Genesis 18:2-15
Summary for Gen 18:2-8: 18:2-8 a Abraham received his visitors as very important guests, perhaps realizing that they were messengers from God.18:3 b My lord: The Hebrew text uses ’adonay (“Lord”), the word that is usually reserved for God. In Hebrew tradition, it was spoken in places where the holy name Yahweh (the Lord) was in the text. Perhaps the text uses ’adonay rather than the more common ’adoni to show that this was the angel of the Lord—i.e., the Lord himself (see study note on 16:7). We don’t know whether Abraham knew his visitors’ identity at the outset, but by the story’s end Abraham certainly knew he had been talking with God.
18:9 c The visitors’ rhetorical question focuses attention on Sarah, whom the visitors knew by name.
18:10 d I will return: The Hebrew verb means “to intervene in someone’s life to change their destiny.” The statement announced a coming dramatic change.
Summary for Gen 18:13-15: 18:13-15 e Sarah thought her disbelieving laughter was hidden, but God knows human hearts (see Ps 69:5 f; Prov 20:27 g; Mark 4:22 h; Luke 8:43-48 i; Heb 4:13 j), whether they stagger at the promises or step out in faith (see Heb 11:11-12 k).
18:14 l Is anything too hard for the Lord? The question is rhetorical. God is able to do marvelous things. Nothing is incredible to those in covenant fellowship with the Lord, because nothing is too difficult for him.
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