1The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. 2Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.
3He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, a do not pass your servant by. 4Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. 5Let 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.”6So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahs of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.”7Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. 8He 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.9“Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him.“There, in the tent,” he said.10Then one of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.”
Abraham was full of hospitality, He invited his nephew Lot to come with him and then gave him the choice of land. Here, Abraham entertains angels unawares (Hebrews 13:2 may be referring to this passage). Abraham shows the common ways of hospitality. He treated them with respect, welcomed them and even encouraged them to come stay in his camp. Then he had water brought to refresh them, had Sarah work with him to prepare food, had a calf killed for them, along with curds and milk- the finest food of his nomadic life.
It usually takes work to be hospitable. Today there is a whole industry called "The Hospitality Industry" made of hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues. But hospitality had its roots in the home. It is still hospitality to go out together at a restaurant or put someone up in a hotel room when they come visit. For many with big enough homes, hospitality centers around the places they live. It is an invitation to see how we live, and to participate with us.
On this Labor Day weekend, let's think of inviting someone over to share in our lunch or watching the game. What we find is, that in seeking to be a blessing to others, we ourselves will be blessed. Abraham could not outgive God. So next year he would have a son. In entertaining other- and possibly angels- we will be blessed.
Prayer: Lord, inspire me to be a person of hospitality- opening up my life to others.
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