Judges 19:16-21 Hospitable

 ”Just then an old man came in from his work in the field at evening, who also was from the mountains of Ephraim; he was staying in Gibeah, whereas the men of the place were Benjamites.“ ‭‭Judges‬ ‭19‬:‭16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“Who also was from the mountains of Ephraim: The only person to extend hospitality to the Levite and his concubine was a man from their own region. None of the native people of Gibeah cared for the strangers in their midst.” (Guzik)

”And when he raised his eyes, he saw the traveler in the open square of the city; and the old man said, “Where are you going, and where do you come from?”“

‭‭Judges‬ ‭19‬:‭17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

”So he said to him, “We are passing from Bethlehem in Judah toward the remote mountains of Ephraim; I am from there. I went to Bethlehem in Judah; now I am going to the house of the Lord. But there is no one who will take me into his house,“ Judges‬ ‭19‬:‭18‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“We remember that the house of the LORD was not at Jerusalem, but at Shiloh (Judges 18:31).” (Guzik)

”although we have both straw and fodder for our donkeys, and bread and wine for myself, for your female servant, and for the young man who is with your servant; there is no lack of anything.”“ ‭‭Judges‬ ‭19‬:‭19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

”And the old man said, “Peace be with you! However, let all your needs be my responsibility; only do not spend the night in the open square.”“ ‭‭Judges‬ ‭19‬:‭20‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

”So he brought him into his house, and gave fodder to the donkeys. And they washed their feet, and ate and drank.“ ‭‭Judges‬ ‭19‬:‭21‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

We recently traveled downstate for a get together with my brother and sister and in-laws. Traveling isn’t what it used to be, it’s faster in a fast paced world. People aren’t as hospitable as they used to be and some are down right rude. 

Would anyone feel safe at night stopping in a major city square looking for a place to spend the night? Would we even offer a stranger logging in our home?

The Bible tells us we should have discernment.

Matthew 10:16 (ESV)

16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

“Christians are to be loving, merciful, and self-sacrificing. As we see the needs of people all around us, our hearts should be full of compassion just as our Heavenly Father has compassion towards all people.”

Compassion with discernment is biblical, being hospitable, loving, merciful and self sacrificing should be our motto as Christians.

Blessings