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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Genesis, Chapter XVIII].</TITLE>
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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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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</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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<!-- (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
|
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common providence believers have from the
|
|
promise, which makes them very sweet and
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very sure.
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2. The spiritual seed of Abraham
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owe their life, and joy, and hope, and all, to
|
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the promise. They are born by the word of
|
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God,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+1:23">1 Pet. i. 23</A>.</P>
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<P>
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III. Sarah thinks this too good news to be
|
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true, and therefore cannot as yet find in her
|
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heart to believe it: <I>Sarah laughed within herself,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+18:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
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It was not a pleasing laughter of
|
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faith, like Abraham's
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+17:17"><I>ch.</I> xvii. 17</A>),
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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
|
|
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|
<A NAME="Page117"> </A>
|
|
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|
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,
|
|
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|
1. Sarah calls Abraham her
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|
<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.
|
|
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|
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.
|
|
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|
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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