In Genesis 18, Abraham went out to greet three strangers. He took this idea of hospitality a step further. When the visitor is an ordinary person of equal rank, the host merely rises. But Abraham welcomes the strangers by bowing low to the ground and he offers himself as their “servant” even though he was a very wealthy man with servants of his own.
Abraham asks no questions. He expects no payment. He places no conditions upon his hospitality. He merely welcomes these total strangers as honored guests worthy of his very best food, effort, and attention. Only later, after the strangers have eaten and rested, does Abraham engage in conversation and discover their true divine identity.
Throughout the Scriptures we find that God is concerned with the treatment of strangers. He commands his people to act fairly toward strangers (Exodus 22:21), to provide food for them (Leviticus 19:10), and to love them as one of their own (Leviticus 19:34).
The Boomer Blogger
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2 comments:
Hi Ron,
In my missions travels I have discovered that this "inhospitable" phenomenon is a largely Western/American "thing." Even visiting places in the U.S. that are more community driven (Indian Reservations for example) there is a greater sense of hospitality than in the general population. When it comes to business, it seems we have some sense of "other-ness"...we do not "talk business" over lunch in preference to conversation and "getting to know you." Why do we not carry through with AT LEAST that same mindset in the Church? In most cultures it is RUDE to "grill" and/or ask questions before getting to know someone. Good thought...good challenge for the Western Church of Jesus Christ!
Paula,
Great questions!! Thank You!!
We have visited many churches throughout the US. One of the things we look for is how they respond to visitors. A fairly accurate estimate as to each church's spiritual temperature can be determmined by the way visitor's are received.
The more "sophisticated" we are the more estranged we become from one another.
Ron
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