Rev. Don Campbell
THOUGHT FOR TODAY, JANUARY 18, 2019: ENTERTAINING ANGELS UNAWARES [Gen 19-21]
The writer of Hebrews exhorts, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (Heb 13:2). Seizing upon this passage, many find angels behind every unexplainable event.
The writer may have had in mind an episode in the life of Lot. What appeared to be three men had visited Abraham at his tent (Gen 18). As it turns out, one of the three was the Lord (vv.9-15). The other two were angels who journeyed on to Sodom. Both Lot and the people of Sodom saw them as men, but they are clearly angels (19:1).
It is interesting to follow the narrative, noting the alternating use of “men” and “angels” (vv.1, 8, 10, 12, 15, 16). Clearly, Lot and all the citizens of Sodom thought these persons were human because they appeared as such.
The narrative portions of Scripture are not necessarily normative for us today, but we still read, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (Heb 13:2). Rationalist might totally deny the supernatural, suggesting that the story is a myth to allow primitive humanity to deal with unexplainable events. Others expose their rationalistic underwear by accepting the account at face value but argue that the Hebrew writer did not mean that angels are still active in the affairs of the world. Although the same writer said that they are sent forth to minister on our behalf (Heb 1:14), the rationalist would argue that they ceased to at the same time miraculous gifts came to an end.
Those who deny the presence of angels in the world and those who want to attribute every unexplainable event as being the work of angels should learn a lesson from Job, who said, “You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance? It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me” (Job 42:3, NLT). When things happen in life that we cannot fully explain, we should do as did Job: PUT OUR HANDS OVER OUR MOUTHS AND BE QUITE (40:4).
