Abraham's Visitors
"Is anything too difficult for the LORD?"
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Story
What happened?
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The whole story, in shortWhat happens, start to finish. Open it if you want the ending first.
Three visitors came to Abraham's tent in the heat of the day, and he ran to welcome them with a feast. One of them was the LORD, who promised that Sarah, though very old, would have a son, and when Sarah laughed, he asked, "Is anything too difficult for the LORD?" Then the LORD told Abraham about the outcry against Sodom, and Abraham pleaded for the city until God agreed to spare it for the sake of ten righteous people.
Where it is in the Bible: Genesis 18
Who’s who and what came beforePeople, places, and the story so far. Open it anytime.
Scene Card
Cast
- Abraham: The man God called to leave his home. God promised to make his family a great nation (12:1-2).
- Sarah: Abraham's wife. She is about ninety and has never had a child.
- Three visitors: Three men who stop at Abraham's tent. One of them is the LORD.
- The LORD: God. LORD in capital letters stands for God's personal name. Jewish readers traditionally don't say it aloud, out of respect.
Setting
- Abraham's tent by the great trees of Mamre, near Hebron, in the land of Canaan. Then a hilltop looking toward the city of Sodom.
When
- About 4,000 years ago, long before Moses or David.
Before the Story
God made Abraham a promise. He said Abraham's family would be as many as the stars (15:5).
Years went by, and there was no baby. Abraham was almost one hundred. Sarah was about ninety (17:17).
God gave them new names. Abram became Abraham, which means "father of many." Sarai became Sarah. God said Sarah would have a son (17:5, 17:15-16).
Here's what you know that Sarah doesn't: God has already promised her a son. She is about to hear it for herself.
Map of the Story
| Scene | Verses | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Three men at noon | 18:1-8 | Abraham welcomes three strangers with a feast |
| 2. Sarah laughs | 18:9-15 | The LORD says Sarah will have a son |
| 3. Looking toward Sodom | 18:16-21 | The LORD tells Abraham what he plans |
| 4. Fifty, forty-five, forty... | 18:22-33 | Abraham pleads for the city |
Plain Retelling
Scene 1 of 4Three Men at Noon
It was the hottest part of the day. Abraham was sitting at the entrance of his tent.
He looked up and saw three men standing nearby.
Abraham ran to meet them and bowed low to the ground. He begged them to stop and rest.
He brought water to wash their feet. He said, "Rest under the tree, and I'll bring you a bit of bread."
A "bit of bread" turned into a feast. Abraham hurried to Sarah and told her to bake bread. He ran to his herd and picked out a tender calf to cook.
He served them meat, milk, and curds, and stood nearby under the tree while they ate.
Scene 2 of 4Sarah Laughs
"Where is your wife Sarah?" they asked (18:9).
"There, in the tent," Abraham said (18:9).
Then the LORD said, "I will surely return to you at this time next year, and your wife Sarah will have a son!" (18:10).
Sarah was listening behind the tent door. She was far too old to have a baby.
So she laughed to herself.
The LORD asked Abraham why Sarah laughed. Then he asked, "Is anything too difficult for the LORD?" (18:14).
Sarah was afraid. "I did not laugh," she said (18:15).
"No," replied the LORD, "but you did laugh" (18:15).
Scene 3 of 4Looking Toward Sodom
When the men got up to leave, they looked down toward the city of Sodom. Abraham walked with them.
The LORD said he would not hide his plans from Abraham. Through Abraham, all the nations of the earth would be blessed.
Then the LORD said there was a great outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah. Their sin was very great.
An outcry is a loud cry for help or justice. People in those cities were being hurt.
The LORD would go and see.
Scene 4 of 4Fifty, Forty-Five, Forty...
The two other men went on toward Sodom. But Abraham stayed, standing before the LORD.
Abraham came near and asked, "Will You really sweep away the righteous with the wicked?" (18:23). Righteous means people who do what is right.
What if there were fifty good people in the city?
"Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?" (18:25).
The LORD said, "If I find fifty, I will spare the whole city for their sake."
Abraham kept going. "I am but dust and ashes" (18:27), he said. What about forty-five? Forty? Thirty? Twenty?
Each time, the LORD said yes.
Finally Abraham asked, "Suppose ten are found there?" (18:32).
"On account of the ten, I will not destroy it" (18:32).
Then the LORD left, and Abraham went home.
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "He ran from the entrance of his tent to meet them" (18:2) | Abraham welcomed strangers eagerly, in the heat of the day. |
| "Your wife Sarah will have a son!" (18:10) | God repeated his promise, this time with a date. |
| "She laughed to herself" (18:12) | It sounded impossible to her. |
| "Is anything too difficult for the LORD?" (18:14) | Nothing God promises is impossible for him. |
| "Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?" (18:25) | Abraham trusted that God is fair. |
| "I am but dust and ashes" (18:27) | Abraham knew he was small, and spoke to God anyway. |
| "On account of the ten, I will not destroy it" (18:32) | God was willing to spare a whole city for a few good people. |
Back Then
Welcoming travelers was a sacred duty. In the desert, a traveler without water and shade could die. A host gave the best he had.
Three seahs of flour was a lot. It was enough bread for a big crowd, not three men.
Sarah's son was named Isaac. His name means "he laughs." When he was born, Sarah said God had brought her laughter (21:6).
Literal Reader Alert
Was one of the visitors really God? The story says "the LORD appeared to Abraham" (18:1). Some Christians believe this was the Son of God, before he was born as Jesus. Others see it as God speaking through his messengers.
Did Abraham change God's mind? Abraham was learning how merciful God is. God invited him to ask. God's mercy was even greater than Abraham's asking.
Is it okay to argue with God? Abraham spoke to God boldly, but humbly. The Bible is full of honest prayers. God wants us to bring him our questions and our concerns for others.
What happened to Sodom? Not even ten good people were found. God rescued Abraham's nephew Lot and his daughters before the city was destroyed (19:15-16, 19:29).
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Abraham | Eager | He ran to welcome the strangers (18:2) |
| Sarah | Doubtful | She laughed at the promise (18:12) |
| Sarah | Afraid | She was caught laughing (18:15) |
| Abraham | Concerned | He pleaded for the people of Sodom (18:23) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
Which part of the story is for you? Tap one.
It seems impossible
"Is anything too difficult for the LORD?" Bring it to God.
I laughed too
Sarah doubted, and God still kept his promise.
I pray for others
Like Abraham, you can ask God to show mercy to people you care about.
Welcoming people
Abraham welcomed strangers. Who could you welcome?
You Might Have Heard
"God is just waiting to punish people."
What's true: God is a fair Judge. He hears the cry of people who are being hurt.
What the story is mainly about: God told Abraham his plans, and let him ask for mercy. God was willing to spare a whole city for the sake of ten good people. His heart leans toward mercy.
Where Jesus is: Abraham asked God to spare many for the sake of a few righteous people. Jesus is the one righteous man. For his sake, God spares and forgives everyone who trusts in him (Romans 5:19).
Good News
Sarah laughed, because God's promise sounded impossible. God kept it anyway.
"Is anything too difficult for the LORD?" (18:14).
The next year, Isaac was born, and Sarah laughed for joy. Through Abraham's family, Jesus would come, the blessing for all nations. God keeps his promises, even when we doubt.
Nothing is too difficult for the LORD. He keeps his promises, and his heart leans toward mercy.
Big Idea
Three visitors brought Abraham and Sarah God's promise of a son. Nothing is too difficult for the LORD, and he loves to show mercy.
If this story brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther loved Abraham's prayer for Sodom. He said Abraham shows how believers can pray boldly, holding God to his own goodness and mercy.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. In Year C, it reads Genesis 18:1-10a in July (Lectionary 16), next to the story of Mary and Martha, and Genesis 18:20-32 the next week (Lectionary 17), next to Jesus teaching about prayer.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
Is anything too difficult for the LORD?
How did that feel?
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Lectionary 16 Year CFirst reading, Genesis 18:1–10a
- Lectionary 17 Year CFirst reading, Genesis 18:20–32
For a newsletter or sermon notes
Abraham's Visitors, explained in plain words. Three strangers come to Abraham's tent. Sarah laughs at their promise. About 9 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/abrahams-visitors/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church