“And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;” (Genesis 18:1)

“And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,” (Genesis 18:2)

God (the LORD, Jehovah) had appeared to Abraham several times prior to the appearance here in Genesis 18. However, it is not recorded in the Scripture the manner in which, or what form, God used to appear to Abraham until Genesis 18.

In Genesis 18:2, the Scripture says, “…three men stood by him…”

Our question is: What does it mean to be visited by the Third Man?

There are several results of God appearing to one of His Children:

Part A. The Revelation of Deity
Part B. The Revelation of Declaration
Part C. The Revelation of Destruction
Part D. The Revelation of the Dedicated

In this devotion, we will look at the first two, saving the other two for tomorrow’s devotion.

Part A. The Revelation of Deity

See verse 2b, “…and when he (Abraham) saw them…” As soon as Abraham “saw,” or had his eyes opened to perceive who his visitors were, especially one of them, Abraham did the following:

1) “He ran to meet them from the tent door” (Genesis 18:2c)

a) His running indicates His gladness to see these men. People who are in love with God are always eager for, and even longing for, a visit from God in his spirit.

b) It indicates he (Abraham) is not ashamed to present himself to God; which means he was not living in sin, but was following God as he had been revealed up to this point in his life. When a Child of God is living honest before God, God is always welcome. It is only when a Child of God is living with hidden sin – that he dreads to see God.

c) Abraham’s past experience in talking with God was that there was always a promise and blessing attached to God’s conversation. So, why would be not be excited about God coming to visit him? Abraham knew that God came for a definite purpose. As John 4:4 records of Jesus’ trip to Samaria, “And he must needs go through Samaria.” So when God visits you, it is with a definite purpose. Therefore, if you, as a Child of God, are living honest before God, and you are walking by faith and not by sight (or by the flesh); then be glad, be happy, and be excited, for God is bring a blessing for you as He did to Abraham and Sarah.

2) “He… bowed himself toward the ground” (Genesis 18:2d)

a) This action of Abraham indicates Abraham realized who his visitors were, especially one of them.

b) It indicates Abraham realized that he was in the Presence of God; and therefore he bowed, indicative of humility, of servant hood, and of honor and worship.

c) This is also the posture of one who had a request of his Lord and Master.

If you research others who found themselves in the presence of Deity, you will find the same posture of bowing, as Abraham did. When you are in the Presence of Pure Holiness, the only posture you can have is bowing down before Him.

Again, this posture reveals:

a) The realization of who His is;

b) The showing of honor to Him as Lord and Master;

c) A show of surrender, submission, and being ready to obey His Command.

3) “And said, My Lord (Master, Authority), if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:” (Genesis 18:3)

a) Abraham acknowledges that he is His servant.

b) Abraham requests that his Master (the Lord) stay and be served by him (Genesis 18:3-5):

i) I will wash Your feet;

ii) I will feed You;

iii) I will “comfort ye your hearts“;

iv) “For therefore are ye come to your servant.”

Abraham’s request to serve the Lord (his Master) reveals Abraham’s understanding of what it means to be God’s servant. It is to serve; it is to give honor; it is to be humble. When a man washes the feet of another, it is a sign of great humility and submission. (See Christ’s teaching on the washing of feet in John 13:4-17.)

This request of Abraham, to his Lord, reveals also that he knew why the Lord had come to him. That is, because he was His servant, “for therefore are ye come to your servant.” Abraham knew his Lord was on a mission and would pass on. And he also knew it was his responsibility to comfort Him, before He passed on.

4) Abraham was not a hearer only (Genesis 18:6-8), for his Lord had said, “So do, as thou hast said” (Genesis 18:5d). James writes that we are not to be hearers only, but doers of the Word of God:

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” (James 1:22)

When God commands us, we are to be ready; and begin immediately to carry out His Commands. This Abraham did immediately.

Remember, when God visits you, it is always with a purpose. Get ready for the Revelation of Declaration.

Part B. The Revelation of Declaration

Concerning the birth of the heir (Genesis 18:9-15):

God promised Abraham and Sarah that He would return, according to the time of life, and that Sarah would have a son. This would be a miracle in the eyes of Abraham and Sarah, because of their old age. Sarah laughed and God heard it; He reveals to Sarah that He did know that she laughed at God.

We know that Sarah did conceive; and she brought forth a man-child; and he was called Isaac – just as God had promised.

The Declaration was not that Sarah would have a child in her old age; but that, as God told Abraham in Genesis 18:14a, “Is any thing too hard for the LORD?” The answer is obvious – No.

However, many of God’s Children do not believe the impossible can be performed in their lives. The answer lies in God’s Purpose – not in our desires.

When we pray, we must pray according to His Will:

“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:” (1 John 5:14)

“And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” (1 John 5:15)

This statement of God to Abraham should give all of God’s doubting Children a place to plant their doubting feet – that is on Truth.

God is Truth. God is the Creator, the Controller, and the Consummator of His Creation. God is All Power. There is no God but Jehovah. He alone is the only True and Living God, who possesses all Authority and Power, and who does Perform that which He has Promised and Purposed.

Take heart, Child of God – God is not only able to Perform His Word of Promise; but He has, is, and shall ever Perform His Word of Promise.