In our previous meditation, we noted that the bent of the Jews towards hospitality is rooted in their ancestry as well as their experience. Our focus today is that the practice of hospitality has never been devoid of reward. Let us begin with Abraham. Shortly after he entertained the three wayfaring men, he gained access into divine plans concerning Sodom. “And the LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing, since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?” (Genesis 18:17-18 NKJV). The immediate reward of his hospitality was divine disclosure. Even before this, God found another opportunity to reiterate His promise to Abraham of the fact that Sarah was going to give birth to a son for him.
We never can predict how it is coming back to us. We do not have details of the worth and power of the people we entertain. They may be people that will one day turn our lives around.
Second Kings Chapter 4 records a woman’s display of hospitality towards the prophet Elisha. She began by giving food to the prophet each time he passed by. She later prevailed on her husband to make a guest chamber for him. Elisha was so impressed that she wanted to give her a referral to the king or captain of the guard. Being a woman of means, she needed neither of the contacts. Her reward came where there had been a vacuum in her life. Her hospitality became her key to motherhood. For the men of Emmaus, showing hospitality gave them an encounter with the risen Lord. We never can predict how it is coming back to us. We do not have details of the worth and power of the people we entertain. They may be people that will one day turn our lives around.