And the LORD appeared to [Abraham] by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. 2He 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 3and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. 4Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, 5while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” (Genesis 18:1-5)

When I was growing up in the 1960s, there was an etiquette to greeting people who came to your door and for answering the telephone. I remember this distinctly because my mom made it a point to allow me to answer both the door and the phone in my early years to see if I was doing both correctly.

Don't call before 8:30 am. When you answer the phone, say, "Hello." Follow up using manners like, "Yessir, no sir, thank you." If they ask for your mom or dad, never say, "They aren't home," simply say they aren't available. Don't call someone after 8:30 pm.

The greeting for the door went much the same way, except learn to make good eye contact. Open the door only, not the screen door, especially if it's a stranger.

Abraham, who in the previous passage of Genesis went from Abram to Abraham, the name of the man with whom God (Yahweh - the LORD) made a covenant, and he recognizes the LORD from the previous encounters. Theologians note this is the pre-incarnate Christ who has come to earth on behalf of the Father and is greeted by Abraham, who shows the traditional greeting of the time to offer food and rest to the traveler (much like my parents' time growing up).

The LORD is on His way to Sodom and Gomorrah to unleash wrath for their sin, but the three travelers stop to see Abraham and to tell him that Sarah, his wife advanced in years, will bear a son as part of the covenant.

Abraham is bold enough to intercede on behalf of Sodom and Gomorrah, and the LORD listens and eventually agrees to spare those who are innocent within the two cities. Psalm 27, which was used yesterday, shows David praising God before He asks for His ear for supplication. Abraham does much the same by showing Him honor and offering Him rest and comfort. Only after being in HIs presence and honoring Him does he attempt to request that God listen and show compassion on the sinful lot of people.

How do we show hospitality in this day and age to the weary traveler? How do we reverence God? How do we intervene for those we care about with God?

Pray we honor God in all we say and do, including loving our neighbor as ourselves. Pray we honor God in what we ask of Him, including prayers for those in need. We pray that God hear our prayers and answer them, and we pray we seek His Will in whatever His answer is.