Again this Sunday, I'm sharing from the Made for Community reading plan from Love God Greatly that I worked on back in 2015. With this study, as I have often done, I used the SOAP method of Bible study. Just a quick reminder that the S is for Scripture, O is for Observation, A is for Application and P is for Prayer. The eighth, and last, section is Made for Community Challenge Week. So here we go with the Scripture for the third day of that section.
S= "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." (Hebrews 13:2)
O= The letter to the Hebrews was written in part to exhort the Jewish believers to "hold fast" and to "go on to maturity". Hebrews 13:1 begins: "Let brotherly love continue", which is surely part of moving toward spiritual maturity.
Verse 2 instructs them (and us) not to forget to entertain strangers. Adding a new dimension to our basic understanding of this verse, Believer's Bible Commentary explains that "This might refer primarily to believers who were fleeing from persecution and were hard-pressed to find food and lodging; to entertain them was to expose the host and hostess to danger." Of course, the verse can also be understood as a general encouragement to show hospitality to any believers who happen to need it.
A cross-reference is one of the verses we looked at last week. Romans 12:13 tells us that believers are to be "given to hospitality."
The reason given here in verse 2 for extending hospitality is that in doing so, some have unknowingly entertained angels. The allusion here is to Abraham, who did just that, as recorded in Genesis chapter 18.
Believer's Bible Commentary adds, "Even if we never have real angels in our homes, we may have men and women whose very presence is a benediction and whose godly influence on our family may have results that reach on into eternity."
A= Over the years, we have had many opportunities to entertain strangers -- visiting missionaries, Christian musicians, pulpit supply preachers, evangelists, and more. None of them have been angels (to my knowledge) but many of them were a true blessing and encouragement to us and some have become lifelong friends. It's always a blessing to extend hospitality!
P= "Lord, how thankful I am for the blessing of Christian hospitality! I thank You for how well our pastor taught us in this area and how, over the years, You faithfully provided for us to do a little extra for our guests. I pray that You will continue to bless our efforts and keep us hospitable. In Jesus' name, Amen."
There is this week's study! Just a couple Sundays left for this one. I'm praying about what to share next for Sunday Scripture posts!
This is a favorite passage of Scripture of mine. The photograph you shared, with the home and winter scene are beautiful. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteConfident that The Lord will provide. ☺️ I really like this verse. How cool would it be to show hospitality to an angel? Good thing we don't know. I just heard the testimony of a young mother whose son was terribly injured. A man in the crowd that gathered around made an eye contact connection with her and she felt immediately comforted. She said that he may have been an angel. I know from all the people falling on ice around here that we are keeping our guardian angels busy.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the lesson. Have a wonderful Sunday and a good week ahead.
I have always loved this verse and have taken it to heart over our years in the ministry. We also had many opportunities to entertain visiting missionaries, ministers, and special people that God sent our way to minister to us even though we were thinking we were ministering to them. And I do believe we have come in contact with some "angels" over the years in various places and unusual circumstances...just when we needed them most. God knows what we need and when we need it...and we need to be open to whomever He sends our way. Thank you for sharing this verse today. It is a good reminder for us to be open to whomever the Lord sends our way.
ReplyDeleteI love the SOAP way of studying through scripture Sarah! It really helps to stop and put the verse into perspective that can minister deeply to our own hearts! Such a beautiful picture you shared of the light beaming out into the beautiful winter landscape! And I love each of your thoughts and prayers within the SOAP concept. Hospitality is something that has largely vanished within the church and world today. So many times we have entertained our friends and family, sharing love and food with them. Like you, I don't know that any of them were angels, yet, there have been so many times through the years that I believe angels ministered to us in difficult situations. Thank you for sharing, may you and your husband have a wonderful Valentine's Day!
ReplyDelete