“Then the Lord appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre, as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day. So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground, and said, “My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant. Please let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. And I will bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh your hearts. After that you may pass by, inasmuch as you have come to your servant.” They said, “Do as you have said.””
I find this passage fascinating! The thought that Abraham’s actions refreshed the heart of the Jehovah – the Eternal G-d, the Self Existent One – completely arrests my heart!! I am inspired, challenged, terrified and humbled by this story because I want to be one that refreshes the heart of G-d!
So the obvious questions for me are these: what does it even mean to “refresh” the heart of G-d and how did Abraham do it because I want in on that!
First – what does it mean to “refresh His heart”? The Hebrew word for refresh in this passage is “sa ad” (H5582) and means to sustain, support, strengthen, uphold, or comfort – and more specifically, to do so with food. I’m reminded of a meal I had this weekend on a girls trip. It was a fancy restaurant, with great service, that served incredibly delicious farm to table food, and when I was done – I felt comfortable, satisfied, and encouraged as a result of the meal and the atmosphere. That’s what I imagine this means
Second – how did Abraham do it? I think the answer is beautifully simple – he responded to G-d. Abraham ran toward G-d, Abraham bowed low, Abraham brought water for the Men to wash their feet, then Abraham had a meal prepared.
We don’t know by reading the passage but I think it’s safe to make an assumption that Abraham was thinking about G-d – after all, El Shaddai had just appeared to Abraham and told him he would be the father of many nations through a son named Isaac which seemed impossible given his and Sarai’s advanced age. I imagine Abraham had a lot to ponder! How?! What?! When?!
And in the midst of the pondering, G-d appeared to Abraham face to face, Abraham saw and recognized Him, and responded. Abraham responded by running to Him, bowing in worship and reverence before Him, bringing Him water to wash His feet, and having a meal prepared to refreshed Him!
Abraham was looking and pondering. Abraham saw G-d. Abraham recognized G-d. Then Abraham responded to G-d by worshipping Him.
Could it be that our response to G-d refreshes Him? That our worship is bread that leaves Him satisfied?
I know G-d doesn’t “need” anything – however the Bible does say it is good to praise Him and His attention is on those who worship Him (see Psalms 147 AMP).
May we be ones that recognize and respond when He comes. May we be ones that satisfy Him with worship.
Father – forgive me for making things about me so often. Too many times I am focused on me, distracted by the world, and not looking for You. I know You are all around. Turn my heart fully to You. Teach me how to worship in a way that honors You alone. Amen.