Angels and friends

LEARNING OF THE DAY

"Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly." - Anonymous

I STILL can't figure it out as to why Abraham would without any doubt welcome and serve the three complete strangers standing in front of his tent one sweltering day (Genesis 18). It is said that weary travellers in that time were not as fortunate to find an inn as we would be these days. Hence what Abraham did, out of his lovingkindness, was simply entertain these men in the heat of the day. 

If this is resolved, there is still one thing unaccounted for when he also acts condescendingly by bowing low to the ground when meeting them and greets them "my lord". Biblical records quickly clarify that one of them is actually the LORD Himself (v.13).

Much further down the centuries following this piece of scene, we know that the writer of Hebrews advised us: "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it." (13:2)

Upon learning that these two parts of the Bible make reference to one another, it was like a clanging bell going off very loudly in my ear. I was astonished. This is just breathtaking that a verse talking about angels is not just talking but showing us the real example when it actually happened and how the situation might look like when it happened!

Then I paused to keep my head down in reflection on how far I have remembered to extend hospitality to strangers and friends in need. I was thinking through this new find that ought to be the base of my doing so in the past yet more importantly the days to come.

Automatically my mind wandered to the often-quoted sayings that angels are said to be those good friends or perhaps anyone around us who come our way... supporting us, protecting us, and caring for us. (EJ)

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him. And rescues them. -David in Psalm 34:8