Manners from the Old Testament- How they treated their guests

There are a lot of lessons to be learnt from the Bible. As I studied His Word, God brought to my attention certain indelible facts about the great men of faith who lived before us.

Abraham saw the LORD and angels under the trees of Mamre. Lot saw angels when he was sitting at the gateway of his city. Gideon saw men about whom he later realised that they were angels.

Today, God's children are the royal priesthood of God, his chosen and holy people (1 Peter 2:9). What is our response when one of these holy people visit us? Given below are certain summarised facts about the people of faith who lived before us and how they treated the angels who visited them.

1) The host gave the best of what he had.
When the LORD and the angels visited Abraham he gave them the best of what was available with him, as mentioned in Genesis 18:7 (NET) 'Then Abraham ran to the herd and chose a fine, tender calf, and gave it to a servant, who quickly prepared it.'
In Judges 6:19 we see that Gideon also gave his best.
Judges 6:18, 19a (NET) '"Do not leave this place until I come back with a gift and present it to you.” The Lord said, “I will stay here until you come back.”'
Gideon went and prepared a young goat, along with unleavened bread made from an ephah of flour.
While Abraham chose a fine tender calf, Gideon chose a young goat. Both chose the best out of their available resources.

We need to give our best.

2) The host requested.
They did not come with the intention to eat. They were just under the trees of Mamre. But he invited them to come and wash their feet and rest. He requested them if he could get them something to eat so that they are refreshed.
Similarly, when the two angels reached Sodom, Lot said in Genesis 19:2 (NET) “Here, my lords, please turn aside to your servant’s house. Stay the night and wash your feet. Then you can be on your way early in the morning.” “No,” they replied, “we’ll spend the night in the town square.”

Requesting won't belittle us.

3) The host was eager to serve.
Genesis 18:6 (NET) So Abraham hurried into the tent and said to Sarah, “Quick! Take three measures of fine flour, knead it, and make bread.”
Abraham was very eager to serve these guests, that is why he hurried. We find a similar account in Genesis 18:7 where Abraham ran to the herd to choose a calf.

We need to be eager to serve.

4) The rich host himself served them.
Genesis 18:8a (NET) 'Abraham then took some curds and milk, along with the calf that had been prepared, and placed the food before them.'
Abraham himself served his esteemed guests despite the fact that he had servants. This is why Jesus said:

Luke 22:26 'But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.'

If we serve them ourselves it shows greater respect and acceptance.

5) The well-off host chose to stand near them.
Genesis 18:8b 'They ate while he was standing near them under a tree.'
All the while they ate, Abraham was standing near them. He probably did that out of respect and also to provide for whatever they would need.

Jesus took the form of a servant. We need to look beyond that in serving Him.

6) The wealthy host walked with them to see them on their way.
Genesis 18:16 (NET) When the men got up to leave, they looked out over Sodom. (Now Abraham was walking with them to see them on their way.)
Abraham walked along with them to see them on their way. Walking with them as a send-off was a sign of utmost respect. It showed that Abraham loved their presence so much that he could not let them go. He wanted to grab more of the presence of God with him and as far as his strength would allow him he made sure that he did that.

7) The host insisted strongly.
The angels said 'no'. 'But he insisted so strongly that they did go with him and entered his house. He prepared a meal for them, baking bread without yeast, and they ate.' Genesis 19:3
Lot had insisted so strongly that the angels had to oblige and come to his house to eat and rest.

When angels visit us in the form of God's servants, have we insisted as strongly as Lot and Abraham did so that we should be partakers of greater blessings?

8) The well-being and protection of guests were of the utmost importance to the host.
Lot was too concerned about the protection and well-being of his guests.
Genesis 19:8b (NET) '"Only don’t do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof."'

We need to protect and care for the well-being of our guests, not only because our culture or instinct tells us to, but also because the great men of God who were before us diligently did it themselves.

Matthew 20:27-28 (NET) "and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave –
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Luke 12:37 (NET) 'Blessed are those slaves whom their master finds alert when he returns! I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, have them take their place at the table, and will come and wait on them!'