Jesus in the Old
Testament
007 Jesus and the
Three Visitors
Thesis: After 25 years of progressive revelation,
Abraham is now given the clearest revelation of God and of His will through the
visitation of the pre-incarnate Son to him in a physical manifestation. Jesus works to increase closeness and clarity and
to confirm the covenant.
- Nutshell (<5 min with kids)
- Proximity and Clarity:
- If we were to go outside and look
east, how clearly could you see the Atlantic Ocean? Why? (far away, lots
of obstacles)
- If we were to go outside and look
north, how clearly could you see Winona Lake? Could you see any evidence
of a lake?
- If we were to go outside and look
across the street, how clearly could you see the Leestma house? What
could you know for sure about it?
- How clearly can you see me? What can
you know about me?
- The closer something is to you, the
more clearly you understand it.
- For 25 years, Abraham has been being
told by God that God would make him a great nation. He has been told through dreams,
through a vision, through hearing a voice, but it has not yet happened. What kind of confidence would you have?
- Now, in Genesis 18, God is going to
appear to Abraham in a physical form, eat a meal with him, and give him a
firm timeline. What kind of confidence would you have now?
- Jesus’ job is to reveal the Father
(Jn 1:14). He is doing it again
for Abraham here.
- Deeper
- Context: God had been revealing his
plan to Abraham in ever-increasingly clear ways while drawing him into an
ever-more-intimate relationship.
- Genesis 12:1-3
a) God speaks. No idea of the vehicle of revelation. Voice
only?
b) Broad strokes: Go, I will show you
where. You will become a nation.
Blessing and curses associated with how people treat you.
- Genesis 13:14-18
a) Again, only a voice.
b) Look around you, this is the land
you will receive. You will have many offspring (dust of the earth).
- Genesis 15:
a) A vision
b) Confirmation of the call, you will
have a physical heir; stars of the heavens.
c) Entry into a blood covenant (vs
7-21)
d) Specific prophecy regarding slavery
and deliverance in Egypt.
- Genesis 16: Abraham not able to
endure the waiting (10 years), Ishmael.
- Genesis 17:
a) The Lord appears to Abraham (still
a vision of some kind).
b) Reaffirms the covenant given 24
years ago.
c) Child’s name is given, Isaac.
d) Circumcision given, names changed.
e) The specific timeline was given (this time
next year).
f) The vision leaves.
- Covenants
a) Parties: God and Abraham (and
family)
b) Terms: Increasingly clear (above)
c) Blood sacrifice: Ch 15
d) Sign: Circumcision
e) Meal: Not yet fulfilled.
- Genesis 18: 1-15, Covenant meal
- Chapter divisions not original, this
seems to be immediately after the events in Ch 17.
- In some ways, a very normal scene:
a) Abraham resting in the opening to
his tent
b) The heat of the day, no work.
c) Travelers during this time of day
would seek hospitality.
d) Hospitality the “first law of the
Orient.”
- We are told that at least one of
three visitors is Yahweh (vs 1).
a) Cannot be the Father (nobody can
see the Father and live)
b) Jesus reveals the Father (Jn 1:14)
c) We are told later that the other
two are angels (vs 22; 19:1)
- Abraham somehow knows that God is in
physical form
a) From his vision in Ch 17?
b) אֲדֹנָי
[ʾAdonay /ad·o·noy/] n m. An emphatic form of 113;
TWOT 27b; GK 151; 434 occurrences; AV translates as “Lord” 431 times, “lord”
twice, and “God” once. 1 my lord, lord. 1A of men. 1B of God. 2 Lord—title,
spoken in place of Yahweh in Jewish display of reverence. Only used of Yahweh in the Bible.
- God’s purpose for this mission is
revelation, intimacy, and clarity (vs 17-20).
- Abraham’s response is much more than
hospitality, it is worship
a) He had hundreds of servants (14:14)
b) Ran to them, despite being old, a
very high-ranking man, and healing from circumcision.
c) “Bowed himself to the earth” much
more than a casual bow of respect. Laid Prostrate.
d) Provisions in ridiculous amount and
expense for three people
(1) A choice tender calf (meat only
eaten on special occasions, this was a lavish expense).
(2) Three “measures” or “Seahs” of fine
flour. 21 Quarts of fine flour would
make 35 sandwich-bread sized loaves!
(3) Curds and milk
e) Prepared in haste 3 uses of
quickly, ran
f) Abraham stood, waited on them while
they ate.
- Fulfillment of the covenant ceremony
with the sharing of a meal
a) Just as only God passed between the
bodies of the blood sacrifice, only God eats.
b) Abraham has responsibilities, but
the weight of the covenant rests solely on God.
- Jesus
speaks clearly, with a physical body, regularly-discerned words clarifying that Isaac will be born before a year passes.
a) Sarah scoffs inwardly
b) Jesus brings it out miraculously.
- Genesis 18:16-33 Abraham intercedes.
- The angels leave to carry out the will
of God.
- Abraham prays to Jesus, relying on
the merciful nature of God.
- Genesis 19:
Destruction of Sodom
- In the end,
God accomplishes his will to judge.
- Jesus is both redeemer and judge.
- Key passage to demonstrate
Christophany: vs 24. Yahweh (on
earth, staying with Abraham) rained down sulfur from Yahweh in heaven
and consumed the cities.
- Jesus comes to bring closeness:
- Matthew 11:27
- John 14:21
- John 15:4, 15-16
- John 17:3
- Jesus comes to bring clarity:
- 1 Cor 2:6-15
- 1 Cor 13:11-13
- 2 Cor 4:6
- Eph 1:17-18
- Heb 1:1-3
- Jesus alone always bears the weight
of the covenant
- John 3:36
- 1 Tim 2:5
- 2 Cor 5:21
- Gal 2:16
Discussion Questions:
- Do you feel that God is far away or
close by in your life?
- If you feel far away from God, what
can you do to feel closer (Hint: It has nothing to do with how “good” you
are)?
- Do you think you know what God’s plan
for your life is?
- Based on the story of Abraham, what
can you do to know God’s plan for your life?
- Jesus has always been the one to make
covenants (promises) to God’s people.
What promises has He made to you through His word? Are you living according to the terms of those promises?
