Hospitality, Now and Then by Rev. Raymond Parnell

We enjoy it so much - showing hospitality. It could be relatives or friends, notwithstanding, we want them to "make themselves at home." Why are we this way, and when did it all begin? The first house call was made by Almighty God who visited his children, Adam and Eve, in their lovely garden home, Eden. He even chose an appropriate time - the "cool of the day."

Abraham entertaining angels

Abraham was also a great entertainer and invited two strangers into his sumptuous tents. He ordered a delectable meal for them consisting of veal, bread, butter, and milk. Only after his grand gesture did he realize that his guests were God and two angels!

An interesting article from Biblical Archaeology Review (July/August 2003) says: "Hundreds of synagogues stood in ancient Jerusalem before their destruction by Titus' Roman forces in 70 A.D.; in one of them hung the following Greek inscription, carved prominently into the 25-by-17 inch limestone slab. 'Theodotus son of Vettenus, priest and synagogue leader, son of a synagogue leader, grandson of a synagogue leader, rebuilt this synagogue for the reading of the Law and the teaching of the commandments, and the hostelry, rooms and baths, for the lodging of those who have need from abroad. It was established by his forefathers, the elders and Simonides.'

The Theodotus Inscription was discovered at the bottom of a cistern

The fact that the language of the inscription is Greek, not Hebrew, and its allusion to 'those who have need from abroad,' suggest that this synagogue was used by Jews from the Diaspora, and that it housed large numbers of visiting pilgrims. Some scholars have identified it with the Synagogue of the Freedmen (former slaves in the Roman Empire), mentioned in Acts 6:9."

I was recently in Chili, South America, and received gracious hospitality, not only in the home of the pastor, but while ministering. During the warm night's service, refreshing water was supplied for me. Well supplied and clean rest rooms are components of good care. Being on time for appointments, timely answers to correspondence, and thank-you notes after having received amenities are appropriate and in keeping with the Biblical admonitions regarding hospitality. Some of the most important words one can utter are "Thank you" and "I'm sorry."

Alexander Cruden spoke of hospitality in the concordance he wrote: "This virtue has always been very much esteemed by civilized people. The Jewish laws with regard to strangers are framed in accordance with the spirit of hospitality, Leviticus 19:33-34, etc.; and before the giving of the law there were many instances of the entertaining of strangers. It was more necessary in those times of difficult travel and few inns, but the spirit of modern hospitality is the same. In Apostolic times the virtue was strongly enjoined on the followers of Christ, although the higher civilizations and larger population made it less of a necessity than in patriarchal times."

Let us be "given to hospitality," "a lover of hospitality," and "use hospitality one to another." (Romans 12:13, Titus 1:8, I Peter 4:9). Let the church say, Amen!