How can we apply the hospitality shown in Exodus 2:16 to our lives? Seeing Hospitality in the Midianite Well “Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came to draw water and fill the troughs to water their father’s flock.” (Exodus 2:16) Even in a single verse, we glimpse a household willing to share its well, its labor, and eventually its table (v. 20). Their open-handed spirit offers a timeless model. Why This Matters for Believers Today - Hospitality is a command, not a hobby. “Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.” (Romans 12:13) - Welcoming strangers mirrors God’s welcome of us in Christ (Ephesians 2:12-19). - A hospitable life becomes a living testimony: people taste grace before they ever hear a sermon. Paths to Practice - Open your routine spaces. - Keep a spare seat at the dinner table for the unexpected guest. - Invite coworkers or neighbors for coffee after school pick-up or sports practice. - Share resources, not just rooms. - Offer tools, vehicles, or expertise when someone’s in a pinch. - Organize a pantry drive; bring others into the blessing of giving. - Make the first move. - Like Moses stepping in to help water the flock (v. 17), initiate kindness rather than waiting to be asked. - Text new church attendees the same day you meet them—small gestures breed lasting connections. - Welcome across differences. - Moses was an outsider; Reuel’s family still opened their home. - Purposefully invite those of another age group, culture, or social circle. - Honor guests with time. - Unhurried conversation communicates value more than an immaculate house ever could. - Schedule margin so visits aren’t squeezed between errands. Guarding the Heart Behind the Welcome - Check motives: is this to impress or to bless? (Matthew 6:1-4) - Cultivate gratitude; remembering God’s provision fuels generosity (2 Corinthians 9:8-11). - Embrace inconvenience. True hospitality often interrupts personal plans—just as Jesus “had compassion” when crowds derailed His rest (Mark 6:31-34). Supporting Scriptures - Hebrews 13:2: “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.” - 1 Peter 4:9: “Show hospitality to one another without complaining.” - Luke 14:13-14: “But when you host a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind, and you will be blessed.” Weekly Challenge - Identify one “well” in your life—a place, resource, or routine you can open to others. - Pray for God to highlight one person outside your usual circle to invite in. - Follow through this week; afterwards, thank the Lord for the privilege of reflecting His welcome. |
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