In what ways can we practice hospitality like in Judges 19:5 today? Setting the Scene in Judges 19:5 “On the fourth day they got up early in the morning to depart, but the young woman’s father said to his son-in-law, ‘Refresh yourself with some food, and then you can go.’” (Judges 19:5) The father-in-law will not let his guests leave hungry. He places their refreshment above his own schedule, showing the kind of generous, proactive hospitality God commends throughout Scripture. Timeless Principles Drawn from the Verse • Initiative – the host speaks first; he doesn’t wait to be asked • Priority – meal and fellowship come before travel plans • Generosity – food is offered freely, not sparingly • Relational Warmth – conversation and connection are implied alongside the meal Practical Ways to Live This Out Today • Open-table meals – Invite church visitors or new neighbors for Sunday lunch. – Keep a “soup-starter” in the freezer so you can add guests on short notice. • Short-stay lodging – Offer the guest room (or couch) to missionaries, college students, or friends in crisis. – Coordinate with your church to form a roster of homes for traveling pastors (3 John 5-8). • Everyday refreshment – Drop off a casserole to a family with a new baby (Romans 12:13). – Keep bottled water and healthy snacks in the car to share with the homeless (Matthew 25:35). • Shared rides and errands – Give lifts to medical appointments or mid-week Bible study. – Help a newcomer learn the city by driving them to key spots, then sharing coffee together. • Holiday inclusion – Seat singles, widows, or international students at your Thanksgiving or Christmas table (Psalm 68:6). Hospitality Beyond the Meal • Listening space – turn off screens, brew coffee, ask heart-level questions (James 1:19). • Digital hospitality – respond promptly to messages; schedule video calls with distant believers. • Workplace hospitality – welcome new employees, share lunch, pray quietly for them. Guardrails for God-Honoring Hospitality • Practice purity and safety – host in pairs or families when possible (1 Thessalonians 4:3-7). • Set clear time frames if needed; communicate expectations kindly. • Steward resources wisely; hospitality is generous, not reckless (Proverbs 27:12). Blessings Promised to the Hospitable • “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.” (Hebrews 13:2) • “Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.” (Romans 12:13) • “I was a stranger and you invited Me in.” (Matthew 25:35) The more we mirror the father-in-law’s open-handed spirit in Judges 19:5, the more our homes—and our lives—become bright signposts of Christ’s welcome to a hungry world. |
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