“Please let a little water be brought, and was your feet, and rest yourself under the tree. And I will bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh your hearts… So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, ‘Quickly, make ready three measures of fine meal; knead it and make cakes: And Abraham ran to the herd, took a tender and good calf, gave it to the young man, and he hastened to prepare it. So he took butter and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree as they ate.” (Genesis 18:4-8).

The Bible contains many examples of hospitality (Genesis 18:1-8; 19:1-3; Judges 13:15; 19:20-21; 1 Kings 17:8-18; 2 Kings 4:8-10; Luke 10: 38-42; Acts 16:15; 16:33-34). We are to be a hospitable people (Luke 14:12-14; Matthew 25:31-46; Romans 12:13; 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8; Hebrews 13:2; 1 Peter 4:9). Sadly, this is becoming a rarely practiced courtesy in our culture.

In the text above, Abraham and Sarah are the host for three strangers who pass their way. It is in the heat of the day, Abraham offers them hospitality saying, “that you may refresh your hearts.” (Genesis 18:5).

The strangers appear as men (Genesis 18:2, 16, 22). However, they are not ordinary men. Two are angels (Genesis 18:16 cf. 19:1, 12, 15). One of the visitors is the LORD (Genesis 18:1-2, 22).

There are a few occasions in scripture of entertaining heavenly guests. Abraham and Sarah entertained the LORD and two angels (Genesis 18). Lot entertained two angels (Genesis 19). Manoah and his wife offered to prepare a young goat for the Angel of the LORD (Judges 13). The writer of Hebrews says, “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels” (Hebrews 13:2).

Are we hospitable? Our homes can be viewed as places to seclude ourselves from the world. Our homes can be viewed as tools to show hospitality, to edify brethren, and to evangelize our neighbors. How are we using our homes?

BONUS

Did you know that the pineapple is the symbol of the hospitality industry? When European explorers discovered the pineapple in the Caribbean, Central America, and South America, they brought some back. The long voyage meant it was no longer fresh. However, it became a symbol of wealth to have it on display. In the 1500’s one pineapple could cost as much as $8,000 in today’s money (How the Pineapple Became the Ultimate Symbol of Southern Hospitality, by Beth McKibben, July 22, 2021, southernkitchen.com). Some even rented the pineapple to display on special occasions (The Hidden History of the Housewarming Pineapple by Cale Weissman, December 31, 2015, updated November 14, 2022, atlasobscura.com). “The story of how the pineapple became a symbol of hospitality is deeply rooted in the history of New England. In the olden days, sea captains of New England, upon returning from voyages in the Caribbean, would stake a pineapple on the fence post. This was a sign to the townspeople that the captain had returned home safely from sea. The pineapple served as an invitation to visit, share meals and listen to tales of the captain’s adventures at sea. This tradition turned the pineapple into an enduring symbol of open hospitality” (Mews and the Pineapple: A Symbol of Remarkable Hospitality by Joseph Gazarek, June 27, 2024, mews.com).

We don’t have to display the pineapple. However, we should be welcoming and hospitable.