NOTES for Gen 18:1-33
Today's reading consists of two very important passages. The first is the three Visitors at Abraham's home. This is one of the most important texts of the Old Testament, illustrating the dogma of the Most Holy Trinity. Everything here is strange: there are three of them, but one speaks; while speaking with them, Abraham is speaking with God. It is precisely this text that became the basis for Rublev's Trinity, which many recognize as one of the most convincing commentaries on the text.
The second passage is one of the very first hidden messianic prophecies. Although both in the ancient world and today the idea of collective responsibility for evil is very strong, Abraham asks the essential question of whether the righteous person will perish for the sins of the wicked. The evil of Sodom and Gomorrah is beyond doubt; it is obvious to Abraham too. But in his conversation with God he asks not what the punishment will be, but whether there is a possibility of salvation. How often we lack Abraham's liveliness in our prayers. He bargains with God to the very end, until God, by His departure, reveals to him the greatest truth. It says that God is merciful. He is ready to open to Abraham the depth of His mercy and to point out directly to us the way by which that mercy will appear: there will be a Righteous One through whom the whole city will be saved.