Posted in pastoral care, reflections

On hospitality

“The outcry against this place is so great before the LORD that he has sent us to destroy it” (Genesis 19:13b, New English Translation).

Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because of their arrogance and hard heart toward the poor and needy, a detestable offense before the Lord, especially since they themselves had plenty.

See Ezekiel 16:49-50, a good example of Scripture interpreting Scripture.

In Genesis 19, radical inhospitality manifests when all the men of the city show up at Lot’s door and attempt to gang rape the two men (angels) staying with Lot. The shocking contrast is all the greater because Lot had prepared a feast for his guests and gave them lodging, a display of lavish hospitality.

What lessons are there for the inhospitable time in which we live?

Let’s live out Hebrews 13:1-2 (NET), a likely allusion to Lot’s generosity:

“Brotherly love must continue. Do not neglect hospitality, because through it some have entertained angels without knowing it.”

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Image credit: くーさん, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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Greg is interested in many topics, including theology, philosophy, and science.

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