Full Hospitality for Weary Travelers
February 2, 2021
Commentary
Since it was late in the day his servant suggested that they spend the night in Jerusalem, but the Levite said no because it belonged to foreigners and was not considered a proper place to be (vv. 11-13). Instead, they traveled on north to Gibeah and arrived there just as the sun was going down (v. 14). The towns of Palestine at this period could not, it seems, furnish any establishment in the shape of an inn or public lodging-house. Hence it was not uncommon, for travelers who were late in arriving to spread their bedding in the streets to pass the night in the open air. These weary travelers could find no hospitality by the local Benjaminites but finally found another Ephraimite who was residing there who offered his house for the night (vv. 15-18).
The Levite had been careful to point out to the old man that they were self-sufficient and did not need any food for themselves or their animals (v. 19). All they needed was shelter. However, no item was overlooked as the beasts were taken care of, the travel stains of his guests were washed away and ample provisions for their physical needs were made (vv. 20-21). Any anxiety that had been in their hearts before must have been relieved by this fine hospitality. It was sort of like a time of real calmness just before a big storm.
Application
Have you ever experienced being on a trip and very weary when a Christian family who are total strangers to you have invited you to their place to spend the night? In the ministry which I have been involved in, I have had this happen to me on numerous occasions. It is truly a great joy to experience this kind of hospitality. I also find great joy to do the same for others in our home.
Judges 19:11– 21 (NET)
11 When they got near Jebus, it was getting quite late and the servant said to his master, “Come on, let’s stop at this Jebusite city and spend the night in it.” 12 But his master said to him, “We should not stop at a foreign city where non-Israelites live. We will travel on to Gibeah.” 13 He said to his servant, “Come on, we will go into one of the other towns and spend the night in Gibeah or Ramah.” 14 So they traveled on, and the sun went down when they were near Gibeah in the territory of Benjamin. 15 They stopped there and decided to spend the night in Gibeah. They came into the city and sat down in the town square, but no one invited them to spend the night.
16 But then an old man passed by, returning at the end of the day from his work in the field. The man was from the Ephraimite hill country; he was living temporarily in Gibeah. (The residents of the town were Benjaminites.) 17 When he looked up and saw the traveler in the town square, the old man said, “Where are you heading? Where do you come from?” 18 The Levite said to him, “We are traveling from Bethlehem in Judah to the remote region of the Ephraimite hill country. That’s where I’m from. I had business in Bethlehem in Judah, but now I’m heading home. But no one has invited me into their home. 19 We have enough straw and grain for our donkeys, and there is enough food and wine for me, your female servant, and the young man who is with your servants. We lack nothing.” 20 The old man said, “Everything is just fine. I will take care of all your needs. But don’t spend the night in the town square.” 21 So he brought him to his house and fed the donkeys. They washed their feet and had a meal.