5 Let me get you something to eat, SO YOU CAN BE REFRESHED and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant.”
“Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.” Genesis 18
Middle eastern hospitality is rightly famous as the people will go to great lengths to bless visitors who come to them. Genesis 18 is a very significant chapter because three visitors from Heaven came down and met with Abraham and Sarah. It was Abraham’s offer of hospitality to these visitors that opened the door for God’s miraculous intervention in their lives and the future of all mankind. HOSPITALITY AND WILLINGNESS TO HELP OTHERS CAN OPEN DOORS WHICH MAY OTHERWISE REMAIN CLOSED!
6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahs of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.”
7 Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it.8 He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them.While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.
Abraham and Sarah really went to a lot of trouble to provide for the unexpected guests who’d come to their camp. I believe that there are times when we can encounter people in life who are sent to reveal the attitudes of our hearts and if we receive them then God will bless us in greater measure.
13 Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. 2 Do not forget to show HOSPITALITY TO STRANGERS, (NOT JUST FRIENDS AND FAMILY!) for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13
If people knew they were entertaining angels then they’d be much more attentive to their guest’s needs, but the Bible says we don’t know. Often the people who come to us may not appear grand or imposing, but it is our choice whether to bless and help them or not. In the case of Abraham and Sarah their willingness to receive the visitors opened the way for the birth of their miracle child Isaac and began the line of Messiah.
44 Then he turned towards the woman and said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven – as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.’
48 Then Jesus said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ Luke 7
No water, No kiss and No oil! It wasn’t that Simon the Pharisee hadn’t shown hospitality to the Lord, he’d invited Him to eat in his house, but in his heart he’d been judgemental. It was the woman who’d publicly humbled herself and shown great respect to the Lord who received the blessing. WHEN WE GIVE TO OTHERS, TO REFRESH THEM, WE SHOULD BE GENEROUS. WE SERVE A VERY GENEROUS GOD. HALLELUJAH
May the Lord bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.