Abraham is not what I would consider "normal" for 99 years old.
Here's a couple observations I made today:
1 - Abraham is resting. In the shade. During the heat of the day. I've been on the Mediterranean during the heat of the day during the summer (I'm going to guess this was the summer because that's when it's really hot, you know?). It's hot. Really, really, reallllllly hot. It is only logical that one would sit in the shade. I recall being in Morocco during the middle of the day in June and it's pushin' 95 in the shade. Hotter in the sun, obviously. Isn't it interesting that Abraham is resting? He's resting when it's logical that he should rest. How often do I NOT rest?
2 - The Lord appears to Abraham while he is resting. Isn't that also interesting? If Abraham had been out rushing around with the flocks or traveling and trying to entertain himself, or even arguing with Sarah in the tent, he wouldn't have necessarily seen the Lord. He would have been too busy, preoccupied, and distracted to even notice the three strangers.
3 - Abraham approaches God enthusiastically. It says Abraham RAN to the three men. I have no idea if Abraham knew this was God on sight or not, but he certainly didn't hesitate to extend his BEST hospitality. He invites the men to sit in the shade (ie: share his place of rest - isn't that interesting?), and treats them with honor and respect. He asks, offers, but doesn't demand. He's willing to defer to their preference.
4 - Abraham pulls out all the stops to serve his visitors. He RUNS to the tent to ask Sarah to make food, he RUNS to the herd (I would presume this probably was at least a little ways away from the tents... And remember, it's still the heat of the day!), picks out a tender (ie: valuable) calf to be prepared, then returns to serve his visitors, waiting on them. It reminds me of that command to do EVERYTHING as unto the Lord - Abraham lived up to that here! Literally!
I was thinking about how often I do the opposite of what Abraham does here:
First, I don't stop and rest and reflect when it's logical times. I take off on trips around the world during my breaks. I pack hobbies and side trips into my weekends. I socialize until late. I don't often enough just stop and rest and allow time and space and peace for God to approach me to visit.
Second, when God DOES break through to me, when I'm not rushing around trying to multitask and commune with him while also doing my tasks (and, ultimately, doing poorly at both), I don't jump up and enthusiastically go about doing what I COULD do to serve him. I'm tired. I'm lazy. I'm selfish. Because I'm not rested up TO serve God, I don't make the effort.
I'm only 22 (that's 77 years younger than Abraham!!), but I don't do a fourth as much as he does in terms of appropriately responding to God - and waiting for Him to reveal how I can serve Him.
I have much to learn.
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