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I. As A COMMON DUTY.

II. AS A DUTY OF PIETY. Thus viewed, all duties are ennobled.

1. In their form.

2. In their motive.

3. The best qualities of the soul are developed.

III. As A DUTY WHICH IS PROPHETIC OF SOMETHING BEYOND ITSELF, AS genius does not always know all it utters, so the faithful and loving heart cannot always relate what it holds. Such was the ease with Abraham in his history. His duty rapidly rises in the form and meaning of it.

1. He entertains men on the principles of common hospitality (ver. 2).

2. He entertains angels.

3. He entertains God.

(T. H. Leale.)

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KJV: And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;

WEB: Yahweh appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day.