Genesis 18:1
IN THE PLAINS OF MAMRE] RV 'by the oaks of Mamre,' i.e. Hebron: cp. Genesis 13:18.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE PLAINS OF MAMRE] RV 'by the oaks of Mamre,' i.e. Hebron: cp. Genesis 13:18.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE VISIT OF THE ANGELS TO ABRAHAM. THE JUDGMENT OF SODOM ANNOUNCED. ABRAHAM INTERCEDES ON ITS BEHALF In this beautiful narrative the writer dwells on the unique revelations of God's purposes with which Abraham was favoured. In after times the patriarch received the title of 'the friend of God' (2 C... [ Continue Reading ]
THREE MEN] heavenly visitors, angels, as appears from Genesis 19:1. With one, God identifies Himself (Genesis 18:13).... [ Continue Reading ]
MY LORD] This was only a title of respect; it is not Lord, i.e. Jehovah. Abraham was entertaining angels unawares (Hebrews 13:2).... [ Continue Reading ]
The difficulty of procuring the necessaries of life when travelling in the East causes the duty of hospitality to be observed to an extent unknown to ourselves. Lane, in 'Modern Egyptians,' says that we have here a perfect picture of the manner in which a modern Bedawee sheikh receives travellers ar... [ Continue Reading ]
MEASURE] Heb. _Seah_, nearly a peck and half. From Matthew 13:33 it seems that three measures made a batch of bread. CAKES] thin biscuits of meal, baked on an iron plate on the heated hearthstone.... [ Continue Reading ]
A CALF] Owing to the hot climate only fresh meat can be used, but it is tender if cooked at once. Animal food is very rarely eaten except at festivities, or on the arrival of a distinguished visitor. A quick method usually practised is to broil slices of meat on skewers.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUTTER] rather, 'curdled milk,' which is very refreshing and still constantly drunk in Palestine and Arabia. Cp. Judges 5:25. The Arabs make butter by shaking cream in a leather bag: but owing to the heat it does not get firmly set.... [ Continue Reading ]
ACCORDING TO THE TIME OF LIFE] RV 'when the season cometh round,' 'at the time reviving,' i.e. 'when this time revives, a year from now' (D.): cp. 2 Kings 4:16; 2 Kings 4:17.... [ Continue Reading ]
LAUGHED] in unbelief, not in joy.... [ Continue Reading ]
IS ANY THING TOO HARD, etc.] Cp. the Angel Gabriel's words to Mary, 'With God nothing shall be impossible' (Luke 1:37). 17-21. God reveals to Abraham the purpose of the visit to Sodom. It was essential that His servant as founder of a great nation should understand God's dealings with nations gener... [ Continue Reading ]
I KNOW HIM, THAT HE WILL COMMAND] rather, 'I have known Him in order that He may command,' etc. To 'know' means to take notice of, regard. 'The mission of Israel was to preserve a pure faith and pure morals amid the corruptions of mankind till the Messiah should come.'... [ Continue Reading ]
CRY] i.e. evil report.... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL GO DOWN NOW, AND SEE] The expression means that in His visitations on men God acts with absolute justice and a perfect knowledge of all the circumstances. I WILL KNOW] the whole truth.... [ Continue Reading ]
STOOD YET BEFORE THE LORD] as if to stay His departure until he had interceded for Sodom, and especially with a thought for his kinsman Lot, who dwelt there. 23-32. We have here 'the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man,' humble, yet earnest, and even bold. In his anxious sympathy for others... [ Continue Reading ]