Discourses On the book of Genesis

racter, as well as the particular interest which the Almighty disposer of events appears to have taken with his beloved and faithful follower. It must be fresh in your recollection that in obedience to the command of God, Abraham had just undergone the ceremony of Circumcision with all the readiness and good will which evinced the great reverence he always had for the precepts of the Divine Creator of the Universe. In the commencement of this section of the Bible we perceive the benign aspect with which on this occasion the Almighty regards his devout votary. "And the Lord appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre; and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day." Genesis 18: 1. Abraham must have enjoyed an indescribable delight from such a divine manifestation, and his soul must have been highly gratified with so remarkable a sign of the Almighty's approbation of the ready compliance with his rule. No wonder then that he became more fixed in his faith, and more confident in his God. At this period we may also notice the kind and hospitable character of Abraham as shown to us by the manner in which he gave a pressing invitation to strangers, who appeared to be passing his tent as he sat enjoying the warmth of the sun. In a truly simple but earnest manner, Abraham requested them to take some refreshment at his habitation. He, according to custom, had their feet washed from the dust, and cooled by the application of fresh water. He then hastened to p...