HOSPITALITY 2  

     “The days of the years of my pilgrimage are one-hundred

     And thirty years,… and they have not attained to the days of

     The years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.”   Genesis 47:9. New King James Version,NKJV.

     The above are the words of Jacob whose name was change to Israel in the Holy Bible. He was a son of Isaac. Jacob was the grandson of Abraham. The right mental attitude of the man Jacob, to see himself as a person who was on pilgrimage on earth was in his blood it is hereditary.

     That is the reason I will like to bring in the story of Abraham to analyze the things involved in genuine hospitality and its rewards. This is also for the purpose of clarity and understanding.

     THINGS INVOLVED.

     In Genesis chapter 18, “in the heat of the day, Abraham lifted his eyes and looked and behold; three men were standing by him.”   Verse two (a-b).

     These men stood by him a few meters away. How did he handle their affairs to be hospitable?

1. He was available. He used himself. He was the originator of this hospitality act. No one was with him under the tree when he saw the three men. The Holy Bible records,

“…he ran from the tent door to meet them.”  

The running was not done by any of his servants but by himself.

To be hospitable, be directly and personally involved.

1. He was humble. In his hospitality service, he was humble. As rich or wealthy as Abraham was (Gen 13:1-4), he was humble to host three strangers. The Holy Bible records, “…and bowed himself to the ground.” Verse 2d.

He bowed to people he never knew. What a sign of humility!

He welcomed them reverently, with all honor!

1. His wife was available for the hospitality service. He instructed Sarah, his wife, thus,

“Quickly, make ready three measures of fine meal, knead it

 And make cakes.”   Gen 18:6.

     He was not on his own. He involved his heartthrob. This shows his seriousness in service.

1. His servants were also involved.. Abraham brought in the service of his servants. The Holy Scriptures reveal,

“And Abraham ran to the herd, took a tender and good calf,

Gave it to a young man, and he hasten to prepare it”   verse seven”

Note that in your own case, you may not have servants. Instead, you can involve your friends’ services or those of your children, if any.

1. Pleading with the strangers. You can do like Abraham. The pleading words he employed were “my Lord, if I have now found favor in your sight,

Do not pass on by your servant.”     Verse three.

1. “Quickly” and “haste” are the watchword. Note that in hospitality, there is no room for delay. Note that these words were readily mentioned in verse six, seven. The key words are “quickly” “hurried”, “ran”, “hastened”. No foot-dragging. No time to waste.

1. Standing by. When everything was ready and the strangers were eating, Abraham did not abandon them. He stood nearby, in case they may have any other needs. He was available to serve them further. The Holy Bible records,

“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.”   Verse eight.

  THE GOAL

     The main purpose of hospitality must not be less than these three:

1. Rest for the soul of the strangers. Rest from their long journey, hunger, and so on.

1. Peace of mind. It must be to offer strangers peace of mind. Their heart must not be troubled. They must be well secured.

1. Comfort round about. They must be very comfortable in every sense of the word

BENEFIT

     For all that Abraham did to express hospitable service to strangers, he got a better hope of fulfillment of a long-term promise. After meal, one said,

     “I will certainly return to you according to the time of life,

     And behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son”   Gen 18:10.   NKJV.

     This promise was fulfilled.

     To involve yourself in hospitality is to bring nearer to fulfillment the long-term promise from your Father in heaven

    Stay blessed and prepared for the coming of the Lord.

The Author is the set man of CTFM(WORLD OUTREACH)and Presiding Pastor of Christ Restland Gospel Church.He is a Poet and author of many books. Visit his blogsites www.4thlink.wordpress.com and www.peacelink.wordpress.com for more quality contents.