Gen 12:8, 18:1 | Clarke | e4.org | Verse 8. Beth-el ] The place which was afterwards called Beth-el by Jacob, for its first name was Luz . See . beith El literally signifies the house of God . And pitched his tent-and-builded an altar unto the Lord ] Where Abram has a tent , there God must have an ALTAR, as he well knows there is no safety but under the Divine protection. How few who build houses ever think on the propriety and necessity of building an altar to their Maker! The house in which the worship of God is not established cannot be considered as under the Divine protection. And called upon the name of the Lord. ] Dr. Shuckford strongly contends that kara beshem does not signify to call ON the name , but to invoke IN the name . So Abram invoked Jehovah in or by the name of Jehovah , who had appeared to him. He was taught even in these early times to approach God through a Mediator; and that Mediator, since manifested in the flesh, was known by the name Jehovah. Does not our Lord allude to such a discovery as this when he says, Abraham rejoiced to see my day ; and he saw it, and was glad ? . Hence it is evident that he was informed that the Christ should be born of his seed, that the nations of the world should be blessed through him; and is it then to be wondered at if he invoked God in the name of this great Mediator?

‏ Genesis 12:8

Verse 8. Beth-el] The place which was afterwards called Beth-el by Jacob, for its first name was Luz. See Ge 28:19. beith El literally signifies the house of God.

And pitched his tent-and-builded an altar unto the Lord] Where Abram has a tent, there God must have an ALTAR, as he well knows there is no safety but under the Divine protection. How few who build houses ever think on the propriety and necessity of building an altar to their Maker! The house in which the worship of God is not established cannot be considered as under the Divine protection.

And called upon the name of the Lord.] Dr. Shuckford strongly contends that kara beshem does not signify to call ON the name, but to invoke IN the name. So Abram invoked Jehovah in or by the name of Jehovah, who had appeared to him. He was taught even in these early times to approach God through a Mediator; and that Mediator, since manifested in the flesh, was known by the name Jehovah. Does not our Lord allude to such a discovery as this when he says, Abraham rejoiced to see my day; and he saw it, and was glad? Joh 8:56. Hence it is evident that he was informed that the Christ should be born of his seed, that the nations of the world should be blessed through him; and is it then to be wondered at if he invoked God in the name of this great Mediator?

‏ Genesis 18:1

CHAPTER XVIII

The Lord appears unto Abraham in Mamre, 1.

Three angels, in human appearance, come towards his tent, 2.

He invites them in to wash and refresh themselves, 3-5;

prepares a calf, bread, butter, and milk, for their entertainment; and himself serves them, 6-8.

They promise that within a year Sarah shall have a son, 9, 10.

Sarah, knowing herself and husband to be superannuated,

smiles at the promise, 11, 12.

One of the three, who is called the LORD or Jehovah, chides her, and asserts the sufficiency of the Divine power to accomplish the promise, 13, 14.

Sarah, through fear, denies that she had laughed or showed signs of unbelief, 15.

Abraham accompanies these Divine persons on their way to Sodom, 16;

and that one who is called Jehovah informs him of his purpose to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, because of their great wickedness, 17-21.

The two former proceed toward Sodom, while the latter (Jehovah) remains with Abraham, 22.

Abraham intercedes for the inhabitants of those cities, entreating the Lord to spare them provided fifty righteous persons should be found in them, 23-25.

The Lord grants this request, 26.

He pleads for the same mercy should only forty-five be found there; which is also granted, 27, 28.

He pleads the same for forty, which is also granted, 29;

for thirty, with the same success, 30;

for twenty, and receives the some gracious answer, 31;

for ten, and the Lord assures him that should ten righteous persons be found there, he will not destroy the place, 32.

Jehovah then departs, and Abraham returns to his tent, 33.

NOTES ON CHAP. XVIII

Verse 1. And the Lord appeared] See Clarke on Ge 15:1.

Sat in the tent door] For the purpose of enjoying the refreshing air in the heat of the day, when the sun had most power. A custom still frequent among the Asiatics.