To: en & others
My dearest beloved children,
Let us read Gen 18: 1-8
Vs 1 sets the scene for us for this unexpected angelic visit. Abraham is at the entrance of his tent, in the middle of a hot middle east day, when God appears in the form of 3 angels. Whether they suddenly appeared or whether they walked up slowly we don't know. We are told that Abraham looked up, and saw the three men standing nearby. Abraham is a hospitable man, he does not know these three strangers, and yet he leaps up, rushes to meet them, greets them with a low bow and addresses them as a minor to a big gun. Grovel grovel, in middle east hyperbolic modesty, but fully sincere: Gen 18:3-5, he offers to take care of them, to clean them, rest them and feed them, then send them on their way, expecting nothing in return, just the chance to be hospitable. The offer is accepted, and in Gen 18:6-8 we read how Mr & Mrs Abraham rush to serve their guest with a great feast.
Hebrews 13:2 exhorts us, "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing so some people have entertained angels without even knowing it." Christian charity is clearly a hallmark of the children of God. Again in Hebrews 13:16 "And do not forget to do good and share with others, for with such sacrifice God is pleased." In 1 Tim 6:18 the word of God says "Command then (those who are rich in this present world) to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share."
Entertain strangers, for by doing so you may entertain angels without even knowing it. Jesus put the stakes one notch higher. "What ever you do for these, the least of my brothers, you did for me (Matt 26:40."
Can we learn something from these passages. Do not Father Abraham and the Lord Jesus teach us to think of others, to be kind and generous without any thought of immediate return? A bit of difference from the usual Singapore materialistic mentality eh?
Jesus also teaches us to lay up our treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy and thieves do not break in and steal (Matt 6:20). Jesus says Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over will be poured into your lap (Luke 6:38).
God's bank is a mighty bank with incredible interest rates calculated annually for every year from now to eternity: Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing you will not have room enough for it (Malachi 3:10) This abundance of blessings is seen in Psalm 23:5 where we say "my cup runneth over".
Let us close today in prayer.
Father God, thank you for your word for us today.
Thank you Father for teaching us how you want us to behave.
You teach us Father to be generous, not only to our friends but also to strangers. We will give generously of our money, food, time, space and our selves, Father, knowing that this is indeed your will for us. Thank you Father for the privilege of entertaining angels, and thank you for the honour of serving you.
We thank you in the name of Jesus.
Amen.
love dad
From: Su Min
Subject: Entertain Angels
For any comments or enquiries please write to Dr. Lim Su Min
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