Abraham saw that the Lord appeared to him by the Oaks of Mamre. There were two angels with him and Abraham ran out to offer them hospitality, including water to wash their feet and inviting them to rest while he brought them food. Then, he went to Sarah and had her bake bread while he chose a calf and had a man butcher and cook it. 

Abraham presented the food with curds and milk. While they ate, he stood by. The Lord asked where Sarah was, and told Abraham that by this time next year she would have a child, repeating the promise from the last chapter. Sarah, who was listening from the tent nearby heard and laughed because of her old age. Abraham asked her why she laughed and she denied it because she was afraid. They both had laughed because the promise seemed so far out of reach. 

After the visitors ate, the two angels began to travel towards Sodom, where Abraham’s nephew Lot lived. Because Abraham was to become a leader of a nation, he would hear what God was doing. The Lord said the outcry from wickedness of Sodom had come to him and they would see if the city deserved destruction. 

Abraham bargained with God to save the city. He asked the Lord to spare it if fifty righteous lived in the city. The Lord said he would, then Abraham asked if he would spare it for forty-five, then thirty, then twenty, or ten. The Lord agreed and left. 

Abraham has always been generous with his nephew, first allowing him to choose the best grazing land, then rescuing him from warring kings, and now begging God to spare his sinful city. Even though Abraham’s desired promise has not yet materialized, he is still a blessing to others.