Old Testament | Genesis 18:1-14 (with Nick Locke)

Opening Song:
Covenant by Andy and Rachel Graham

Lyrics:
A solemn oath from God to man,
For the seed of Abraham.
Wrought in fire and sealed with blood,
Ratified by God the Son.

The righteous seed, the chosen one,
Remembrance of God's mercy come.
Quick to rescue, strong to save,
God in flesh, in blood, in bone.

You are God to us, You are God to us
You are God to us, You keep your covenant

This covenant at Calvary
Hangs upon a sinner's tree.
Death and grave could not contain.
Raised to life, he overcame!

You are God to us, You are God to us
You are God to us, You keep your covenant

We call on the name of the Lord, YHWH
We call on the name of the Lord.
We call on the name of the Lord,
YHWH, YHWH

We call on the name of the Lord, YHWH
We call on the name of the Lord.
We call on the name of the Lord,
YHWH, YHWH

Filled with power from on high.
Holy Spirit, God divine.
In my life your will be done.
Father let your kingdom come.

Passage:
And the Lord appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. 2 He 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 3 and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. 4 Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, 5 while 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.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” 6 And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes.” 7 And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly. 8 Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate.

9 They said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the tent.” 10 The Lord said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” 13 The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.”
(Genesis 18:1-14 ESV)

Musical Reflection:
Prelude in C Major, BWV 846 by J.S. Bach

Reflection Notes:
Bach’s well-known prelude spins out a series of modulations, almost imperceptible at first. The new harmonies continually unfold in a way that intrigues but never shocks.

Prayer:
Father, what we know not, teach us; what we have not, give us; what we are not, make us; for the sake of your Son our Savior. Amen.
-Old Anglican Prayer