still, by him who claims the angels as bis ministers (Ps. viii. 4; Isa. !vii. 17). 2. Tlie reception eliey obtained. Immediately that Abraham discerned their approach, be hastened to accord them most respectful and courteous salutation, in true Oriental fashion, foiling on his knees and bowing till bis head touched the ground ; an illustra- tion of that beautiful politeness towards one's fellow-men (if as yet he only regarded hie visitors as men), or of that reverential self-abasement before God (if already he had recognised the superior dignity of the principal figure of the three) which ought especially to characterise God's believing and covenanted people (see Ps. xcv. 6; 1 Pet. iii. 8). 3. The invitation tliey received. Probably oppressed by the sultry heams of the noonday sun, if not otherwise travel-stained and weary, they were, with genuine Arab-like hospitality, entreated by the patriarch to avail themselves of such refreshment and repose ae hie cool-shaded, well-furnished tent might be able to afford. And this invitation of the patriarch was-(1) Humbly proffered, as if their accept- ance of it would be more an act of grace conferred on him than a benefit enjoyed by themselves. (2) .Mod,estly _described, as if it were only a trifle after all that he was asking tl:iem to accept, while all the time his liberal heart was devising liberal things. (3) Piously enforced, by the consideration that he recognised in their arrival at his tent a special call to 'the discharge of the duty of hospitality. (4) Promptly accepted, without apologies or deprecations of any sort, but with the same generous simf licity as it was offered. "So do as thou hast said.'' l . THE EN'l'ERTAINMENT OF ';l'HE STRANGERS. Jn the banquet which Abraham extemporised for his celestial guests beneath the umbrageous oak at Mamre were three things which should be studied by all who would use hospitality. 1. Joyous alacrity. That the patriarch's invitation was no mere conventional remark which was meant to pass unheeded by those to whom it was addressed was proved by the expeditious cordiality with which he set about the preparations needed for the prof- fered repast, enlisting Sarah's_ practised hands in baking cakes, and commissioning n trusty servant of the house- to kill and dress a young and tender calf selected by himself from the flocks: Here was no reluctance or half-heartedness with Abraham in the work of kindness to which Providence had called him. So ought Christians to manifest a spirit of cheerfulness and a habit of promptitude in doing good (Rom. xii. 8, 13; 2 Cor. ix. 7f 2. -unstinted liberality. Modestly characterised as a little repast, it was in reality a sumptuous banquet which was set before the strangers. Abraham entertained his guests with prirrcely munificence. The modem virtue of stinginess, or niggardliness, supposed by many to be a Christian grace, had not been acquired by the patriarch, and should with ae much speed as possible be unlearned by Christ's disciples. Hospitality towards the saints and_ beneficence towards all men, butespecially towards the poor, should be practised with diligence, nnd even with a holy prodigality, by all who are of Abraham's seed (Luke xiv. 12-14; Rom. xii. 13; 1 Tim. iii. 2; Heb. xiii. 2). 3. Personal activity. Though the master of a large household, with 300 trained domestics, and the noble Eliezer at their head, the patri- arch does not think of relegating the important work of preparing the entertainment to hie subordinates, but himself attends to its·immedinte execution. Indeed, in nil the bustling activity which forthwith pervades the tent his figure is always and everywhere conspicuous. And when the meal is ready he reverently serves it with hie own hand; again a true pattern of humility, ne if he had caught up by anticipa- tion the spirit of our Saviour's words (Matt. xx. 26); and a true preacher of Christian duty, saying that in God's work personal service is ever better than labouring by proxy. III. THE COMMUNICATION OF THE STRANGERS. The noonday meal over, or per- haps while it was advancing, the principal of the three guests, who certainly by this time was recognised as Jehovah, made an important announcement to the patriarch, which, however, was specially intended for Sarah, who was listening behind the dark fold of the camel's-hair tent, viz., thnt next year the promised seed should be born. That announcement was-1. Autlioritatively made. It wne made by him who is the faithful and true Witness, with whom it is impossible to lie, and who is able also to perform that which he has promised. 2. Unbelievingly received. The laugh of Sarah wee altogether different from thnt of Abraham ( eh. xvii. 17). While Abraham's w11s the outcome of fuith, here w11e the fruit of lutcnt <loubt nn<l incredulity. There nre ahrnya two wnye of receiving God's promises; the one of which scrnrcs, bnt tbo n2 24.4 THE BOOK OF GENESIS. [CH, X\'III, 1-16,
o_tJ1cr of "-hich imperils, their ful~ln:ient (M_ark ix. 23; xi. 23). 3. So(emnly con- nnned. (I) By nn uppcal to the D1v111e ommpotence. 1'he tlung promised wnR not beyond H1e_ resources of Jeh_ovah to accomplish. (2) By a further oertifico.tion of the event. As 1_t were '1: seco?d tnne the !)ivirie faithfulness was pledged for its folfilmlmt. (3) By an 1~press1v:e display, of m1~culous power1 first ip sea1'ching Sarah's hen.rt, nnd se~ond 111 arresting Sarah s com,c1ence. 1'he result was that Sarah's unbelief was transfom1cd into faith. Learn-1. T~e- duty and_ ~rofit of _cnt~rtaining st_~nngers (Heb. xiii. 2).. 2. 1'he bcnuty a~~ nob1hty of Christian hosp1tahty (Rom. xu. 13). • 3. The excellence and acceptab1hty of personal service in God's work. 4. The condescension and· kind- ness o_f God in visiti1~g th~ sons o~ men. 5. 'l'he admirable grace of Jehovah in repeating and confirnung ]us promises to man. 6. The ria-ht 0 way and· the wrong way of listening to God's words of grace and truth. ,