Welcome Home Part 2
I just love the example of Abraham, the Father of our Faith, as he embraced the adventure to bless!
#196 Welcome Home! Part 2 Genesis 18:1-10 paraphrased
Abraham was sitting the tent door in the heat of the day. He lifted his eyes, watching. He was surprised to see three men.
“Abraham was watching for passers-by to offer them hospitality, an occupation in which he delighted.” Soncino
In his delight, he ran to meet them from the tent door.
He was eager.
He bowed down to the earth, and said,
My lord, if my respect has honored you, please don’t go away from one who wishes to serve you.
He showed great respect. His sincere words were intended to show these three men that to Abraham they were valuable and special.
Please allow me to get some water, so that your feet can be washed. You can rest beneath the shade of this tree.
He offered them refreshment and comfort.
I will get you a morsel of bread and you can refresh your strength, and then you can continue on your journey, for you passed by the front of my tent because you needed some refreshment.
Abraham knew the needs of travelers from his own arduous journeys and he is ready to provide their needs accordingly.
The three men agreed. “Yes,” one said, “Do as you have said.”
Abraham hurried into the tent to find Sarah. “Quickly—make three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes.” He left in his excitement, not waiting for her response. Sarah smiled at the childlike enthusiasm of her husband.
Abraham ran to the herd, found a calf that would provide a tender and tasty meal. He gave it to a young man. The lad hastened to dress it.
“The lad, Ishmael, whom Abraham was thus instructing in the duties of hospitality.” Soncino
Abraham, true to his heritage, was eager to bless anyone who came across his path. His love for being a blessing had a great impact on his own family, and they too were inspired in the art of hospitality.
“…Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation, and in him all the nations of the earth will be blessed…For I have chosen him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice; in order that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him.” Genesis 18:19 Abraham prepared for his heritage of future blessing by living a life of current blessing. He was prepared for his future heritage as he taught his children and the generations to come the way of the God who keeps His covenant.
And he took the curd and milk, and the meat that was prepared and set it before his guests under the tree. They ate while he stood attentively watching them.
His hospitality continued as he paid attention to his guests and their needs.
At that point in time, the three guests began to reveal their true mission, which was to bless Abraham and Sarah with the gift of promise and hope. “Sarah, your wife, will have a son!”
His hospitality set the stage for his own great blessing.
This is a heartwarming account of our Father Abraham’s love for people. He did not know that these three men were angels. He only knew that travelers in that dry land needed refreshment and kindness. To picture this old grey patriarch running and breathless to prepare for his guests is endearing. He was living his heritage: “In you and through your descendants all the families of the earth will be blessed.”
Let us watch for the opportunity to bless others. May we be eager to meet the opportunities. May we show great respect, and hold each person as valuable. May we offer something that will make their journey a little easier. May we run toward the opportunity to serve. May our enthusiasm be contagious and infect our children and our own families. May we be true to our heritage of future blessing by finding ways to bless and encourage now.
“For the LORD your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality, nor take a bribe. He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the stranger by giving him food and clothing.
So show your love for the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” Deuteronomy 10:17-19
Amen.
#196 Welcome Home! Part 2 Genesis 18:1-10 paraphrased
Abraham was sitting the tent door in the heat of the day. He lifted his eyes, watching. He was surprised to see three men.
“Abraham was watching for passers-by to offer them hospitality, an occupation in which he delighted.” Soncino
In his delight, he ran to meet them from the tent door.
He was eager.
He bowed down to the earth, and said,
My lord, if my respect has honored you, please don’t go away from one who wishes to serve you.
He showed great respect. His sincere words were intended to show these three men that to Abraham they were valuable and special.
Please allow me to get some water, so that your feet can be washed. You can rest beneath the shade of this tree.
He offered them refreshment and comfort.
I will get you a morsel of bread and you can refresh your strength, and then you can continue on your journey, for you passed by the front of my tent because you needed some refreshment.
Abraham knew the needs of travelers from his own arduous journeys and he is ready to provide their needs accordingly.
The three men agreed. “Yes,” one said, “Do as you have said.”
Abraham hurried into the tent to find Sarah. “Quickly—make three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes.” He left in his excitement, not waiting for her response. Sarah smiled at the childlike enthusiasm of her husband.
Abraham ran to the herd, found a calf that would provide a tender and tasty meal. He gave it to a young man. The lad hastened to dress it.
“The lad, Ishmael, whom Abraham was thus instructing in the duties of hospitality.” Soncino
Abraham, true to his heritage, was eager to bless anyone who came across his path. His love for being a blessing had a great impact on his own family, and they too were inspired in the art of hospitality.
“…Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation, and in him all the nations of the earth will be blessed…For I have chosen him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice; in order that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him.” Genesis 18:19 Abraham prepared for his heritage of future blessing by living a life of current blessing. He was prepared for his future heritage as he taught his children and the generations to come the way of the God who keeps His covenant.
And he took the curd and milk, and the meat that was prepared and set it before his guests under the tree. They ate while he stood attentively watching them.
His hospitality continued as he paid attention to his guests and their needs.
At that point in time, the three guests began to reveal their true mission, which was to bless Abraham and Sarah with the gift of promise and hope. “Sarah, your wife, will have a son!”
His hospitality set the stage for his own great blessing.
This is a heartwarming account of our Father Abraham’s love for people. He did not know that these three men were angels. He only knew that travelers in that dry land needed refreshment and kindness. To picture this old grey patriarch running and breathless to prepare for his guests is endearing. He was living his heritage: “In you and through your descendants all the families of the earth will be blessed.”
Let us watch for the opportunity to bless others. May we be eager to meet the opportunities. May we show great respect, and hold each person as valuable. May we offer something that will make their journey a little easier. May we run toward the opportunity to serve. May our enthusiasm be contagious and infect our children and our own families. May we be true to our heritage of future blessing by finding ways to bless and encourage now.
“For the LORD your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality, nor take a bribe. He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the stranger by giving him food and clothing.
So show your love for the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” Deuteronomy 10:17-19
Amen.
