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We established that the three men are the Lord himself and two angels. OK Let’s hear what Abraham says to them.

“He said, “If I have found favour in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree”. Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant.” “Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.”

(Gen. 18: 3-4)

In other words, Abraham extends hospitality to them, expressing it by offering to wash their feet and give them something to eat. So, he invites them in, and they say yes.

“So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahs of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.” Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.

(Gen. 18: 6-8)

These verses tells us Abraham tells Sarah to hurry and prepare some bread which was the equivalent in Bible times of fast food. It told us earlier in the passage that it was the heat of the day meaning it was midafternoon and they normally wouldn't have made bread until later for the evening meal. The reason he's having to tell her to do this now is because there wouldn’t be any bread ready yet. So, he says, we have some visitors, so go make some bread and whilst she is doing that he runs to the heard and he picks out the best calf. Giving it to one of the servants to prepare it for the evening feast. Please note only on special occasions did people eat beef at that time. Therefore, Abraham must have viewed this as a significant, special occasion. The fatted calf is sent for meaning he selects the best calf and tells the young man to prepare the calf in butter and milk and as the food is served Abraham just stands near by waiting upon them under a tree.

I’d like to pause for a minute and talk about the fact that a lot of attention is given in this passage to the fact that they were eating well and were being treated as special guests. I think that's a crucial part of this passage. So, why labour the point that they ate so well? I'm not alone in suggesting that the significance of this is fellowship. One commentator says, I quote, “Eating together was a sign of intimate fellowship (friendship) in Abraham's culture”. Their eating together in fellowship is akin to eating together as friends. In John 15, Jesus is referenced as talking about friendship and says this

“You are my friends if you do whatever I command you”.

(John 15: 14)

There's a difference between being a believer and being a friend. To be a believer you must trust in Christ. To be a friend you have to go beyond that and begin to start obeying the Lord. Jesus then went on to say.

No longer do I call you servants for a servant does not know what his master is doing but I called you friends. For all things that I heard from my father I have made known to you.

(John. 15: 15-16)

That's what happens when you have fellowship with the Lord. The Lord reveals himself too you like a friend. Would you like to be friends with the Lord? Abraham did and the tenor of the passage suggests that Abraham knew that the Lord and the two other angels had come on some kind of a special mission. His eagerness to get the fellowship meal prepared I think implies that he was eager to know if they had come to bring some kind of a special message. A special message that he was keen to hear, Abraham wants to know what they have to say.

Before finishing this section today, I just want to pause for a moment to say God would love to have fellowship with you. God would like to take you to dinner, so to speak. The Lord wants to have fellowship with you and I, today. To reveal his word to you, to share stuff with you. To sit and sup with you, as it says in Revelation. Interested?

Spend some time with the Lord, spend some time in his word and the Lord will reveal his truth to you. In order that you can become obedient to him. In order that you can then become His friend. That's the first part of the passage now it gets real, interesting in verses 9 and 10 which is where we will pick it up next time.