Genesis 18:1-8
2007.Jun.04 01:06
Hospitality
Read Genesis 18:1-8 | Full Chapter
Hospitality, let’s say, is not one of my forte’s. I’m a bit shy mixed with a lot of loner. Having people over is never the first thought on my mind. Inviting a guest into my home in order to help them out, whether stranger or no, is even farther. I could blame this on my aforementioned character traits or on my culture, but blame buys me nothing with God, save perhaps a slap upside the head.
Abraham quickly went to his tent and said to Sarah, “Hurry! Get a large sack of flour and make some bread.” After saying this, he rushed off to his herd of cattle and picked out one of the best calves, which his servant quickly prepared. He then served his guests some yogurt and milk together with the meat.
(Genesis 18:6-8, CEV)
Let me set this up. Abraham is ninety-nine years old here (See Genesis 21:2,5). It’s a "hot summer afternoon" (Genesis 18:1, CEV) . Three guys show up. Abraham now runs around getting a meal prepared along with his wife, Sarah. Remember, 99 years old, hot summer afternoon. Why? Well, this passage starts off "Now the LORD appeared to him…When he lifted up his eyes and looked, behold, three men were standing opposite him" (Genesis 18:1,2, NASB) . Having looked at several versions, I think Abraham had a vision of Jehovah, and when the vision was over, looked up to see these three men. Alternately, perhaps verse 1 is just a summary of what is about to happen. Still, unless Jehovah, in the vision, specifically said “Three men are coming, treat them well,” I could well understand Abraham ignoring them.
But he doesn’t. Abraham actually goes to these men and asks them to stop by, so that he can bless them, by giving them food and water to wash their feet. And while they eat, Abraham stands nearby and waits. And I find myself again so admiring this trait of Abraham, that he uses the blessings Jehovah has poured out on him to bless others. In this case, it happens to be Jehovah and/or messengers from him (I can’t tell which), but it is a lifestyle of blessing others that ensures that Abraham does not ignore this sacred visit.
Perhaps that is the root of true hospitality. A lifestyle of blessings others as God blesses me. And one of the neatest things here is to note that this is a family and household trait, as Sarah and at least one servant share in the preparation.
