Jesus in the Old Testament 007: Jesus and the Three Visitors

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. 

1. Nutshell (<5 min with kids)
1. Proximity and Clarity:
1. If we were to go outside and look east, how clearly could you see the Atlantic Ocean? Why? (far away, lots of obstacles)
2. If we were to go outside and look north, how clearly could you see Winona Lake? Could you see any evidence of a lake?
3. 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?
4. How clearly can you see me? What can you know about me?
5. The closer something is to you, the more clearly you understand it.
2. 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?
3. 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?
4. Jesus’ job is to reveal the Father (Jn 1:14).  He is doing it again for Abraham here.

2. Deeper
1. Context: God had been revealing his plan to Abraham in ever-increasingly clear ways while drawing him into an ever-more-intimate relationship.
1. 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.

2. 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).

3. 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.

4. Genesis 16: Abraham not able to endure the waiting (10 years), Ishmael.
5. 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.

6. 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.

2. Genesis 18: 1-15, Covenant meal
1. Chapter divisions not original, this seems to be immediately after the events in Ch 17. 
2. 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.”

3. 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)

4. 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.

5. God’s purpose for this mission is revelation, intimacy, and clarity (vs 17-20).
6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

3. Genesis 18:16-33 Abraham intercedes.
1.  The angels leave to carry out the will of God.
2. Abraham prays to Jesus, relying on the merciful nature of God.
4. Genesis 19: Destruction of Sodom
1. In the end, God accomplishes his will to judge.
2. Jesus is both redeemer and judge.
3. Key passage to demonstrate Christophany: vs 24.  Yahweh (on earth, staying with Abraham) rained down sulfur from Yahweh in heaven and consumed the cities.
5. Jesus comes to bring closeness:
1. Matthew 11:27
2. John 14:21
3. John 15:4, 15-16
4. John 17:3
6. Jesus comes to bring clarity:
1. 1 Cor 2:6-15
2. 1 Cor 13:11-13
3. 2 Cor 4:6
4. Eph 1:17-18
5. Heb 1:1-3
7. Jesus alone always bears the weight of the covenant
1. John 3:36
2. 1 Tim 2:5
3. 2 Cor 5:21
4. Gal 2:16

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you feel that God is far away or close by in your life? 
2. 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)?
3. Do you think you know what God’s plan for your life is?
4. Based on the story of Abraham, what can you do to know God’s plan for your life?
5. 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?