Genesis 18:17 And the Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? (referring to 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.)
The Lord has just brought joyful news to both Abraham and Sarah. Abraham was jubilant. He got to see the Lord again and talk with Him. His wife finally had an encounter with the Lord herself. This confirms all that Abraham had been saying to her over the years. And he was finally going to have a son! The one that God promised to him!
But the Lord’s task was not done. Verse 16, "And the men rose up from thence, and looked towards Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way."
Abraham was elated at the prospect of having a son within the year. He was very thankful and wanted to walk with the men (the Lord) part way on the journey. As they are walking, the men start to discuss whether they should tell Abraham what their next task was. They reasoned that all nations will be blessed in Abraham so let’s let him in on it. Abraham was trustworthy. His character had been proven. Verse 19, “ For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.”
The Lord and the “men” were finding the reason to bring Abraham into confidence with them. They knew he would be the father of the nation of Israel. We see that in the New Testament that Abraham is revered and used as an example to follow. He was also called “the friend of God.”
They were headed down to Sodom and Gomorrah because of the sin there was very grievous. They had in mind to destroy the cities. But Abraham stood in front of them and pleaded for the righteous people of the city. He was thinking of his nephew Lot and his family. But he also knew there was wickedness in there. He had his chance to possibly save some people who didn’t deserve to die with the others (like innocent children). Abraham spoke for those who could not speak for themselves. He pleaded with the Lord and had the utmost respect for Him while doing so. Abraham knew the Lord was merciful and kind. He also knew the people of Sodom and Gomorrah were very wicked. They agreed that for the sake of ten righteous, He would not destroy the city.
We know that the city got destroyed and that Lot and his family were led out safely. (for the time being)
"Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do…?"
Abraham had a long-standing, solid relationship with God. His immediate obedience to God’s calling and direction for him paid off here. He was trusted with information about the plan that the Lord was going to carry out. Not in his own life, but now in the lives of others close by.
I just came from the funeral of a good man. The mood of this funeral was unlike any I have ever witnessed. The family were mourning, but they had strength to stand up, each of his grown children and propound on the virtues of their “Daddy.” All said they had no regrets! All said that he was their hero and that none could remember an unkind word spoken to them. They said he was the twice the man at home as he was outside the home! He read scripture to them everyday of their lives. He was a pastor, and they all said his sermons were their favorites. There was so much agreement between the four of them, that it was uncanny and very convicting to us as the audience. We knew the man, but they really knew him. You could see and hear the cohesiveness between the members of his family. “He loved well” they said. There were no short stories of special times they had to share about him, just the real, every day life with their dad. He was big into the small things. They each said it was the little things that mattered. How gentle he was with each of them. How he loved and supported his wife. How he was ready to be a part of their lives in any way he could. This is the best example of a life well-lived that I had ever witnessed.
This is the kind of man that the Lord would trust with his plans. One that was immediately obedient in the small things. A man of great character.
Would God ask this about you? Shall I hide from (your name) that thing which I do, since I have called (your name) to become great…?
Would God trust you with the responsibility that he trusted Abraham with? He trusted him to respond to and obey His commands. Abraham proved himself worthy throughout the years when he trusted God in His promises when it was an impossibility to see the outcome: Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation.
Are you listening to the promises of God for your life? Are you being faithful in the little things that are before you today? Would God say of you, “for I know you, that you will command your children and your household after you, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon you that which he hath spoken of you?
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