Servant of the living God
“And the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth.” ESV Genesis 18:1-2
Would you recognize God if he knocked on your door? Seriously, do you know God well enough that you would have a clue it was Him at the door? Would you instantly recognize him and welcome Him into your home in the same way you would recognize your boss standing on your front porch and welcome him or her in? Or would you pull the blinds, hit the lights, mute the television and ignore the strangers on the porch? Hmmm…
Well it wasn’t a dilemma for Abraham. When God came calling in bodily form (LORD) Abraham recognized Him and his companions immediately. Notice that there were three visitors, and while the bible is not altogether clear on this, a strong case can be made for the three visitors all being of a divine nature; clearly though, Abraham perceived one as God in a human form. But I digress.
At first glimpse of the trio Abraham sprang to his feet, then ran and greeted them with utmost respect and humility; hardly the kind of greeting we might envision a stranger receiving from the patriarch. No, this was a greeting reserved for a dear friend, a king, or boss (lord). Greetings aside, their arrival set the whole farm, from his wife to his servants, abuzz—at Abraham’s command, water was brought for the guests to freshen up, Sarah was set to baking bread and farm hands slaughtered and prepared the hand picked, tender calf for the main course. At the same time others were sent to gather curds and milk to complement the main course. It must have been a feast to behold! I can almost smell it.
Dinner prepared, the wealthy, the mighty Abraham whose descendents would be “as many as the stars of heaven” set the meal before his guests and then “he stood by them under the tree while they ate.” (Gen. 18:8) Did you catch it? He stood by them. He didn’t partake of the meal. He didn’t sit at the head of the table. He didn’t fish for compliments as a gracious host. No, he took on the manner of a servant and stood by them as they ate.
You see, Abraham had the pleasure of knowing and serving the living God. He served Him with his time. He served him with and through his family. He served him with his possessions. He served him through his vocation. Abraham happily served God with all his heart, soul and mind. Abraham knew God personally.
God revealed Himself to Abraham in various ways, but today, He most commonly reveals Himself in scripture. Won’t you spend some time getting to know Him today? God bless.
-Ken Askew
Would you recognize God if he knocked on your door? Seriously, do you know God well enough that you would have a clue it was Him at the door? Would you instantly recognize him and welcome Him into your home in the same way you would recognize your boss standing on your front porch and welcome him or her in? Or would you pull the blinds, hit the lights, mute the television and ignore the strangers on the porch? Hmmm…
Well it wasn’t a dilemma for Abraham. When God came calling in bodily form (LORD) Abraham recognized Him and his companions immediately. Notice that there were three visitors, and while the bible is not altogether clear on this, a strong case can be made for the three visitors all being of a divine nature; clearly though, Abraham perceived one as God in a human form. But I digress.
At first glimpse of the trio Abraham sprang to his feet, then ran and greeted them with utmost respect and humility; hardly the kind of greeting we might envision a stranger receiving from the patriarch. No, this was a greeting reserved for a dear friend, a king, or boss (lord). Greetings aside, their arrival set the whole farm, from his wife to his servants, abuzz—at Abraham’s command, water was brought for the guests to freshen up, Sarah was set to baking bread and farm hands slaughtered and prepared the hand picked, tender calf for the main course. At the same time others were sent to gather curds and milk to complement the main course. It must have been a feast to behold! I can almost smell it.
Dinner prepared, the wealthy, the mighty Abraham whose descendents would be “as many as the stars of heaven” set the meal before his guests and then “he stood by them under the tree while they ate.” (Gen. 18:8) Did you catch it? He stood by them. He didn’t partake of the meal. He didn’t sit at the head of the table. He didn’t fish for compliments as a gracious host. No, he took on the manner of a servant and stood by them as they ate.
You see, Abraham had the pleasure of knowing and serving the living God. He served Him with his time. He served him with and through his family. He served him with his possessions. He served him through his vocation. Abraham happily served God with all his heart, soul and mind. Abraham knew God personally.
God revealed Himself to Abraham in various ways, but today, He most commonly reveals Himself in scripture. Won’t you spend some time getting to know Him today? God bless.
-Ken Askew
posted by TBC at
1/21/2009 05:21:00 PM
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