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” (v. 1). 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.

Genesis 19:1-3

2007.Jun.24 02:50

Hospitality II

Read Genesis 19:1-3 Full Chapter

The two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed himself with his face to the earth and said, “My lords, please turn aside to your servant’s house and spend the night and wash your feet. Then you may rise up early and go on your way.” They said, “No; we will spend the night in the town square.” But he pressed them strongly; so they turned aside to him and entered his house. And he made them a feast and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.(Genesis 19:1-3, ESV)

So, the two angels who had gone with Jehovah to meet Abraham arrive at the gate of Sodom. Jehovah, who, as I understand it, had appeared incarnate alongside with these angels, apparently doesn’t continue on to Sodom in such incarnate form. Anyway, the company recorded is now two. And who should they encounter, but the nephew of the very Abraham whom earlier had given them a meal at his tent. Lot’s biggest Biblical appearance up to this point is his parting of ways with Abraham, and the issues that preceded it.

Lot, I’ve noted, seems to have benefited greatly from the blessings on his uncle and aunt, but there’s no indication that he developed any kind of relationship with Jehovah, or strove for obedience and faith as his relatives have (generally) done. And when Abraham offered Lot his choice of the land, Lot chose the cities of the plain, despite their notoriety for sin, happy to stay there even after being pummeled in war. But he did seem to learn some hospitality. Although, perhaps because I know the end of this story, Lot’s hospitality strikes me as maybe less genuine.

Lot invites the angels to spend the night at his house. Honorable enough (well, maybe). They initially refused, but “he urged them greatly” (v3, ASV) and they relent. Like Abraham, Lot prepares and/or has prepared a meal for his guests. So, he does seek to do bless them, and to do the right thing. I can however think of two things that contribute to the unsavory taste Lot leaves me with:

1. My reading is that Lot pressed them against their plans until they gave in. Maybe that was the right thing to do, but had I been in their shoes, it would have greatly annoyed me. That might be a personal problem with me, though. Not sure. In either event, Lot does keep them from their intended business, which was to observe the city. Then again, the city does manage to make itself observable in the end.
2. Speaking in hindsight, Lot ought to anticipate what will come. He is a poor host in that he has lived in Sodom and is familiar with their acceptance of sin, and lack of hospitality. On the other hand, he has two daughters who at least haven’t been raped yet (Genesis 19:8), as one might expect they would have been, judging by the crowd later in this chapter. So, maybe he didn’t have full warning.

If anything, the passage is a reminder that hospitality and kindness are more than just a set of rules. Lot does all the right things, but somehow he misses the (possibly glaring) issue of protecting his guests. Hopefully without sounding too trite, one of the reasons we so need God’s wisdom is because it can be so easy, in the moment, to miss what in hindsight was so obvious.