Genesis 18:22

_AND THE MEN TURNED THEIR FACES FROM THENCE, AND WENT TOWARD SODOM: BUT ABRAHAM STOOD YET BEFORE THE LORD._ The men ... went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the Lord. The two who departed are generally supposed to be the angels whose arrival in Sodom is described, Genesis 19:1. But it has become a subject of much discussion whether the third was the Lord before whom Abraham stood, or whether the third had separated from the two messengers on the way to Sodom, and the Lord denotes the altar where the patriarch usually worshipped....

22._But Abraham stood yet before the Lord_. Moses first declares that the men proceeded onwards, conveying the impression, that having finished their discourse, they took leave of Abraham, in order that he might return home. He then adds, that Abraham stood before the Lord, as persons are wont to do, who, though dismissed, do not immediately depart, because something still remains to be said or done. Moses, when he makes mention of the journey, with propriety attributes the name of men to the angels; but he does not, however, say, that Abraham stood before _men_, but before the face of God; because, although with his eyes, he beheld the appearance of men, he yet, by faith, looked upon God. And his words sufficiently show, that he did not speak as he would have done with a mortal man. Whence we infer, that we act preposterously, if we allow the external symbols, by which God represents hi...

16-22 The two who are supposed to have been created angels went toward Sodom. The one who is called Jehovah throughout the chapter, continued with Abraham, and would not hide from him the thing he intended to do. Though God long forbears with sinners, from which they fancy that the Lord does not see, and does not regard; yet when the day of his wrath comes, he will look toward them. The Lord will give Abraham an opportunity to intercede with him, and shows him the reason of his conduct. Consider, as a very bright part of Abraham's character and example, that he not only prayed with his family, but he was very careful to teach and rule them well. Those who expect family blessings must make conscience of family duty. Abraham did not fill their heads with matters of doubtful dispute; but he taught them to be serious and devout in the worship of God, and to be honest in their dealings with...

Verse Genesis 18:22. _AND THE MEN TURNED THEIR FACES_] That is, the two angels who accompanied Jehovah were now sent towards Sodom; while the third, who is called the LORD or _Jehovah_, remained with Abraham for the purpose of teaching him the great usefulness and importance of faith and prayer....

- The Visit of the Lord to Abraham 2. השׂתחיה _vayı̂śtachû_ “bow,” or bend the body in token of respect to God or man. The attitude varies from a slight inclination of the body to entire prostration with the forehead touching the ground. 6. סאה _s__e__'ah_ a “seah,” about an English peck, the third part of an ephah. The ephah contained ten omers. The omer held about five pints. This chapter describes Abraham’s fellowship with God. On the gracious assurance of the Redeemer and Vindicator, “Fear not, I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward,” he ceased to fear, and believed. On the solemn announcement of the Conqueror of evil and the Quickener of the dead, “I am God Almighty; walk before me and be perfect,” he began anew to walk with God in holiness and truth. The

EXPOSITION GENESIS 18:16 AND THE MEN ROSE UP FROM THENCE,—Mamre (_vide supra_, Genesis 18:1)—AND LOOKED TOWARDS SODOM. Literally, _toward the face _(Rosenmüller), or towards the plain (Keil), of Sodom, as if intending to proceed thither. AND ABRAHAM WENT WITH THEM—across the mountains on the east of Hebron, as far as _Caphar-barucha, _according to tradition, whence a view can be obtained of the Dead Sea—_solitudinem ac terras Sodomae _(vide Keil, _in loco_)_—_TO BRING THEM ON THE WAY. Literally, _to send them away, _or accord them a friendly convoy over a portion of their journey....

AND THE MEN TURNED THEIR FACES FROM THENCE,.... From the place to which Abraham brought them on; these were only two of them, for the third continued with Abraham: AND WENT TOWARDS SODOM; and are the two angels said to come thither at evening, Genesis 19:1: BUT ABRAHAM STOOD YET BEFORE THE LORD; before the third person, whom Abraham now began to know more clearly; he stood before him with all reverence and humility, to hear what he had further to say to him, as well as to say something to him himself; he stood "yet", he continued to stand after the departure of the two angels that were gone to Sodom. Onkelos and Jonathan paraphrase it, "he ministered in prayer before the Lord.''...

Genesis 18:17. _And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him._ Abraham is called «the friend of God.» It was not merely that God was his Friend; that was blessedly true, and it was a great wonder of grace; but he was honoured to be called «the friend of God»'-one with whom God could hold sweet converse, a man after his own heart, in whom he trusted to whom he revealed his secrets. I am afraid there are not many men of Abraham's sort in the world even now; but, wherever there is such a man, with whom God is familiar, h

CHAPTER 18 THE SIXTH COMMUNICATION AND JEHOVAH VISITS ABRAHAM _ 1. The manifestation (Genesis 18:1)_ 2. Abraham's welcome (Genesis 18:3) 3. The promise repeated (Genesis 18:9) 4. Sarah's laughter (Genesis 18:11) 5. The departure towards Sodom (Genesis 18:16) 6. Abraham's intercession (Genesis 18:17) This most remarkable visitation was the answer of Jehovah to Abraham's obedience of faith. The one in the middl

GENESIS 12:1 TO GENESIS 25:18. THE STORY OF ABRAHAM. In this section the three main sources, J. E, P are present. Gunkel has given strong reasons for holding that J is here made up of two main sources, one connecting Abraham with Hebron, the other with Beersheba and the Negeb. The former associates Abraham with Lot. (For details, see ICC.) On the interpretation to be placed on the figures of Abraham and the patriarchs, see the Introduction. The interest, which has hitherto been diffused over the fortunes of mankind in general, is now concentrated on Abraham and his posterity, the principle of election narrowing it down to Isaac, Ishmael being left aside, and then to Jacob, Esau being excluded....