Genesis 18:5
And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.
Genesis 18:5
Abraham promises food after offering water and rest: “I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts.” The exchange emphasizes the purpose of hospitality: to refresh, encourage, and fortify travelers for the journey ahead. The statement “for therefore are ye come to your servant” frames the visit as a mission with a real purpose: blessing, confirmation of promises, and guidance in God’s plan. The biblical pattern here links physical nourishment with spiritual encouragement, highlighting the host’s responsibility to provide both.
This verse reflects the integration of physical and spiritual sustenance. Food becomes a vehicle for divine encounter and blessing, underscoring God’s care for human needs. The act also signals the communal nature of God’s plans: the visitors’ mission is not solitary but affects the whole community. The hospitality narrative, anchored in nourishment, models the biblical ethic that generosity has redemptive potential.
Practical takeaways: attend to both physical and emotional needs when guests or others come into your space. Offer good food, a comfortable environment, and space to rest, then transition to listening and praying with those you host. In daily life, consider ways you can “feed” others—share a meal with a neighbor, mentor a student, or provide tangible help to someone in need. By viewing hospitality as a bridge to blessing, you cultivate generosity that reflects God’s character.
Cross-References: 1 Samuel 20:41; Romans 12:13; Hebrews 13:2; 3 John 1:5