Three men come to visit Abraham, who is a semi-nomadic shepherd, living with his wife and his servants in tents. The travelers who come his way are few, and those who arrive are treated with the respect and hospitality we might assume would be accorded kings. Like the bedouins of the Arabian peninsula, for Abraham the law of hospitality is absolute. When these men come, he bows before them, asks them to stay to refresh themselves, and has a feast prepared for them.
It is not clear whether or not he recognizes at first that they are heavenly visitors. Perhaps this is the welcome he gives to all visitors. But indeed soon he finds that it is God himself along with two angels he has been entertaining, and they have great news for Abraham and his wife Sarah: next year Sarah will have a son. Abraham and Sarah have been waiting 25 years for this son, since the first time God gave the promise to Abraham, and now it is finally the right time.
Very nice. I like the postion of Abe. And the newt!
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