DaySpring Hope & Encouragement Bible - Flipbook - Page 41
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G enesis 18
on that same day, 27 along with all the other men and boys of the household,
whether they were born there or bought as servants. All were circumcised
with him.
A Son Is Promised to Sarah
The Lord appeared again to Abraham near the oak grove belonging
to Mamre. One day Abraham was sitting at the entrance to his tent
during the hottest part of the day. 2 He looked up and noticed three men
standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran to meet them and welcomed
them, bowing low to the ground.
3 “My lord,” he said, “if it pleases you, stop here for a while. 4 Rest in the
shade of this tree while water is brought to wash your feet. 5 And since you’ve
honored your servant with this visit, let me prepare some food to refresh you
before you continue on your journey.”
“All right,” they said. “Do as you have said.”
6 So Abraham ran back to the tent and said to Sarah, “Hurry! Get three
large measures* of your best flour, knead it into dough, and bake some
bread.” 7 Then Abraham ran out to the herd and chose a tender calf and gave
it to his servant, who quickly prepared it. 8 When the food was ready, Abra
ham took some yogurt and milk and the roasted meat, and he served it to
the men. As they ate, Abraham waited on them in the shade of the trees.
9 “Where is Sarah, your wife?” the visitors asked.
“She’s inside the tent,” Abraham replied.
10 Then one of them said, “I will return to you about this time next year,
and your wife, Sarah, will have a son!”
Sarah was listening to this conversation from the tent. 11 Abraham and
Sarah were both very old by this time, and Sarah was long past the age of
having children. 12 So she laughed silently to herself and said, “How could a
worn-out woman like me enjoy such pleasure, especially when my master—
my husband—is also so old?”
13 Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh? Why did she
say, ‘Can an old woman like me have a baby?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the
Lord? I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”
15 Sarah was afraid, so she denied it, saying, “I didn’t laugh.”
But the Lord said, “No, you did laugh.”
18
Abraham Intercedes for Sodom
16 Then the men got up from their meal and looked out toward Sodom. As
they left, Abraham went with them to send them on their way.
17 “Should I hide my plan from Abraham?” the Lord asked. 18 “For Abra
ham will certainly become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of
the earth will be blessed through him. 19 I have singled him out so that he
will direct his sons and their families to keep the way of the Lord by doing
what is right and just. Then I will do for Abraham all that I have promised.”
20 So the Lord told Abraham, “I have heard a great outcry from Sodom and
Gomorrah, because their sin is so flagrant. 21 I am going down to see if their
actions are as wicked as I have heard. If not, I want to know.”
22 The other men turned and headed toward Sodom, but the Lord remained with Abraham. 23 Abraham approached him and said, “Will you
18:6 Hebrew 3 seahs, about half a bushel or 22 liters.
GENESIS 18:1-14
Moses was trapped on every side,
but then he saw
the Red Sea divide—
never give up!
Abraham could not bring forth a son,
but Sarah gave birth
to the promised one—
never give up!
Gideon was the least of Israel’s men,
but God used him
to save them again—
never give up!
Many others received help
from God too,
and it is certain he won’t fail you—
never give up!
Father, you’ve shown example
after example of how you equip us
for more than we can ever dream.
Today I give you my expectations
and my whole heart so that I can
watch you work your miraculous
ways in my life.
Read more about this topic on page 78.
