Noontide at, Mamre, or angels' visits.
I. THE ARRIVAL OF THE STRANGERS.
1. The appearance they presented. Seemingly three men, they were in reality three angels, or, more correctly, Jehovah accompanied by two celestial attend ants, who, at an unexpected moment, were making for Abraham's tent. So are the homes of saints ofttimes visited by angels unawares (Hebrews 1:14), and, greater honor still, by him who claims the angels as his ministers (Psalms 8:4; Isaiah 57:17).
2. The reception they obtained. Immediately that Abraham discerned their approach, he hastened to accord them most respectful and courteous salutation, in true Oriental fashion, falling on his knees and bowing till his head touched the ground; an illustration of that beautiful politeness towards one's fellow-men (if as yet he only regarded his visitors as men), or of that reverential self-abasement before God (if already he had recognized the superior dignity of the principal figure of the three) which ought especially to characterize God's believing and covenanted people (see Psalms 95:6; 1 Peter 3:8).
3. The invitation they received. Probably oppressed by the sultry beams 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 as his cool-shaded, well-furnished tent might be able to afford. And this invitation of the patriarch was—
II. THE ENTERTAINMENT OF THE STRANGERS. In the banquet which Abraham extemporized 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 proffered repast,—enlisting Sarah's practiced hands in baking cakes, and commissioning a 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 (Romans 12:8, Romans 12:13; 2 Corinthians 9:7).
2. Unstinted liberality. Modestly characterized as a little repast, it was in reality a sumptuous banquet which was set before the strangers. Abraham entertained his guests with princely munificence. The modern virtue of stinginess, or niggardliness, supposed by many to be a Christian grace, had not been acquired by the patriarch, and should with as much speed as possible be unlearned by Christ's disciples. Hospitality towards the saints and beneficence towards all men, but especially towards the poor, should be practiced with diligence, and even with a holy prodigality, by all who are of Abraham's seed (Luke 14:12-14; Romans 12:13; 1 Timothy 3:2; Hebrews 13:2).
3. Personal activity. Though the master of a large household, with 300 trained domestics, and the noble Eliezer at their head, the patriarch does not think of relegating the important work of preparing the entertainment to his subordinates, but himself attends to its immediate execution. Indeed, in all 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 his own hand; again a true pattern of humility, as if he had caught up by anticipation the spirit of our Savior's words (Matthew 20:26); and a true preacher of Christian duty, saying that in God's work personal service is ever better than laboring by proxy.
III. THE COMMUNICATION OF THE STRANGERS. The noonday meal over, or perhaps while it was advancing, the principal of the three guests, who certainly by this time was recognized 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; that next year the promised seed should be born. That announcement was—
1. Authoritatively made. It was 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 was altogether different from that of Abraham (Genesis 17:17). While Abraham's was the outcome of faith, hers was the fruit of latent doubt and incredulity. There are always two ways of receiving God's promises; the one of which secures, but the other of which imperils, their fulfillment.
3. Solemnly confirmed.
Learn—
1. The duty and profit of entertaining strangers (Hebrews 13:2).
2. The beauty and nobility of Christian hospitality (Romans 12:13).
3. The excellence and acceptability of personal service in God's work.
4. The condescension and kindness of God in visiting She sons of men.
5. The admirable grace of Jehovah in repeating and confirming his promises to man.
6. The right way and the wrong way of listening to God's words of grace and truth.
HOMILIES BY W. ROBERTS