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Examples of hospitality in the OT

Genesis 18:2–5 ESV

He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.”

See also Ge 19:1–3 Lot entertains visitors from God; Ge 24:22–25 Abraham’s servant is welcomed in Rebekah’s home; Ex 2:20 Moses is welcomed by a priest of Midian; Jdg 13:15 Manoah receives the angel of the Lord.

Shelter is given to a Levite:

Jdg 19:1–4; Jdg 19:20–21

2 Sa 17:27–29 hospitality shown to David and his people; 1 Ki 17:7–16 The widow of Zarephath cares for Elijah despite her poverty; 2 Ki 4:8–10 a Shunammite provides for Elisha; Ne 5:17 Nehemiah shows hospitality to fellow Jews.

Hospitality shown to Jesus Christ

Mt 9:10 Jesus Christ received hospitality from people of all social backgrounds.

See also Mt 8:14–15 at Peter’s house

Jesus Christ anointed at Bethany:

Mt 26:6–7; Jn 12:1–3

Lk 7:36 at the house of Simon the Pharisee; Lk 10:38 at the home of Mary and Martha; Lk 14:1 at the house of a prominent Pharisee; Lk 19:5–7 at Zacchaeus’ house; Lk 24:29 with disciples in Emmaus; Jn 2:2 at the wedding at Cana

Hospitality assisted the mission of the apostles

Hospitality shown to the disciples

Mt 10:11–12 Jesus Christ sends out the Twelve.

See also Lk 10:5–7

Hospitality shown to Peter

Ac 10:32 at the home of Simon the tanner; Ac 10:48 with Cornelius and his family

Hospitality shown to Paul and his companions

Ac 16:15 at the home of Lydia; Ac 16:34 at the house of the Philippian jailer; Ac 18:2–3 with Aquila and Priscilla in Corinth; Ac 21:8 at the house of Philip; Ac 21:16 at the home of Mnason in Jerusalem; Ac 28:2 on Malta; Ac 28:7 at the home of Publius; Ro 16:23 with Gaius; Phm 22 as a guest of Philemon

Christians opened their homes for gatherings of believers

1 Corinthians 16:19 ESV

The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord.

See also Ac 2:46; Ro 16:3–5; Col 4:15; Phm 2

Examples of inhospitable behaviour

1 Samuel 25:10–11 ESV

And Nabal answered David’s servants, “Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants these days who are breaking away from their masters. Shall I take my bread and my water and my meat that I have killed for my shearers and give it to men who come from I do not know where?”

See also Nu 20:18 Edom; Nu 21:21–23 Sihon; Dt 23:3–4 Ammonites and Moabites; Jdg 19:15 Gibeah; Lk 9:52–53 a Samaritan village