How does this verse connect to Hebrews 13:2 about entertaining angels unknowingly? Genesis 18:2 in Focus “Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.” What Abraham Actually Did • Immediately noticed strangers and moved toward them • Showed honor—bowed low, a Middle-Eastern sign of respect • Extended generous, practical care (vv. 3-8): water, rest, bread, a choice calf, curds, and milk • Stayed close while they ate, positioning himself as a servant Hidden Identities Revealed • One of the “men” speaks with the authority of the LORD (v. 13) • The other two continue on to Sodom as angels (19:1) • Abraham learns he has just welcomed heavenly visitors in bodily form Direct Link to Hebrews 13:2 “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some have entertained angels without knowing it.” Hebrews looks back to scenes like Genesis 18 and 19 as literal, historical examples: • “Some” = Abraham and Lot—ordinary people who practiced extraordinary hospitality • “Without knowing it” mirrors Abraham’s ignorance until after the meal • The writer uses the episode to motivate believers: treat every stranger as an honored guest, because God still works this way Supporting Passages That Echo the Pattern • Genesis 19:1-3 – Lot urges two unknown visitors to stay; they turn out to be angels • Judges 6:11-24 – Gideon prepares food for a “man,” who proves to be “the angel of the LORD” • Judges 13:2-21 – Manoah welcomes a traveler; only later realizes, “We have seen God!” • Luke 24:28-31 – Two disciples invite a stranger to dinner; their eyes open, and the Risen Christ vanishes • Matthew 25:35-40 – Jesus identifies Himself with “the stranger” we receive • Romans 12:13; 1 Peter 4:9 – New-covenant commands echo Abraham’s earlier example Timeless Takeaways • Hospitality opens a door to divine encounter; God delights to meet people amid simple acts of kindness. • Obedience often precedes understanding; Abraham served first and discovered the visitors’ identity later. • The spiritual realm intersects everyday life; angels can appear in ordinary, human-looking ways. • Since we cannot know whom we receive, we treat every guest as though Christ Himself were coming to our table. |