Chapter 18 of Genesis constitutes one of the most dramatic theophanies reported in the Bible, in which God, in the accompaniment of angels comes unexpected as the dinner guest of Abraham at Mamre.
It is reported that while he was sitting at the entrance of his tent, “Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.” Then, he offered them some water to refresh themselves, and something to eat, and while they were eating under a tree, they asked him where was his wife Sarah, and said, “I will surely return to you about this time nest year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.”
Abraham does not recognize God by the oaks of Mamre until the promise of a son is made. Only at that point does Abraham suspect that his visitors are heaven sent.
Abraham does not recognize God by the oaks of Mamre until the promise of a son is made. Only at that point does Abraham suspect that his visitors are heaven sent.
The relationship that exists among the three men and God is confusing, because although it is God who appears, it is reported in the first verse that Abraham sees three men. Also, in some verses all three men speak, whereas in others only God speaks.
Tradition is divided regarding this point. The three angels appear as a triple manifestation of God, and are thus identified by Christians as the Old Testament trinity. Other interpretations consider God to be only one of the three men.
Tradition is divided regarding this point. The three angels appear as a triple manifestation of God, and are thus identified by Christians as the Old Testament trinity. Other interpretations consider God to be only one of the three men.
The prediction of the birth of Sarah’s son in nine months represents the object of the visit, and this incident incorporates the affirmation of God’s omnipotence.
In chapter 22 of Genesis, it is reported that when the Lord tempted Abraham by ordering him to sacrifice his son, it was an angel who came to hold his hand :
In chapter 22 of Genesis, it is reported that when the Lord tempted Abraham by ordering him to sacrifice his son, it was an angel who came to hold his hand :
When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”
Then, after Abraham sacrificed a ram instead of his son, the angel of the Lord spoke to him again, and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”
The story of the brutal trial of Abraham’s faith has been depicted as a literary masterpiece, and it marks the Abraham cycle of stories. It has aroused the theological interests of authors such as Kierkegaard, who considered it a classic parable on the radical meaning of faith.
Abraham, who had to cut himself off from his past when he left his homeland, is now tested and summoned to give up his entire future, by giving up the child of his old age. As a matter of fact, the fulfillment of God’s promise depends on Isaac’s life. Abraham’s fear of God is revealed in his obedience, although this could result in his son’s death.
Abraham, who had to cut himself off from his past when he left his homeland, is now tested and summoned to give up his entire future, by giving up the child of his old age. As a matter of fact, the fulfillment of God’s promise depends on Isaac’s life. Abraham’s fear of God is revealed in his obedience, although this could result in his son’s death.
Sources:
Laymon, Charles M., ed. The Interpreters’s One-Volume Commentary on the Bible.
New York: Abingdon Press, 1971.
West, James King. Introduction to the Old Testament. New York: Macmillan, 1981.
Laymon, Charles M., ed. The Interpreters’s One-Volume Commentary on the Bible.
New York: Abingdon Press, 1971.
West, James King. Introduction to the Old Testament. New York: Macmillan, 1981.
From The Book of : ANGELS A to Z | Second Edition
By : Evelyn Dorothy Oliver and James R. Lewis
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