“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 this chapter.

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 previous devotions, we looked at the first three, saving the fourth for today. (If you did not read them yet, please read the previous devotions.)

Part D. The Revelation of the Dedicated

Look at Genesis 18:24-32; here we see Abraham began to plead with God to spare the Righteous. God already knew He would spare the Righteous, for their sin would be atoned on the Cross of Calvary in the Sacrifice Jesus Christ (Romans 3:24-29). But Abraham was soon to learn of the Security in the Love of God (Romans 8:29-39).

This narrative reveals Abraham as the dedicated intercessor, pleading for the Righteous to be spared, and also for the city. He asked if 50, then 45, 40, 30, 20, and even 10 righteous people could be found in Sodom, would God spare the city and the people.

“That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Genesis 18:25)

“And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.” (Genesis 18:26)

But as the story later reveals, Abraham got down to ten righteous. But there were not ten righteous in Sodom.

Note 2 Peter 2:6-9a:

“And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;” (2 Peter 2:6)

“And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:” (2 Peter 2:7)

“(For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)” (2 Peter 2:8)

“The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation…” (2 Peter 2:9)

The lesson that Abraham was to learn was the Eternal Purpose in the Atonement of Christ, “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation…” (2 Peter 2:9). (See Romans 8:29-39; testing or trials.)

On the human side of the story of Abraham’s pleading with God to spare the Righteous, Abraham was concerned about his nephew Lot and his family. Abraham knew that Lot was a Child of God, but he knew also that Lot had chosen to live in the area of the ungodly.

Just as Abraham, we also need to have compassion on those we know who know God, but are living in the land of the ungodly. We should be dedicated to plead the Atonement for these, knowing that God will honor His Covenant.

This intercessor-ship is not for God’s benefit, but to teach us to love our neighbors as ourselves; to learn compassion. It reveals what is in us. It reveals that the Love of God abides in the intercessor.

This is one major area that the 21 Century Church of Jesus Christ is lacking. Not many seem to be concerned about their brother’s spiritual condition. The attitude seems to be – If it doesn’t concern me and mine, then who cares? It doesn’t concern me or my immediate family, so let them bear their own burdens. They sowed to the flesh, so they will reap of the flesh.

However, that attitude and action of God’s Children is not God’s Way. (See Colossians 3:12-25.) Let God be the judge; let us be the “Good Samaritan.” (See Luke 10:30-37.) Let us have compassion on one of us who has fallen among thieves, “…which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead” (Luke 10:30). This is what the ungodly will do to you if you fall among them. But we are to have compassion, as the Samaritan did (see Luke 10:32, 34-35):

“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,” (Luke 10:33)

What did his compassion cause him to do? See Luke 10:34:

1) “And went to him…”

Sometimes we have to go to a wayward brother in Christ.

2) “…and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine…”

This is indicative of pouring in the Word of God, written by the Holy Spirit of God; the Oil of God, the Healer; or the Wine of God.

Many times we have to go and teach, or remind, our wayward brother in Christ of God’s Way and Will as instructed in God’s Word.

3) “…and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.”

See Galatians 6:1-3 and 2 Corinthians 2:6-11. Paul instructed the Church at Corinth to forgive the man (going with his stepmother; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13), and restore him, and confirm their love to him. We are to bear his burden on us (on our “own beast”). And we are to bring him back to the fellowship of the Inn (or the Church, the Place of Healing). And we are to take care of him, no matter the cost (Luke 10:35).

If you are going to be the Good Samaritan, it must be all the way, regardless of the cost.

God, help the 21st Century Church of God to take heed wherein we stand (1 Corinthians 10:12); to follow the way of Abraham and even Jesus. Help us to be an intercessor for the fallen, and guide them back to the House of God and into full fellowship with the Brethren; let us learn to forgive and to confirm our love to the fallen, but restored.

God, help us to leave our little box of comfort and reach out to those in trouble, spiritual trouble.

Plead to God, on the basis of the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant.

“That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Genesis 18:25)

The Lord heard Abraham and replied in Genesis 18:26.

God hears the prayers of the Righteous, based on His Will (1 John 5:14-15). Amen and Amen!

May God move the Church to dedicated intercessor-ship for the fallen brethren.