Daily Devotion for Lent 2018 - Day 19, Wednesday

Scripture Reading: Genesis 24 (NRSV)

Here we begin to see the story shift to Isaac.  It is interesting that Abraham seeks a wife from his kindred for his son rather than have him marry a local woman.

There is something intrinsically hospitable

about offering someone a drink of water.

While the strict observances of worship have not yet been set in stone (so to speak), there may have been the fear that intermarrying with the Canaanites would pollute their family culture of worshipping only God.  The covenant was with God rather than all of the local deities.

Abraham's servant goes back to Abraham's kin and finds Rebekah.  His test for a bride is interesting in that he seeks someone who will show hospitality to a stranger.  He wants the one who would sate not only his thirst but the thirst of his camels as well.  Her extreme courtesy falls in line with that shown by Abraham and Sarah earlier in Genesis.  This helps to preserve the example that Isaac's parents had set.

Jesus may have been greatly influenced by these examples of hospitality.  He states in Luke 14:12-14:

“When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid.  But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

As a follower of Jesus there comes a kind of honor in outdoing kindness toward one another.  We have this example from Abraham and Rebekah.  It continues through the teachings of the prophets and is lived out in the earthly ministry of Jesus of Nazareth.

Think about when you have received generous hospitality.  What kind of impact did this make on your life?  How might we show others this kindness on a more regular basis?


Grant us grace, O Father, not to pass by suffering or joy without eyes to see.
Give us understanding and sympathy, and guard us from selfishness,
that we may enter into the joys and sufferings of others.
Use us to gladden and strengthen those who are weak and suffering;
that by our lives we may help others to believe and serve thee,
and shed forth thy light which is the light of life.
Amen.


Prayer by Dick Sheppherd, Dean of Canterbury, early 20th century

Photo by Pimthida via Flickr.com.  Used under the Creative Commons license.