Judges 19:10-21 – The blessing of being hospitable

Turning down his father-in-law’s offer to delay setting out, the Levite set out for home with his concubine and a servant. After some distance, the day was almost over and the night was falling, the three were near Jebus. This was a Jebusite city that was later captured by David years later and renamed Jerusalem. The servant then suggested that they should lodge there for the night. But the Levite refused to do so as it was a city belonging to foreigners. He would rather that they pressed on to either Ramah or Gibeah. Mistakenly, he must have thought that they would be safer staying in a place inhabited by fellow Israelites. So, the trio headed for their intended destination.

When they arrived at Gibeah, it was nightfall and dark for the sun had set. They entered the city and sat in the public square. This was a time where the hotel industry was virtually unknown, so they could not find a place to check-in for the night. But in the law that God had given through Moses, fellow Israelites were expected to be hospitable. This concept of being hospitable grew out of their nomadic lifestyle and the tough desert living. The issue is not so much about good manner as it was a moral thing to do, to provide safety to travellers. It was a virtue to be honoured by the Israelites. Even travelling foreigners could count on the generosity of the Israelites. For God had prescribed this standard, telling them that they were once “…strangers in a strange land.” Yet when they came to Gibeah, no one was willing to put them up for the night.

Lo and behold, there was at least an old man who understood their plight. This man was also from the hill country of Ephraim and had been dwelling in Gibeah, occupied by the Benjaminites. When he saw the Levite, his concubine and his servant intending to spend the night in the public square, he knew how exposed to the danger they were. He offered them his home for the night. Though the Levite accepted the kind offer to stay in the old man’s house, he assured him that he had enough sustenance for his team. For he had enough straws and food for his donkeys and wine and bread for themselves. He did not want to presume on the old man’s generosity. The kind man, however, insisted that they accept his hospitality and his provision. The Levite then accepted the offer.  

There is a lesson on hospitality that we can learn from this incidence. As Christians, we cannot deny the uncomfortable feeling about welcoming a stranger. Yet the New Testament clearly instructs us to welcome strangers and to practice hospitality. To be honest, welcoming strangers and being hospitable can be uncomfortable. They don’t come naturally for many of us. But we will be surprised to realize that just like the two men on the Emmaus road, when the stranger drew near, they realized how their hearts were strangely warmed. As Jesus was to the two friends on Emmaus Road, the person whom we host may yet bring a word of comfort to us on Jesus’ behalf in a time of need.