Read: Genesis 22-24
Focus Verse: “The Hittites replied to Abraham, ‘Sir, listen to us. You are a mighty prince among us. Bury your dead in the choicest of our tombs. None of us will refuse you his tomb for burying your dead.’ Then Abraham rose and bowed down before the people of the land, the Hitties.” (Genesis 23:5-7).
Devotion: What is true humility? Service, hospitality, and sacrifice seem to be a theme of the LORD’s people in Genesis so far. Abraham goes to bury his wife and when he wants to buy a tomb, he is given it and called a prince. Abraham the prince doesn’t exactly do what we would expect a prince to do. Abraham BOWS down and pays full price! WHAT!? The Hittites call him a prince, and are willing to give him their land for free, and yet he humbles himself by bowing down before others and paying for something that was a willing gift to him. Later, when a servant is sent to find a wife for Abraham’s son, the main requirement is a woman who won’t just offer a servant water, but goes out of her way to bring water to his camels too, and invite all of his company back to stay the night and feed them. “We have plenty of straw and fodder, as well as a room for you to spend the night.” (Gen 24:23b). Rebekah is only asked to spare a little water for the servant, but goes above and beyond the call to be hospitable. Both these stories in Ch. 22-24 show radical hospitality and humility. The mark of God’s people is to be humble by sharing our resources and ourselves.
Pray: LORD humble me before the foot of the cross. Help me to see every day those who are around me and how I can show your loving hospitality to them. Lord help me see what I can do to be more like you and your people every day. Amen.
Additional scripture: “Blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.” (Jeremiah 17:7)