Be not forgetful to entertain strangers
By whom are meant, not unconverted men, who are strangers to God
and Christ, and the covenants of promise; nor saints, who are as
pilgrims and strangers in this world; but such as are of another
country, and are unknown; and even though wicked men, they are
not excluded; though such as are obliged to quit their own
country for righteousness sake are chiefly designed; all
strangers in distress are meant, and hospitality is to be
exercised towards them; which lies negatively in doing nothing to
distress them, and positively in providing food, raiment, lodging
for them, and in comforting, counselling, and directing them in
all matters in which they may stand in need thereof: and that
this is a duty, appears from the light of nature, and practices
of the Heathens, ( Acts 28:2 Acts 28:7 ) , from the
express law of God, ( Deuteronomy
10:19 ) and many others made in favour of strangers, binding
on the Jews; from the sundry exhortations to it in the New
Testament, ( Romans 12:13
) ( 1 Peter
4:9 ) and from the exhortation here not to forget it; and
from the great regard which Christ will show to such as mind it,
and his disregard to others at the last day: the persons who are
to exercise it are not only the ministers of the Gospel, who
should be given to hospitality; but all the saints, even the
meaner sort are not exempted, but should use it according to
their ability; though it is chiefly binding on those that are
rich. And this should not be forgot, but pursued and followed
after; it should be frequently performed; men should be given,
and used to it; it should be done without grudging, and in a
friendly and loving manner:
for thereby some have entertained angels
unawares;
as Abraham, ( Genesis
18:1-8 ) , he knew them not to be angels at first; they
appeared as men, and he treated them as such; but they were
angels, yea, one of them was Jehovah himself; and hereby he
received many favours, ( Genesis
18:10 Genesis
18:17 Genesis
18:23 Genesis
18:33 ) , and Lot, ( Genesis
19:1-3 ) who knew not that they were angels he took into his
house; but they were, and he was delivered by them from the
burning of Sodom; yea, some have unawares, this way, entertained
Christ himself, ( Luke
24:15-31 ) and indeed, entertaining of his members is
entertaining him, ( Matthew
25:38 Matthew
25:40 ) . It is an observation of a Jewish writer F18 upon
the first of these instances;
``from hence we learn (says he) how great is the strength (or virtue) of the reception of travellers (or hospitality), as the Rabbins of blessed memory say, greater is (Myxrwa tonkh) , "hospitality", than the reception of the face of the Shechinah.''And this is said to be one of the six things which a man enjoys the fruit of in this world, and for which there remains a reward in the world to come F19.