Yesterday’s reading ended with the hope and promise of an heir to carry the grand promises God had made to Abram. Today’s reading begins with Abram’s attempt to manage the promise by conceiving an heir with Sarai’s servant, Hagar.

Now, as odd as this story might seem to us, there was nothing unusual about it in Abram’s time. A child born to Sarai’s slave would be legally considered to be Sarai’s child. This means that not only would Sarai lose her reproach as barren, but Abram would have a defined heir, and his possessions, and most importantly, his property in Canaan, would remain in the family.

However, the LORD has other plans. Notice through chapters 17 and 18 that the LORD reveals first to Abram (now known as Abraham), and then to his wife (now known as Sarah), that she will bear the son who will carry the promise. Sarah’s disbelief is contrasted with Abraham’s faithfulness… but let’s understand that they are both experiencing something profound and unique for which they had no point of reference.

When the three men arrive in chapter 18, notice how the author jumps back and forth between referring to them as “the three men” and at other times as “the LORD.” This is one of the most fascinating conversations in the whole Bible, and unfortunately sets up the negotiations that surround the destruction of Sodom. Notice how, in each of these discussions, the LORD listens to Abraham, pushes Abraham, but doesn’t condescend or humiliate Abraham.

The reading closes with a few disturbing scenes – the depth of Sodom’s disgrace, the chains that bind Lot’s wife, and the corruption of Lot’s daughters. This is the last time we’ll see Lot, and last impressions are sometimes more important than first impressions. The author might be communicating something about Lot and his family by leaving us with these final glimpses.

Hopefully you’re realizing that the Bible doesn’t shy away from dark corners. The subject of the story, again, is God, and it’s His character that we’re to pay the most attention to.

I hope you’ve memorized it by now, but our verse for this week is John 1:1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Genesis chapters 16 through 19. Now let’s read it!