Biblical Hospitality (Part 2)

EXAMPLES (Cont.)

Jael (Judg. 4:17-22; 5:24-27)

·         Being hospitable to Sisera, her enemy, gave her a great opportunity

·         Heber was friendly to Jabin and Sisera, but not Jael (4:17).

·         She gave her enemy food and drink and wounded his head, literally (vs. spiritually in Rom. 12:20).

·         I think that she’s “blessed above women” (5:24), despite her husband’s concord with Jabin, since that was friendship with the LORD’s enemies; plus, she did what Barak failed to do and could have done if he had trusted God. Barak is mentioned in Hebrews 11’s “hall of faith” (11:32) for daring to fight Jabin and Sisera, but his faith wasn’t perfect, so God uses Jael, through an act of hospitality, to finish the job.

Two Men in the Days of the Judges (Judg. 19)

·         A few more points in this sordid chapter of Hebrew history.

·         In the first part of the chapter, the father of the Levite’s concubine is quite hospitable and is in no hurry for his son-in-law to leave (19:3-9).

·         There are limits to hospitality (Prov. 25:17), but a welcoming spirit should prevail.

·         The elderly farmer’s hospitality shows us a few things:

o   In evil times, you can and should be hospitable (cf. 1 Pt. 4:9). Old man could have excused himself due to the peril in Gibeah, but he did not.

o   He also didn’t excuse himself due to his age. In old age, you should still be hospitable, to the extent possible. Barzillai was old when he aided David, as we’ll see shortly.

Boaz (Ruth 2)

·         This lordly gentleman was quite hospitable to Ruth, a stranger in every sense of the word. For his kindness, he’s blessed with a virtuous wife and an heir, Obed (even greater wealth!). Sure pays to be hospitable, doesn’t it?

Barzillai and Friends (2 Sam. 17:27-29)

·         Comes to David’s aid when the king is running from Absalom.

·         David never forgets this, and on his deathbed commands Solomon to provide for Barzillai’s sons (1 Kings 2:7), even though Barzillai declines honour at David’s table after Absalom’s death (19:31-39).

·         An act of hospitality can make a huge difference in someone’s life. Yes, it was a sacrifice for Barzillai and his friends, but oh much he reaped for it, even after he was dead [hint of eternal rewards of giving].

Widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17)

·         A Zidonian, she’s hospitable to Elijah and willing to pay a great cost (part of her last meal!).

·         For this sacrifice, she receives lasting rewards—food, the reviving of her child (v. 23) [resurrection = coming forth out of the grave; cf. John 5:28-29], and spiritual revelation (v. 24); cf. 2 Cor. 9:9-10

·         Recall 1 Tim. 5:9-10. Widows aren’t worthy of church support if they’ve not shown themselves hospitable; why should they be paid if they haven’t sacrificed for others? Can you reap where you haven’t sown?

Great Woman of Shunem (2 Kings 4:8-10)

This woman, whose name is ironically never given, shows hospitality to the unpopular man of God, and is richly rewarded. She not only provides him food, but also lodging and furniture for his work. When Elisha asks if he may reward her politically, she humbly declines. Elisha insists on rewarding her kindness, and she’s blessed with a child. Even when the child dies, her blessings continue, since Elisha raises the child from the dead.

Sure pays to be hospitable, amen? She honours the man of God, and God honours her. One can’t help but notice that part of her greatness was her hospitality, just like Barzillai (2 Sam. 19:32).

Conniving ruler (Prov. 23:1-7)

·         Next two examples are of bad or false hospitality.

·         Something good can be done poorly or used wrong way.

·         As in all things, God looks at the heart, not merely the deed, as we see here, esp. in v. 7

·         A very familiar verse about the inner life, but note the context—a shew of hospitality

·         Paul and Peter both warn us about giving and showing hospitality for the wrong motive (2 Cor. 9:7; 1 Pt. 4:9); it should be willingly, not grudgingly or of necessity

·         The more Spirit-controlled you are, in my opinion, the more inclined toward sincere hospitality you’ll be, and I think that the scriptures support me.

Simon, Jesus’ host (Luke 7:36-50)

·         One more example of bad hospitality before we switch back to some final good ones.

·         This one is pointed out by the Lord in detail in Luke 7:36-50, where he dines at the house of Simon the Pharisee.

·         For all his religious trappings and outward righteousness, Simon fails in something as fundamental as hospitality: does not wash the Lord’s feet, greet him with a kiss, anoint his head with oil…all aspects of hospitality.

·         Shows quite vividly that hospitality comes from the heart; you can try to work it up (he did invite Jesus to dinner), but it won’t have the same completeness and effect as genuine hospitality will.

Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37)

·         The good Samaritan is another example of taking hospitality to the streets.

·         He not only cares for the victim’s wounds, but he also takes care of his needs in the inn.

·         It’s not said, but he may have taken the victim home, if he was still healing when he returned. Wouldn’t surprise me a bit if he did, since his intent was to provide complete service, and ours should be too. Remember, “let all thy wants lie upon me” (Judg. 19:20); that, friends, is true hospitality, and the good Samaritan is a fine example of it.

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Gaius, kingdom church leader (3 John 5-7)

·         Contrasted with Diotrephes who cared only about himself; cast people out when Gaius took them in!