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within hearing. She must conceive by faith,
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and therefore the promise must be made to
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her,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+11:11">Heb. xi. 11</A>.
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It was the modest usage
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of that time that the women did not sit at
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meat with men, at least not with strangers,
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but confined themselves to their own apartments;
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therefore Sarah is here out of sight:
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but she must not be out of hearing. The
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angels enquire
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+18:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>),
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<I>Where is Sarah thy
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wife?</I> By naming her, they gave intimation
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enough to Abraham that, though they seemed
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strangers, yet they very well knew him and
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his family. By enquiring after her, they
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showed a friendly kind concern for the
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family and relations of one whom they found
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respectful to them. It is a piece of common
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civility, which ought to proceed from a principle
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of Christian love, and then it is sanctified.
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And, by speaking of her (she over-hearing
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it), they drew her to listen to what
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was further to be said. <I>Where is Sarah thy
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wife?</I> say the angels. "<I>Behold in the tent,</I>" says
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Abraham. "Where should she be else? There
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she is in her place, as she uses to be, and is
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now within call." Note,
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1. The daughters of
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Sarah must learn of her to be <I>chaste, keepers
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at home,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Tit+2:5">Tit. ii. 5</A>.
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There is nothing got by
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gadding.
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2. Those are most likely to receive
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comfort from God and his promises that are
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in their place and in the way of their duty,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:8">Luke ii. 8</A>.</P>
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<P>
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II. The promise is then renewed and ratified,
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that she should have a son
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+18:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>):
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"<I>I
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will certainly return unto thee,</I> and visit thee
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next time with the performance, as now I do
|
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with the promise." God will return to those
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that bid him welcome, that entertain his visits:
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|
"I will return thy kindness, <I>Sarah thy wife
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shall have a son;</I>" it is repeated again,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+18:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
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Thus the promises of the Messiah were
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often repeated in the Old Testament, for the
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strengthening of the faith of God's people.
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We are slow of heart to believe, and therefore
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have need of line upon line to the same
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purport. This is that word of promise which
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the apostle quotes
|
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+9:9">Rom. ix. 9</A>),
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as that by the
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virtue of which Isaac was born. Note,
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||
|
1. The same blessings which others have from
|
||
|
common providence believers have from the
|
||
|
promise, which makes them very sweet and
|
||
|
very sure.
|
||
|
|
||
|
2. The spiritual seed of Abraham
|
||
|
owe their life, and joy, and hope, and all, to
|
||
|
the promise. They are born by the word of
|
||
|
God,
|
||
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+1:23">1 Pet. i. 23</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
III. Sarah thinks this too good news to be
|
||
|
true, and therefore cannot as yet find in her
|
||
|
heart to believe it: <I>Sarah laughed within herself,</I>
|
||
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+18:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
|
||
|
It was not a pleasing laughter of
|
||
|
faith, like Abraham's
|
||
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+17:17"><I>ch.</I> xvii. 17</A>),
|
||
|
but it was
|
||
|
a laughter of doubting and mistrust. Note,
|
||
|
The same thing may be done from very different
|
||
|
principles, of which God only, who
|
||
|
|
||
|
<A NAME="Page117"> </A>
|
||
|
|
||
|
knows the heart, can judge. The great objection
|
||
|
which Sarah could not get over was
|
||
|
her age: "<I>I am waxed old,</I> and past childbearing
|
||
|
in the course of nature, especially
|
||
|
having been hitherto barren, and (which
|
||
|
magnifies the difficulty) <I>my lord is old also.</I>"
|
||
|
Observe here,
|
||
|
|
||
|
1. Sarah calls Abraham her
|
||
|
<I>lord;</I> it was the only good word in this saying,
|
||
|
and the Holy Ghost takes notice of it to
|
||
|
her honour, and recommends it to the imitation
|
||
|
of all Christian wives.
|
||
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+3:6">1 Pet. iii. 6</A>,
|
||
|
<I>Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord,</I> in
|
||
|
token of respect and subjection. Thus must
|
||
|
the wife reverence her husband,
|
||
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+5:33">Eph. v. 33</A>.
|
||
|
And thus must we be apt to take notice of
|
||
|
what is spoken decently and well, to the honour
|
||
|
of those that speak it, though it may be
|
||
|
mixed with that which is amiss, over which
|
||
|
we should cast a mantle of love.
|
||
|
|
||
|
2. Human
|
||
|
improbability often sets up in contradiction
|
||
|
to the divine promise. The objections of
|
||
|
sense are very apt to stumble and puzzle the
|
||
|
weak faith even of true believers. It is hard
|
||
|
to cleave to the first Cause, when second
|
||
|
causes frown.
|
||
|
|
||
|
3. Even where there is true
|
||
|
faith, yet there are often sore conflicts with unbelief,
|
||
|
Sarah could say, <I>Lord, I believe</I>
|
||
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+11:11">Heb. xi. 11</A>),
|
||
|
and yet must say, <I>Lord, help my unbelief.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
IV. The angel reproves the indecent expressions
|
||
|
of her distrust,
|
||
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+18:13,14"><I>v.</I> 13, 14</A>.
|
||
|
Observe,
|
||
|
|
||
|
1. Though Sarah was now most kindly and
|
||
|
generously entertaining these angels, yet,
|
||
|
when she did amiss, they reproved her for it,
|
||
|
as Christ reproved Martha in her own house,
|
||
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+10:40,41">Luke x. 40, 41</A>.
|
||
|
If our friends be kind to
|
||
|
us, we must not therefore be so unkind to
|
||
|
them as to suffer sin upon them. 2. God
|
||
|
gave this reproof to Sarah by Abraham her
|
||
|
husband. To him he said, <I>Why did Sarah
|
||
|
laugh?</I> perhaps because he had not told
|
||
|
her of the promise which had been given him
|
||
|
some time before to this purport, and which,
|
||
|
if he had communicated it to her with its ratifications,
|
||
|
would have prevented her from
|
||
|
being so surprised now. Or Abraham was
|
||
|
told of it that he might tell her of it. Mutual
|
||
|
reproof, when there is occasion for it, is one
|
||
|
of the duties of the conjugal relation.
|
||
|
|
||
|
3. The
|
||
|
reproof itself is plain, and backed with a good
|
||
|
reason: <I>Wherefore did Sarah laugh?</I> Note,
|
||
|
It is good to enquire into the reason of our
|
||
|
laughter, that it may not be the laughter of
|
||
|
the fool,
|
||
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+7:6">Eccl. vii. 6</A>.
|
||
|
"Wherefore did I
|
||
|
laugh?" Again, Our unbelief and distrust
|
||
|
are a great offence to the God of heaven.
|
||
|
He justly takes it ill to have the objections
|
||
|
of sense set up in contradiction to his promise,
|
||
|
as
|
||
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+1:18">Luke i. 18</A>.
|
||
|
|
||
|
4. Here is a question
|
||
|
asked which is enough to answer all the cavils
|
||
|
of flesh and blood: <I>Is any thing too hard for
|
||
|
the Lord?</I> (Heb. <I>too wonderful</I>), that is,
|
||
|
|
||
|
(1.) Is any thing so secret as to escape his cognizance?
|
||
|
No, not Sarah's laughing, though
|
||
|
it was only <I>within herself.</I> Or,
|
||
|
|
||
|
(2.) Is any
|
||
|
thing so difficult as to exceed his power? No,
|
||
|
not the giving of a child to Sarah in her old age.</P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
V. Sarah foolishly endeavours to conceal
|
||
|
her fault
|
||
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+18:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>):
|
||
|
<I>She denied, saying, I did
|
||
|
not laugh,</I> thinking nobody could contradict
|
||
|
her: she told this lie, because <I>she was afraid;</I>
|
||
|
but it was in vain to attempt concealing it
|
||
|
from an all-seeing eye; she was told, to her
|
||
|
shame, <I>Thou didst laugh.</I> Now,
|
||
|
|
||
|
1. There
|
||
|
seems to be in Sarah a retraction of her distrust.
|
||
|
Now she perceived, by laying circumstances
|
||
|
together, that it was a divine promise
|
||
|
which had been made concerning her, she
|
||
|
renounced all doubting distrustful thoughts
|
||
|
about it. But,
|
||
|
|
||
|
2. There was withal a sinful
|
||
|
attempt to cover a sin with a lie. It is a
|
||
|
shame to do amiss, but a greater shame to
|
||
|
deny it; for thereby we add iniquity to our
|
||
|
iniquity. Fear of a rebuke often betrays us
|
||
|
into this snare. See
|
||
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+57:11">Isa. lvii. 11</A>,
|
||
|
<I>Whom hast
|
||
|
thou feared, that thou hast lied?</I> But we deceive
|
||
|
ourselves if we think to impose upon
|
||
|
God; he can and will bring truth to light, to
|
||
|
our shame. <I>He that covers his sin cannot prosper,</I>
|
||
|
for the day is coming which will discover it.</P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
<A NAME="Ge18_16"> </A>
|
||
|
<A NAME="Ge18_17"> </A>
|
||
|
<A NAME="Ge18_18"> </A>
|
||
|
<A NAME="Ge18_19"> </A>
|
||
|
<A NAME="Ge18_20"> </A>
|
||
|
<A NAME="Ge18_21"> </A>
|
||
|
<A NAME="Ge18_22"> </A>
|
||
|
|
||
|
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
|
||
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Abraham's Interview with God.</I></FONT></TD>
|
||
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1898.</TD></TR>
|
||
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
||
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
||
|
<P>
|
||
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>16 And the men rose up from thence,
|
||
|
and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham
|
||
|
went with them to bring them
|
||
|
on the way.
|
||
|
17 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> said,
|
||
|
Shall I hide from Abraham that thing
|
||
|
which I do;
|
||
|
18 Seeing that Abraham
|
||
|
shall surely become a great and
|
||
|
mighty nation, and all the nations of
|
||
|
the earth shall be blessed in him?
|
||
|
19 For I know him, that he will command
|
||
|
his children and his household
|
||
|
after him, and they shall keep the
|
||
|
way of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, to do justice and
|
||
|
judgment; that the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> may bring
|
||
|
upon Abraham that which he hath
|
||
|
spoken of him.
|
||
|
20 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> said,
|
||
|
Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah
|
||
|
is great, and because their
|
||
|
sin is very grievous;
|
||
|
21 I will go
|
||
|
down now, and see whether they have
|
||
|
done altogether according to the cry
|
||
|
of it, which is come unto me; and if
|
||
|
not, I will know.
|
||
|
22 And the men
|
||
|
turned their faces from thence, and
|
||
|
went toward Sodom: but Abraham
|
||
|
stood yet before the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
|
||
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
The messengers from heaven had now
|
||
|
despatched one part of their business, which
|
||
|
was an errand of grace to Abraham and Sarah,
|
||
|
and which they delivered first; but now they
|
||
|
have before them work of another nature.
|
||
|
Sodom is to be destroyed, and they must do
|
||
|
it,
|
||
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+19:13"><I>ch.</I> xix. 13</A>.
|
||
|
Note, As with the Lord there
|
||
|
is mercy, so he is the God to whom vengeance
|
||
|
belongs. Pursuant to their commission, we
|
||
|
here find,
|
||
|
|
||
|
1. That <I>they looked towards Sodom</I>
|
||
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+18:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>);
|
||
|
they set their faces against it in wrath,
|
||
|
as God is said to look unto the host of the
|
||
|
Egyptians,
|
||
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+14:24">Exod. xiv. 24</A>.
|
||
|
Note, Though
|
||
|
|
||
|
<A NAME="Page118"> </A>
|
||
|
|
||
|
God has long seemed to connive at sinners,
|
||
|
from which they have inferred that the Lord
|
||
|
does not see, does not regard, yet, when the
|
||
|
day of his wrath comes, he will look towards
|
||
|
them.
|
||
|
|
||
|
2. That they <I>went towards Sodom</I>
|
||
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+18:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>),
|
||
|
and accordingly we find two of them
|
||
|
at Sodom,
|
||
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+19:1"><I>ch.</I> xix. 1</A>.
|
||
|
Whether the third was
|
||
|
the Lord, before whom Abraham yet stood,
|
||
|
and to whom he drew near
|
||
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+18:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>),
|
||
|
as most
|
||
|
think, or whether the third left them before
|
||
|
they came to Sodom, and the Lord before
|
||
|
whom Abraham stood was the <I>shechinah,</I> or
|
||
|
that appearance of the divine glory which
|
||
|
Abraham had formerly seen and conversed
|
||
|
with, is uncertain. However, we have here,</P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
I. The honour Abraham did to his guests:
|
||
|
<I>He went with them to bring them on the way,</I>
|
||
|
as one that was loth to part with such good
|
||
|
company, and was desirous to pay his utmost
|
||
|
respects to them. This is a piece of civility
|
||
|
proper to be shown to our friends; but it
|
||
|
must be done as the apostle directs
|
||
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=3Jo+1:6">3 John 6</A>),
|
||
|
<I>after a godly sort.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
II. The honour they did to him; for those
|
||
|
that honour God he will honour. God communicated
|
||
|
to Abraham his purpose to destroy
|
||
|
Sodom, and not only so, but entered into a
|
||
|
free conference with him about it. Having
|
||
|
taken him, more closely than before, into
|
||
|
covenant with himself
|
||
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+17:1-23"><I>ch.</I> xvii.</A>),
|
||
|
he here admits
|
||
|
him into more intimate communion with
|
||
|
himself than ever, as the man of his counsel.
|
||
|
Observe here,</P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
1. God's friendly thoughts concerning
|
||
|
Abraham,
|
||
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+18:17-19"><I>v.</I> 17-19</A>,
|
||
|
where we have his resolution
|
||
|
to make known to Abraham his purpose
|
||
|
concerning Sodom, with the reasons of
|
||
|
it. If Abraham had not brought them on
|
||
|
their way, perhaps he would not have been
|
||
|
thus favoured; but he that loves to walk
|
||
|
with wise men shall be wise,
|
||
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+13:20">Prov. xiii. 20</A>.
|
||
|
See how God is pleased to argue with himself:
|
||
|
<I>Shall I hide from Abraham</I> (or, as some
|
||
|
read it, <I>Am I concealing from Abraham</I>) <I>that
|
||
|
thing which I do?</I> "Can I go about such a
|
||
|
thing, and not tell Abraham?" Thus does
|
||
|
God, in his counsels, express himself, after
|
||
|
the manner of men, with deliberation. But
|
||
|
why must Abraham be of the cabinet-council?
|
||
|
The Jews suggest that because God had
|
||
|
granted the land of Canaan to Abraham and
|
||
|
his seed therefore he would not destroy those
|
||
|
cities which were a part of that land, without
|
||
|
his knowledge and consent. But God here
|
||
|
gives two other reasons:--</P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
(1.) Abraham must know, for he is a friend
|
||
|
and a favourite, and one that God has a particular
|
||
|
kindness for and great things in store
|
||
|
for. He is to become a great nation; and
|
||
|
not only so, but in the Messiah, who is to
|
||
|
come from his loins, <I>All nations of the earth
|
||
|
shall be blessed.</I> Note, <I>The secret of the Lord
|
||
|
is with those that fear him,</I>
|
||
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+25:14,Pr+3:32">Ps. xxv. 14; Prov. iii. 32</A>.
|
||
|
Those who by faith live a life of
|
||
|
communion with God cannot but know more
|
||
|
of his mind than other people, though not
|
||
|
with a prophetical, yet with a prudential
|
||
|
practical knowledge. They have a better
|
||
|
insight than others into what is present
|
||
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+14:9,Ps+107:43">Hos. xiv. 9; Ps. cvii. 43</A>),
|
||
|
and a better foresight
|
||
|
of what is to come, at least so much as suffices
|
||
|
for their guidance and for their comfort.</P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
(2.) Abraham must know, for he will teach
|
||
|
his household: <I>I know Abraham</I> very well,
|
||
|
that <I>he will command his children and his
|
||
|
household after him,</I>
|
||
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+18:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
|
||
|
Consider this,
|
||
|
|
||
|
[1.] As a very bright part of Abraham's
|
||
|
character and example. He not only prayed
|
||
|
with his family, but he taught them as a
|
||
|
man of knowledge, nay, he commanded them as a
|
||
|
man in authority, and was prophet and
|
||
|
king, as well as priest, in his own house.
|
||
|
Observe, <I>First,</I> God having made the covenant
|
||
|
with him and his seed, and his household
|
||
|
being circumcised pursuant to that, he
|
||
|
was very careful to teach and rule them well.
|
||
|
Those that expect family blessings must
|
||
|
make conscience of family duty. If our
|
||
|
children be the Lord's, they must be nursed
|
||
|
for him; if they wear his livery, they must
|
||
|
be trained up in his work. <I>Secondly,</I> Abraham
|
||
|
took care not only of his children, but
|
||
|
of his household; his servants were catechized
|
||
|
servants. Masters of families should
|
||
|
instruct and inspect the manners of all under
|
||
|
their roof. The poorest servants have precious
|
||
|
souls that must be looked after. <I>Thirdly,</I>
|
||
|
Abraham made it his care and business to
|
||
|
promote practical religion in his family. He
|
||
|
did not fill their heads with matters of nice
|
||
|
speculation, or doubtful disputation; but he
|
||
|
taught them to keep <I>the way of the Lord, and
|
||
|
to do judgment and justice,</I> that is, to be serious
|
||
|
and devout in the worship of God and to be
|
||
|
honest in their dealings with all men. <I>Fourthly,</I>
|
||
|
Abraham, herein, had an eye to posterity,
|
||
|
and was in care not only that his household
|
||
|
with him, but that his household after him,
|
||
|
should keep the way of the Lord, that religion
|
||
|
might flourish in his family when he
|
||
|
was in his grave. <I>Fifthly,</I> His doing this
|
||
|
was the fulfilling of the conditions of the
|
||
|
promises which God had made him. Those
|
||
|
only can expect the benefit of the promises
|
||
|
that make conscience of their duty.
|
||
|
|
||
|
[2.] As
|
||
|
the reason why God would make known to
|
||
|
him his purpose concerning Sodom, because
|
||
|
he was communicative of his knowledge, and
|
||
|
improved it for the benefit of those that were
|
||
|
under his charge. Note, To him that hath
|
||
|
shall be given,
|
||
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+13:12,25:29">Matt. xiii. 12; xxv. 29</A>.
|
||
|
Those that make a good use of their knowledge
|
||
|
shall know more.</P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
2. God's friendly talk with Abraham, in
|
||
|
which he makes known to him purpose
|
||
|
concerning Sodom, and allows him a liberty
|
||
|
of application to him about the matter.
|
||
|
|
||
|
(1.) He tells him of the evidence there was against
|
||
|
Sodom: <I>The cry of Sodom is great,</I>
|
||
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+18:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>.
|
||
|
Note, Some sins, and the sins of some sinners,
|
||
|
cry aloud to heaven for vengeance.
|
||
|
The iniquity of Sodom was crying iniquity,
|
||
|
that is, it was so very provoking that it even
|
||
|
urged God to punish.
|
||
|
|
||
|
(2.) The enquiry he
|
||
|
|
||
|
<A NAME="Page119"> </A>
|
||
|
|
||
|
would make upon this evidence: <I>I will go
|
||
|
down now and see,</I>
|
||
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+18:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>.
|
||
|
Not as if there were
|
||
|
any thing concerning which God is in doubt,
|
||
|
or in the dark; but he is pleased thus to
|
||
|
express himself after the manner of men,
|
||
|
|
||
|
[1.] To show the incontestable equity of all
|
||
|
his judicial proceedings. Men are apt to
|
||
|
suggest that his way is not equal; but let
|
||
|
them know that his judgments are the result
|
||
|
of an eternal counsel, and are never rash or
|
||
|
sudden resolves. He never punishes upon
|
||
|
report, or common fame, or the information
|
||
|
of others, but upon his own certain and
|
||
|
infallible knowledge.
|
||
|
|
||
|
[2.] To give example
|
||
|
to magistrates, and those in authority, with
|
||
|
the utmost care and diligence to enquire into
|
||
|
the merits of a cause, before they give judgment
|
||
|
upon it.
|
||
|
|
||
|
[3.] Perhaps the decree is
|
||
|
here spoken of as not yet peremptory, that
|
||
|
room and encouragement might be given to
|
||
|
Abraham to make intercession for them.
|
||
|
Thus God looked if there were any to intercede,
|
||
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+59:16">Isa. lix. 16</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
<A NAME="Ge18_23"> </A>
|
||
|
<A NAME="Ge18_24"> </A>
|
||
|
<A NAME="Ge18_25"> </A>
|
||
|
<A NAME="Ge18_26"> </A>
|
||
|
<A NAME="Ge18_27"> </A>
|
||
|
<A NAME="Ge18_28"> </A>
|
||
|
<A NAME="Ge18_29"> </A>
|
||
|
<A NAME="Ge18_30"> </A>
|
||
|
<A NAME="Ge18_31"> </A>
|
||
|
<A NAME="Ge18_32"> </A>
|
||
|
<A NAME="Ge18_33"> </A>
|
||
|
|
||
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
||
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
||
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Abraham's Intercession for Sodom.</I></FONT></TD>
|
||
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1898.</TD></TR>
|
||
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
||
|
</TABLE>
|
||
|
|
||
|
<P>
|
||
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>23 And Abraham drew near, and
|
||
|
said, Wilt thou also destroy the
|
||
|
righteous with the wicked?
|
||
|
24 Peradventure
|
||
|
there be fifty righteous
|
||
|
within the city: wilt thou also destroy
|
||
|
and not spare the place for the
|
||
|
fifty righteous that <I>are</I> therein?
|
||
|
25 That be far from thee to do after this
|
||
|
manner, to slay the righteous with
|
||
|
the wicked: and that the righteous
|
||
|
should be as the wicked, that be far
|
||
|
from thee: Shall not the Judge of all
|
||
|
the earth do right?
|
||
|
26 And the
|
||
|
L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> said, If I find in Sodom fifty
|
||
|
righteous within the city, then I will
|
||
|
spare all the place for their sakes.
|
||
|
27 And Abraham answered and said,
|
||
|
Behold now, I have taken upon me
|
||
|
to speak unto the Lord, which <I>am but</I>
|
||
|
dust and ashes:
|
||
|
28 Peradventure
|
||
|
there shall lack five of the fifty righteous:
|
||
|
wilt thou destroy all the city
|
||
|
for <I>lack of</I> five? And he said, If I
|
||
|
find there forty and five, I will not
|
||
|
destroy <I>it.</I>
|
||
|
29 And he spake unto
|
||
|
him yet again, and said, Peradventure
|
||
|
there shall be forty found there. And
|
||
|
he said, I will not do <I>it</I> for forty's
|
||
|
sake.
|
||
|
30 And he said <I>unto him,</I> Oh
|
||
|
let not the Lord be angry, and I will
|
||
|
speak: Peradventure there shall thirty
|
||
|
be found there. And he said, I will
|
||
|
not do <I>it,</I> if I find thirty there.
|
||
|
31 And he said, Behold now, I have taken
|
||
|
upon me to speak unto the Lord:
|
||
|
Peradventure there shall be twenty
|
||
|
found there. And he said, I will not
|
||
|
destroy <I>it</I> for twenty's sake.
|
||
|
32 And
|
||
|
he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry,
|
||
|
and I will speak yet but this once:
|
||
|
Peradventure ten shall be found there.
|
||
|
And he said, I will not destroy <I>it</I> for
|
||
|
ten's sake.
|
||
|
33 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> went
|
||
|
his way, as soon as he had left communing
|
||
|
with Abraham: and Abraham
|
||
|
returned unto his place.
|
||
|
</FONT></P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
Communion with God is kept up by the
|
||
|
word and by prayer. In the word God
|
||
|
speaks to us; in prayer we speak to him.
|
||
|
God had revealed to Abraham his purposes
|
||
|
concerning Sodom; now from this Abraham
|
||
|
takes occasion to speak to God on Sodom's
|
||
|
behalf. Note, God's word then does us good
|
||
|
when it furnishes us with matter for prayer
|
||
|
and excites us to it. When God has spoken to
|
||
|
us, we must consider what we have to say
|
||
|
to him upon it. Observe,</P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
I. The solemnity of Abraham's address to
|
||
|
God on this occasion: <I>Abraham drew near,</I>
|
||
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+18:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
|
||
|
The expression intimates,
|
||
|
|
||
|
1. A holy
|
||
|
concern: <I>He engaged his heart</I> to approach
|
||
|
to God,
|
||
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+30:21">Jer. xxx. 21</A>.
|
||
|
"Shall Sodom be
|
||
|
destroyed, and I not speak one good word for
|
||
|
it?"
|
||
|
|
||
|
2. A holy confidence: He drew near
|
||
|
<I>with an assurance of faith,</I> drew near <I>as a
|
||
|
prince,</I>
|
||
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+31:37">Job xxxi. 37</A>.
|
||
|
Note, When we address
|
||
|
ourselves to the duty of prayer, we ought to
|
||
|
remember that we are drawing near to God,
|
||
|
that we may be filled with a reverence of him,
|
||
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+10:3">Lev. x. 3</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
II. The general scope of this prayer. It
|
||
|
is the first solemn prayer we have upon record
|
||
|
in the Bible; and it is a prayer for the
|
||
|
sparing of Sodom. Abraham, no doubt, greatly
|
||
|
abhorred the wickedness of the Sodomites;
|
||
|
he would not have lived among them, as Lot
|
||
|
did, if they would have given him the best
|
||
|
estate in their country; and yet he prayed
|
||
|
earnestly for them. Note, Though sin is to
|
||
|
be hated, sinners are to be pitied and prayed
|
||
|
for. God delights not in their death, nor
|
||
|
should we desire, but deprecate, the woeful
|
||
|
day.
|
||
|
|
||
|
1. He begins with a prayer that the
|
||
|
righteous among them might be spared, and
|
||
|
not involved in the common calamity, having
|
||
|
an eye particularly to just Lot, whose disingenuous
|
||
|
carriage towards him he had long
|
||
|
since forgiven and forgotten, witness his
|
||
|
friendly zeal to rescue him before by his
|
||
|
sword and now by his prayers.
|
||
|
|
||
|
2. He improves
|
||
|
this into a petition that all might be
|
||
|
spared for the sake of the righteous that were
|
||
|
among them, God himself countenancing
|
||
|
this request, and in effect putting him upon
|
||
|
it by his answer to his first address,
|
||
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+18:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>.
|
||
|
Note, We must pray, not only for ourselves,
|
||
|
but for others also; for we are members of
|
||
|
the same body, at least of the same body of
|
||
|
mankind. <I>All we are brethren.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
III. The particular graces eminent in this
|
||
|
prayer.</P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
<A NAME="Page120"> </A>
|
||
|
|
||
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
1. Here is great faith; and it is the prayer
|
||
|
of faith that is the prevailing prayer. His
|
||
|
faith pleads with God, orders the cause, and
|
||
|
fills his mouth with arguments. He acts
|
||
|
faith especially upon the righteousness of
|
||
|
God, and is very confident.</P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
(1.) That God will not <I>destroy the righteous
|
||
|
with the wicked,</I>
|
||
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+18:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
|
||
|
No, <I>that be far from
|
||
|
thee,</I>
|
||
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+18:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>.
|
||
|
We must never entertain any
|
||
|
thought that derogates from the honour of
|
||
|
God's righteousness. See
|
||
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+3:5,6">Rom. iii. 5, 6</A>.
|
||
|
Note,
|
||
|
|
||
|
[1.] The righteous are mingled with
|
||
|
the wicked in this world. Among the best
|
||
|
there are, commonly, some bad, and among
|
||
|
the worst some good: even in Sodom, one
|
||
|
Lot.
|
||
|
|
||
|
[2.] Though the righteous be among
|
||
|
the wicked, yet the righteous God will not,
|
||
|
certainly he will not, destroy the righteous with
|
||
|
the wicked. Though in this world they may
|
||
|
be involved in the same common calamities,
|
||
|
yet in the great day a distinction with be made.</P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
(2.) That the righteous shall not <I>be as the
|
||
|
wicked,</I>
|
||
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+18:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>.
|
||
|
Though they may suffer with
|
||
|
them, yet they do not suffer like them.
|
||
|
Common calamities are quite another thing
|
||
|
to the righteous than what they are to the
|
||
|
wicked,
|
||
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+27:7">Isa. xxvii. 7</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
(3.) That <I>the Judge of all the earth will do
|
||
|
right;</I> undoubtedly he will, because he is
|
||
|
the Judge of all the earth; it is the apostle's
|
||
|
argument,
|
||
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+3:5,6">Rom. iii. 5, 6</A>.
|
||
|
Note,
|
||
|
|
||
|
[1.] God is
|
||
|
the Judge of all the earth; he gives charge
|
||
|
to all, takes cognizance of all, and will pass
|
||
|
sentence upon all.
|
||
|
|
||
|
[2.] That God Almighty
|
||
|
never did nor ever will do any wrong to any
|
||
|
of the creatures, either by withholding that
|
||
|
which is right or by exacting more than is
|
||
|
right,
|
||
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:10,11">Job xxxiv. 10, 11</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
2. Here is great humility.</P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
(1.) A deep sense of his own unworthiness
|
||
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+18:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>):
|
||
|
<I>Behold now, I have taken upon me to
|
||
|
speak unto the Lord, who am but dust and
|
||
|
ashes;</I> and again,
|
||
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+18:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>.
|
||
|
He speaks as one
|
||
|
amazed at his own boldness, and the liberty
|
||
|
God graciously allowed him, considering
|
||
|
God's greatness--he is <I>the Lord;</I> and his
|
||
|
own meanness--<I>but dust and ashes.</I> Note,
|
||
|
|
||
|
[1.] The greatest of men, the most considerable
|
||
|
and deserving, are but dust and
|
||
|
ashes, mean and vile before God, despicable,
|
||
|
frail, and dying.
|
||
|
|
||
|
[2.] Whenever we draw
|
||
|
near to God, it becomes us reverently to
|
||
|
acknowledge the vast distance that there is
|
||
|
between us and God. He is the Lord of
|
||
|
glory, we are worms of the earth.
|
||
|
|
||
|
[3.] The
|
||
|
access we have to the throne of grace, and
|
||
|
the freedom of speech allowed us, are just
|
||
|
matter of humble wonder,
|
||
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:18">2 Sam. vii. 18</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
(2.) An awful dread of God's displeasure:
|
||
|
<I>O let not the Lord be angry</I>
|
||
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+18:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>),
|
||
|
and again,
|
||
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+18:32"><I>v.</I> 32</A>.
|
||
|
Note,
|
||
|
|
||
|
[1.] The importunity which
|
||
|
believers use in their addresses to God is
|
||
|
such that, if they were dealing with a man
|
||
|
like themselves, they could not but fear that
|
||
|
he would be angry with them. But he with
|
||
|
whom we have to do is <I>God and not man;</I>
|
||
|
and, whoever he may seem, is not really
|
||
|
<I>angry with the prayers of the upright</I>
|
||
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+80:4">Ps. lxxx. 4</A>),
|
||
|
for they are <I>his delight</I>
|
||
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+15:8">Prov. xv. 8</A>),
|
||
|
and he is pleased when he is wrestled
|
||
|
with.
|
||
|
|
||
|
[2.] That even when we receive special
|
||
|
tokens of the divine favour we ought to
|
||
|
be jealous over ourselves, lest we make ourselves
|
||
|
obnoxious to the divine displeasure;
|
||
|
and therefore we must bring the Mediator
|
||
|
with us in the arms of our faith, to atone
|
||
|
for <I>the iniquity of our holy things.</I></P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
3. Here is great charity.
|
||
|
|
||
|
(1.) A charitable
|
||
|
opinion of Sodom's character: as bad as it
|
||
|
was, he thought there were several good
|
||
|
people in it. It becomes us to hope the best
|
||
|
of the worst places. Of the two it is better
|
||
|
to err in that extreme.
|
||
|
|
||
|
(2.) A charitable
|
||
|
desire of Sodom's welfare: he used all his
|
||
|
interest at the throne of grace for mercy for
|
||
|
them. We never find him thus earnest in
|
||
|
pleading with God for himself and his family,
|
||
|
as here for Sodom.</P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
4. Here are great boldness and believing
|
||
|
confidence.
|
||
|
|
||
|
(1.) He took the liberty to pitch
|
||
|
upon a certain number of righteous ones
|
||
|
which he supposed might be in Sodom.
|
||
|
Suppose there be fifty,
|
||
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+18:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>.
|
||
|
|
||
|
(2.) He advanced
|
||
|
upon God's concessions, again and
|
||
|
again. As God granted much, he still
|
||
|
begged more, with the hope of gaining his
|
||
|
point.
|
||
|
|
||
|
(3.) He brought the terms as low as
|
||
|
he could for shame (having prevailed for
|
||
|
mercy if there were but ten righteous ones
|
||
|
in five cities), and perhaps so low that he
|
||
|
concluded they would have been spared.</P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
IV. The success of the prayer. He that
|
||
|
thus wrestled prevailed wonderfully; as a
|
||
|
prince he had power with God: it was but
|
||
|
ask and have.
|
||
|
|
||
|
1. God's general good-will
|
||
|
appears in this, that he consented to spare
|
||
|
the wicked for the sake of the righteous.
|
||
|
See how swift God is to show mercy; he
|
||
|
even seeks a reason for it. See what great
|
||
|
blessings good people are to any place, and
|
||
|
how little those befriend themselves that
|
||
|
hate and persecute them.
|
||
|
|
||
|
2. His particular
|
||
|
favour to Abraham appeared in this, that he
|
||
|
did not leave off granting till Abraham left
|
||
|
off asking. Such is the power of prayer.
|
||
|
Why then did Abraham leave off asking,
|
||
|
when he had prevailed so far as to get the
|
||
|
place spared it there were but ten righteous
|
||
|
in it? Either,
|
||
|
|
||
|
(1.) Because he owned that
|
||
|
it deserved to be destroyed if there were not
|
||
|
so many; <I>as the dresser of the vineyard,</I> who
|
||
|
consented that the barren tree should be cut
|
||
|
down if one year's trial more did not make
|
||
|
it fruitful,
|
||
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+13:9">Luke xiii. 9</A>.
|
||
|
Or,
|
||
|
|
||
|
(2.) Because
|
||
|
God restrained his spirit from asking any
|
||
|
further. When God has determined the
|
||
|
ruin of a place, he forbids it to be prayed
|
||
|
for,
|
||
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+7:16,11:14,14:11">Jer. vii. 16; xi. 14; xiv. 11</A>.</P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
<P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
V. Here is the breaking up of the conference,
|
||
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+18:33"><I>v.</I> 33</A>.
|
||
|
|
||
|
1. <I>The Lord went his way.</I>
|
||
|
The visions of God must not be constant in
|
||
|
this world, where it is by faith only that we
|
||
|
are to set God before us. God did not go
|
||
|
away till Abraham had said all he had to
|
||
|
|
||
|
<A NAME="Page121"> </A>
|
||
|
|
||
|
say; for he is never weary of hearing prayer,
|
||
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+59:1,2">Isa. lix. 1. 2</A>.
|
||
|
<I>Abraham returned unto his
|
||
|
place,</I> not puffed up with the honour done
|
||
|
him, nor by these extraordinary interviews
|
||
|
taken off from the ordinary course of duty.
|
||
|
He returned to his place to observe what
|
||
|
that event would be; and it proved that his
|
||
|
prayer was heard, and yet Sodom was not
|
||
|
spared, because there were not ten righteous
|
||
|
in it. We cannot expect too little from man
|
||
|
nor too much from God.</P>
|
||
|
|
||
|
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