The New Testament admonishes us to be open to entertaining visitors, noting that some of old did so to angels without realising it. Of course, they got their rewards. Shortly after Abraham entertained the visitors, a number of things unfolded. Firstly, he got a new assurance that his wife would conceive and give birth to a son. That was not the first time such promise came to him; the difference was that a time frame was attached. One year after that visit and against all odds, Sarah became a proud mother. For a mere meal, Abraham and Sarah received a blessing that was more than the whole of the material world put together.

We are called into the same ministry; we are to give ourselves in selfless devotion to seeing others saved.

Something else happened. God unveiled His intention to Abraham. The plight of Sodom and the imminent judgment was brought to his notice. This brings us to our text. Hearing of what was coming on Sodom, Abraham “stood before the Lord”. This gives us a clear understanding of what intercession means; it is standing before the Lord on behalf of others. Just as he did when he entertained the visitors ever before he knew that they were from heaven, he began to intercede for Sodom with no idea of those who lived there apart from Lot and family. Several verses in Genesis 18 details how Abraham negotiated for souls of men and destiny of nations. We are called into the same ministry; we are to give ourselves in selfless devotion to seeing others saved.