Topic(s): Jesus, Old Testament

Todd Clippard

The language of the text indicates that one of the three men who appeared to Abraham was indeed the LORD. He is referred to as the LORD (Yahweh) in Genesis 18:13 (as opposed to "Lord" - Adonai in verse 3). Looking at the remaining references to the LORD in chapter 18 reveal it was indeed Yahweh, and probably Christ in particular (cf "the angel of the LORD" – Genesis 16:7ff). In 18:33, the Lord “went His way” after Abraham had "bargained" with Him in an attempt to save Sodom.

Chapter 19 begins with the two angels taking leave of the Lord to go to Sodom to warn Lot of the impending doom of the cities of the plain. In verse 13 they tell Lot the Lord has sent them to destroy the city. In verse 16, they are the instruments of God's mercy as they carry Lot and his family outside the city while they lingered.