👉🏾👉🏾👉🏾The Revelation of the #Holy #Trinity in the #House of #Abraham (#Hamle 7)
“O depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” (Romans 11:33)
On Hamle 7 , we commemorate one of the most mysterious and sacred encounters recorded in Holy Scripture the appearance of the Holy Trinity in the house of our forefather Abraham. This event, recorded in Genesis 18, is not merely a story of divine visitation, but a profound mystery through which the unity and triune nature of God are revealed in figure and prophecy. It is a mystery the Church reveres as a prefiguration of the Incarnation and a call to live lives of faith, hospitality, and holiness.
Abraham’s Hospitality and Satan’s Deceit
Abraham, the friend of God, was known for his deep humility and generous hospitality. Daily, he would pitch his tent on the road and welcome weary travelers with food and rest. But the devil, always opposing righteousness, disguised himself as a wounded man and began spreading lies claiming Abraham no longer received guests and that those who entered his house were harmed. Through this deceit, he managed to prevent travelers from coming.
Abraham, distressed by the absence of guests, fasted for three days and declared: “I will not eat at the table of God without a witness.” His faith and persistence moved the heart of God.
The Holy Trinity Appears in Human Form
On the third day, God, seeing Abraham’s devotion, “appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre” in the form of three men (Genesis 18:1). Though three appeared, Abraham spoke to them as one Lord, saying, “If I have found favor in Your sight, do not pass by Your servant.” The Church Fathers interpret this as the revelation of the Trinity in unity three persons, one essence.
Abraham hastened to show honor to the visitors. He begged them to rest, wash, and eat. He ran to Sarah and said, “Quickly prepare three measures of fine flour,” and he slaughtered a young calf, which was prepared and offered. In divine mystery, though God does not eat or drink, He accepted this offering as if He ate, just as fire receives butter without being altered by it.
And behold a marvel. The ox, once slaughtered, rose and proclaimed: “Glory to the Father, glory to the Son, glory to the Holy Spirit!” What creature has ever been given such a voice unless it was by divine will, to testify of the Triune God?
The Announcement of Isaac and the Virgin Birth
The Lord then asked, “Where is Sarah your wife?” not in ignorance, but to draw attention to the joyful promise. He said, “I will return next year, and Sarah shall bear a son.” Sarah laughed silently, pondering her age and barrenness. But God, knowing her heart, asked, “Why did Sarah laugh? Is anything too hard for God?” (Gen. 18:14)
This same question echoes centuries later when the angel Gabriel told the Virgin Mary she would bear the Son of God: “How can this be, since I know not a man?” (Luke 1:34). And the angel replied, “For nothing shall be impossible with God” (Luke 1:37). In both cases, the power of God shone forth to show that He who opens barren wombs also causes virgins to give birth.
The Theological Mystery of the Trinity Revealed
The three men represent the Holy Trinity.
The single address (“My Lord…”) reveals the oneness of essence.
The three measures of flour symbolize the unity of the Trinity in action.
The eating of the meal signifies God's condescension and participation in human affairs not in bodily needs, but to bless and commune.
This encounter is not anthropomorphic fantasy, but a divine mystery veiled in human form. The Fathers teach that the Trinity ate as fire consumes without changing revealing God's accommodation to human frailty while remaining unaffected in His divinity.
Continues 👇🏾