There are so many things that can be highlighted in these chapters from Abram’s life (soon to be Abraham). He is a man of great faith and the father of nations, yet in a moment of weakness and doubt, he allowed his wife to convince him to father a child with the Egyptian servant Hagar. That story in chapter 16 is tragic in many ways. Of course, God had promised that Abraham and Sarah would have children, but like so many of us, when the Lord’s promises seem slow to come to pass we try to figure out a way to make them come true ourselves. Hagar bore Ishmael, who is today revered in Islam; and the one to whom all Muslims trace their lineage. The sons of Ishmael and the sons of Isaac (the Jewish nation) have been locked in a struggle now for almost 1500 years and the rest of the world is continually drawn into that conflict.
After a renewed covenant and renewed faith in Abraham to wait for the promise of God, there is an interlude in chapter 18. Abraham receives three visitors (God and two angels) and they discuss the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah. This passage is often enigmatic to many, but if you have lived in a shame/honor culture like have for all of these years it seems strangely familiar. I almost laugh when I read the interchange and the behavior of Abraham because he is like so many Africans I have lived with over the years. When strangers come to visit, hospitality is paramount. There is nothing quite like African or Near-Eastern hospitality.
When you approach the tent (or hut/homestead) you are immediately greeted and then the host runs away! Often they run off to secure chairs or a mat or some form of comfort for your visit. Whether you realize it or not you will not just “pop in” but you are there for a while. Abraham promises a bit of bread and a little water (which I am sure was brought), and he seems perfectly calm on the outside, promising they will soon be on their way. Yet, behind the scenes is a flurry of activity… Sarah is instructed to begin baking bread from scratch… Abraham runs to the herd and selects a LIVE calf, takes it to be slaughtered and then prepares a feast to present to his guests. This is told in 3 verses but it likely took HOURS to complete 😊. I have lived in that cultural space and if you understand it then it is endearing and not frustrating. Relational cultures are always about the event and not about the time. Then, notice the interchange between Abraham and God where he basically barters for his nephew’s family in the city. You can feel the Eastern flavor of the exchange as Abraham humbly appeals to the Lord, careful not to insult, but intent on pulling out all the stops to accomplish his purpose. If this account seems odd to you I can tell you that it feels like home to me!
