A bed, a table, a stool, and a candlestick

Hospitality, Part 1

Today I want to take a look at two women in the Bible who are an example to me in a certain area of my life: The area of hospitality.

The first woman is found in 2 Kings chapter 4:

And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.
And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.
Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.

2 Kings 4:8-10

When we read about this Shunemite woman, we learn a few things about her. First, she was a great woman. I would love for my name to be mentioned in scripture as being a great woman! Second, she recognized, and had a desire to provide for the man of God. Not only that, but she, with her husband’s blessing, made a space in her home just for the man of God to feel welcome. Let’s take a look at the things she provided for Elisha in this space.

A bed

This represents a place to rest. A place where a weary traveler could take a break, and relax during his journey in this tough world.

A table

This was a place where food could be eaten (the bread she prepared him, for example). This table was also a place for learning to take place. Perhaps where this man of God could pray, study, prepare himself for the Lord’s work.

A stool

An invitation to sit a while. Spend some time comfortably being still.

A candlestick

This is needed to be able to see in the dark. Provides light and warmth where there was none before.

Doesn’t this picture basically sum up hospitality?

Now let’s visit Lydia, in the New Testament. She is found in the book of Acts, chapter 16.

And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

Acts 16:14-15

We notice about Lydia that she worshipped God. She also allowed the Lord to lead her, open her heart, and speak to her. Lydia, like the Shunemite woman in 2 Kings, opened her home to the man of God and was welcoming. Her home became a place of rest for Paul and others who were traveling with him.

Several verses later in Acts 16, Paul and those with him were imprisoned for preaching the word of God. They were then beaten and released from jail, and commanded to leave the country. Before they did, however, they stopped in to Lydia’s house for fellowship, to comfort one another, and to rest up before moving on.

And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.

Acts 16:40

Is this not what our homes should be? A place of rest. A place where good food is shared, and learning takes place. Where sitting a while, and spending time together is a normal thing, and there is light and warmth in this dark world we live in. God, help our homes bring glory to your name. Help us to be hospitable!