Entertaining Angels
By Adiya Israel (House of Officer Job)
Being a gracious host is an art that our forefathers and mothers mastered, and many times their guest arrivals were unknown or with little notification. With our growing nation and our men traveling more and longer distances, we as women must be prepared to host at the drop of a dime. How do we become a servant to each other? Not just in our homes, but everywhere and everyday? We must look to the scriptures for such righteous examples.
Our forefather Abraham received 3 guests unexpectedly and he was so humbled to see them from afar, that he made haste to show them great hospitality, along with our foremother Sarah. Genesis 18:1-6 KJV 1.And the Lord appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day 2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground 3 And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:4 Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:5 And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.6 And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth.
Let’s look at Mary and Martha and how they received Christ, serving him and giving good company: Luke 10:38-42 KJV 38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
God has set the blueprint for us in all aspects of life to include hospitality. To treat each other as we would ourselves even in travel: Leviticus 19:33-34 KJV33 And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him.33 But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. To have the love of hospitality: Titus 1:8 KJV But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;.Receiving each other as Christ received us Romans 15:7 KJV Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. To also have the faith and to put forth good works: 1 Timothy 5:10 KJV 10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.
By following the blueprint set for us by God and the examples given by our forefathers and mothers, we will gain this skill. Allowing us to show righteous hospitality to one another by treating our brothers and sisters as we would ourselves. Offering ourselves as servants and putting in good works towards those that are also servants of The Most High. You never know, you could be entertaining angels: Hebrews 13:1-2 Let brotherly love continue. 2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
MHNCBU!