Downloading Lion 10.7 from the App Store what next

It seems you don't get a disc anymore for old software. I erased my Macbook without first checking if I had a disc etc. Now find it requires Lion. Attempting reinstall macOS says missing some components so cannot install. So ordered Lion 10.7 only to find its an electronic/email version which I cannot access from the OS-less Macbook. If I can find a friend with a Mac, how do I get the software from the App Store into my MacBook?

Is it; on my friends Mac I login to the App Store and complete the download using the redeem code and save to a USB or Disc, then launch somehow from the Utilities?

Does anyone have some clear instructions that can solve my issue?