Spiritual Concept Analysis Assignment (Hospitality)

Spiritual Concept Analysis (Hospitality)
Name
Course
Date
3. Old Testament (OT)
a. Word definition
The concept of hospitality is the practice of receiving guests or strangers graciously in the OT and NT, and sharing food with guests was one common way for the hosts to receive and welcome guests with open arms. There are many words for hospitality in the OT such as “friendship” gift", "acceptance" "gentleness" and “mercy” and they mostly reflect kindness, companionship and helping others. There are different terms for āhab reflects to show friendship and love while rēa’ means friendship and neighbor, in both terms there is focus on close relations, but āhab also represents “the friend of God” as reflected by Abraham’s actions (Freedman, 1992). Freedman (1992) pointed out that hospitality is closely linked to the concept of friendship to the stranger in both the OT and NT, and especially cases of host and guest encounters. In the book of judges, there is emphasis on hosting and protecting travelers including in hostile environments. The people were expected to exemplify hospitality and be kind to strangers, and travelers. The Israelites also believed that God was the host and providing hospitality was a sign of moral strength. Gift giving ( mattānāh ) is free among the people such as giving to the poor and even Abraham gave gifts to the sons of his concubines (Freedman, 1992)
b. Significance of meaning of concept
Hospitality creates links without expecting anything in return and especially when inviting people who really cannot return a gift. The Hebrew word “ mattānāh” is the English equivalent of gift and means to give such as giving gifts to the poor (Freedman, 1992). Acceptance or qabal in Hebrew reflects the meaning to accept willingly and receiving or taking (Freedman, 1992). When people accept they receive and accept, but this must be mad in good faith with no ulterior motives guests have a right to refuse invitations, but this could be considered as disrespect to the honor of the host and cause hostilities or conflicts from then on. Thus understanding when the concept of hospitality is applied in the OT provides insights on how the Israelites treated those they knew and strangers, anyhow this helped to create long lasting bonds and links.
The gratitude of the visitors who are welcomed with open arms symbolizes the presence of Yahweh and the hosts who welcome others be blessed for their hospitality as is the case of Abraham and Sarah. “Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by…” (Genesis 18:2-3). In the passage Abraham welcomed the three visitors who he did not know and later washed their feet and requested Sarah get the finest bread and he chose a tender calf for them. Abraham was a good host who made the guest comfortable who did not want anything in return, and yet the three turned out to be angles wi the message on Abraham’s blessings. For the people traveling beyond their homelands survival depended on solidarity among the people and hospitality became a highly esteemed virtue where the people showed mercy and sharing food created unity. Hospitality extended beyond receiving people to offering them protection just like friends would look out for each other. Furthermore, the Israelites believed in the mercy of Yahweh, who could not leave them alone despite facing hardships and at times turning away from his teachings.
c. Analysis of concept in context
Hospitality was extended to visiting strangers and visitors in the Old Testament that they were allowed and to eat and drink, which implies that they were well served at the time (Judges 19:4-5). Eating is an important part of guest-host relationship where friendship is extended to outsiders during family meal. This was a common practice whereby Abraham and Sarah entertained and hosted angels without knowing them, and the people treated strangers with utmost kindness. People traveled for long distances beyond their territories, but even then felt welcomed by hosts who did not know them well where sharing and giving gifts reflect solidarity, friendship and mutual protection.
There were expectations that Israelites would extend generous hospitality to each other, and this tradition influenced how they treated guests, travelers and strangers just like friends. When there is friendship one loves other people and God and friends are also companions where it is more likely that hospitality strengthens the friendship and family bonds. The codes of conduct that defined good hospitality influenced the honor of the people, their homes and communities where visitors were received and protected. Even though, Israelites had the responsibility to be hospitable to visitors, it is the male head of household or male inhabitants who were is allowed to stay as strangers as is the case with Abraham. Hospitality was a part of the Israelite culture in the OT and there was a code that people were expected to follow, and in the NT hospitality opens people’s hearts to God’s word and fosters good relationships
Hospitality was an important part of the culture of the Israelites yet resources were limited, but they still helped each other the best way they could. Taking into consideration people depended on each other for the necessities of life mostly when they traveled, hospitality and the welcoming guests were essential to build human relationship. The gesture of hospitality and the Israelites understood and valued this gesture and hospitality as a biblical value that is highlighted in the OT and NT. Hospitality requires that people are welcoming to the guests and offer whatever they want from the richness of their hearts.
Hosting and serving visitors well is an expression of love to all who need it, and requires patience and acceptance to befriend others and be merciful to strangers. Hospitality and generosity are closely intertwined and extending friendship to others meant that it was less likely that guests could be left wandering in unfamiliar places (Shelley, 2013). Furthermore, through hospitality, the visitor or guest went from being a possible threat to an ally or friend to the hosts and their families this was possible because there was acceptance and opportunities to make friendships. When considering hospitality also included invitation can include the period of time of the stay, it was possible for the hosts to let the guests stay longer and invite them later.
Practicing hospitality reflects willingness to show love to the guests and even strangers and the host provides the best that their disposal. It was also expected that the guests expressed gratitude for what they received, and praised the generosity and honor of the host. In other words hosting requires acceptance and giving where there is mutual understanding among the parties involved. Typically, the visitors’ remains under the protection of the hosts until they left and even in the NT, Christians are extolled to be welcoming wholeheartedly without being forced to do so.
Extending hospitality to others reflects compassion, care and love towards others and the culture of the Israelites was associated with receiving guests with open arms. Through showing hospitality and receiving guests mostly foreigners the Israelites welcomed God through them. The ...