Strangers Came To
Abraham
God conferred great honor upon Abraham. Angels of heaven walked and talked with him as friend with friend. When judgments were about to be visited upon Sodom, the fact was not hidden from him, and he became an intercessor with God for sinners. His interview with the angels presents also a beautiful example of hospitality.
In the hot summer noontide the patriarch was sitting in his tent door, looking out over the quiet landscape, when he saw in the distance three travelers approaching. Before reaching his tent, the strangers halted, as if consulting as to their course. Without waiting for them to solicit favors, Abraham rose quickly, and as they were apparently turning in another direction, he hastened after them, and with the utmost courtesy urged them to honor him by tarrying for refreshment. With his own hands he brought water that they might wash the dust of travel from their feet. He himself selected their food, and while they were at rest under the cooling shade, an entertainment was made ready, and he stood respectfully beside them while they partook of his hospitality. This act of courtesy God regarded of sufficient importance to record in His word; and a thousand years later it was referred to by an inspired apostle: "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." Hebrews 13:2.
Abraham had seen in his guests only three tired wayfarers, little thinking that among them was One whom he might worship without sin. But the true character of the heavenly messengers was now revealed. Though they were on their way as ministers of wrath, yet to Abraham, the man of faith, they spoke first of blessings. Though God is strict to mark iniquity and to punish transgression, He takes no delight in vengeance. The work of destruction is a "strange work" to Him who is infinite in love.
"The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him." Psalm 25:14. Abraham had honored God, and the Lord honored him, taking him into His counsels, and revealing to him His purposes. "Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do?" said the Lord. "The cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous, 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." God knew well the measure of Sodom's guilt; but He expressed Himself after the manner of men, that the justice of His dealings might be understood. Before bringing judgment upon the transgressors He would go Himself, to institute an examination of their course; if they had not passed the limits of divine mercy, He would still grant them space for repentance.
Two of the heavenly messengers departed, leaving Abraham alone with Him whom he now knew to be the Son of God. And the man of faith pleaded for the inhabitants of Sodom. Once he had saved them by his sword, now he endeavored to save them by prayer. Lot and his household were still dwellers there; and the unselfish love that prompted Abraham to their rescue from the Elamites, now sought to save them, if it were God's will, from the storm of divine judgment.
With deep reverence and humility he urged his plea: "I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes." There was no self-confidence, no boasting of his own righteousness. He did not claim favor on the ground of his obedience, or of the sacrifices he had made in doing God's will. Himself a sinner, he pleaded in the sinner's behalf. Such a spirit all who approach God should possess. Yet Abraham manifested the confidence of a child pleading with a loved father. He came close to the heavenly Messenger, and fervently urged his petition. Though Lot had become a dweller in Sodom, he did not partake in the iniquity of its inhabitants. Abraham thought that in that populous city there must be other worshipers of the true God.
And in view of this he pleaded, "That be far from Thee, to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: . . . that be far from Thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" Abraham asked not once merely, but many times. Waxing bolder as his requests were granted, he continued until he gained the assurance that if even ten righteous persons could be found in it, the city would be spared.
Love for perishing souls inspired Abraham's prayer. While he loathed the sins of that corrupt city, he desired that the sinners might be saved. His deep interest for Sodom shows the anxiety that we should feel for the impenitent. We should cherish hatred of sin, but pity and love for the sinner. All around us are souls going down to ruin as hopeless, as terrible, as that which befell Sodom. Every day the probation of some is closing. Every hour some are passing beyond the reach of mercy. And where are the voices of warning and entreaty to bid the sinner flee from this fearful doom? Where are the hands stretched out to draw him back from death? Where are those who with humility and persevering faith are pleading with God for him?
PP 138-140
- Home
- Work Earnestly
- Watchmen
- Came With You
- Prayer Of Faith
- Urgent Voice
- Co-operate With Angels
- No footprints In Snow
- Deliverance
- Ask And Share
- Dog Watched
- Trust Jesus
- Deliver From Prison
- Angel From Heaven
- Daughter's Prayer
- Angels Help Us
- Angel protection
- Angels Of God
- Angry Mob
- Angel's Hand
- Angel Over Tent
- Guided Philip
- Enthroned Amid Angels
- Attended By Angels
- Converse With Angels
- Train Wreck
- Work For Children
- Faithful
- Angels Watch
- Stormy Night
- Heavenly Messengers
- Gratitude
- Eyes Of Angels
- Angel Helpers
- The Very Angels
- Time Of Temptation
- William Miller
- Angels Sent
- Not Samuel
- Satan's Kingdom
- Mighty Truth
- Winds Of Strife
- Harmonious Work
- Deceptive Work
- Open Our Eyes
- Reward Of Holiness
- Study The Scriptures
- Abraham And Strangers
- Angel Host
- Sent His Angel
- Donkey Talks
- Poignant Pain
- Redemption
- Lord Is Risen
- Shining Cloud
- Resurrection
- Rival Powers
- Life Giver
- Unknown
- Moses
- Two Columns
- Answer To Prayer
- Christ Is Coming
- Same Jesus
- Nondis
- Angel Beside Me
- Runaway Horses
- Struck Thirteen
- Bushman Story
- Companion In Trouble
- Alone With Wolves
- The Angel's Hand
- Angel On Patrol
- Angels In Sierras
- Helped Lift
- Haiti
- Miracle In Boston
- In The Night
- Triple Blast
- Rustlers Prowl
- Awakened By Snake
- Helped By An Angel
- Walls Of Jericho
- Earthquake 1964
- Where's The House
- Rain And Flood
- Heaven's Modern Guard
- The Unseen
- Two-Week Hideout
- Liberty
- Poisoned In Tibet
- Three Dreams
- Tiger On The Trail
- Voice Of An Angel
- She Loved Her Lord
- Lost Carabao
- Angel In A Boat
- Dogs And More Dogs
- Vacation Brakes
- Angel Power
- Two Chairs
- Clock Struck Ten
- Touch Of Angel Hands
- So Many Lights
- Swords Of Straw
- Big Or Little
- Night Visitor
- Six Little Girls
- Credentials
- Only One Key
- In The Fire
- Twice Delivered
- All She Suffered
- Miraculous Deliverance
- Manna From Heaven
- The Ship's Crew
- Angel Report
- Persecutor To Persecuted
- James White
- Banks Closed
- Doing Here
- Do It Now
- Who Pushed The Car
- Only One Dollar
- Open The Prison
- Datu Dream
- In The Garden
- Twing
- Civil War
- God's Acre
- Fainting
- African Wilds