Genesis 18:1-10a (NRSV)
Read Genesis 18:1-10a on biblegateway.com
Chapter 18The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. Verse 2He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground. Verse 3He said, "My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. Verse 4Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. Verse 5Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on-since you have come to your servant." So they said, "Do as you have said." Verse 6And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, "Make ready quickly three measures of choice flour, knead it, and make cakes." Verse 7Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it. Verse 8Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate.
Verse 9They said to him, "Where is your wife Sarah?" And he said, "There, in the tent." Verse 10Then one said, "I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son." And Sarah was listening at the tent entrance behind him.
Devotion
This week’s theme will center around friendship. Back in 1981, while I was serving as pastor in Maddock, ND, the churches in the community helped to resettle a family of seven from Cambodia. I served on the resettlement committee. Highlights included meeting the family in Devils Lake in the middle of winter, visiting and advocating for a brother and family in a refugee camp in Thailand, and supporting the family as they made the transition to living in a strange new country. This experience was a blessing and one of the highlights of my ministry. I am still Facebook friends with four of the children.
Today we hear of Abraham welcoming three strangers and through his hospitality becoming friends with them. Abraham provides a meal and through his friendship he receives a blessing that he would become a father. Question to ponder: When has welcoming a stranger turned into a blessing for you?
Prayer
Lord, as you were welcomed by Abraham, help us to be welcoming to the refugees, immigrants, and others in our midst who are in need of friends to help and support them. Amen.
Interested in digging deeper into today’s text?
Read more here.