06/05/2008
Genesis 18:17 - 19 (HCSB) 17Then the LORD said, “Should I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? 18Abraham is to become a great and powerful nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed through him. 19For I have chosen him so that he will command his children and his house after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just. This is how the LORD will fulfill to Abraham what He promised him.”
Three visitors came to where Abraham was encamped. He entreated them to dine with him. These visitors were the Angel of the Lord, and two other angels. It is not clear whether Abraham knew they were angels or not when he met them, however, as they left, it is apparent that Abraham knows they are angels.
The “Angel of the Lord” is commonly believed to be the pre-incarnate Jesus. Remember, Jesus was present at the creation of all things (John 1:2&3) and is part of the Trinity. These three angels are on their way to Sodom to destroy it and Gomorrah. But before they depart, the Angel of the Lord makes the statement above.
Abraham had already been told that he would be the father of a great nation. He has already been promised a son by Sarah. This has not come to pass yet, but the Angel of the Lord reveals to Abraham a greater purpose than just a nation of people.
18Abraham is to become a great and powerful nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed through him.
I believe there are two things we can gather from this. First, we know that Abraham was special before God. He had been called out to become a nation for this very reason, but it is my impression that God wanted this nation to be ambassadors to the world based on this relationship. Ironically, this did not happen. The Jews became very isolated and possessive of their relationship with God. They further defiled their calling by falling away themselves from their relationship with God.
The second aspect of this blessing is, of course, Jesus. We know from Genesis 3 that there will be a Messiah that will remove the sins of man, but now the Angel of the Lord reveals to Abraham that he will be the patriarch of the nation that will produce this Messiah. Indeed, if the Angel of the Lord is Jesus pre-incarnate, then He is referring to His own coming.
We know two things about Israel, the nation that sprang from Abraham, those who bless her will be blessed and those who curse her will be cursed. America has long been a strong ally with Israel. I am certain that this is the source of many of our blessings in this country. If we ever turn our backs on Israel then woe to us all.
Pray for the peace and security of Israel. Bless the nation that gave us the Messiah.
Jeff Justus
Cleff Publishing
www.cleffpublishing.com
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