Topical Encyclopedia The Bible provides numerous examples of women who demonstrate courtesy and hospitality to strangers, reflecting virtues of kindness, generosity, and faith. These acts of courtesy are often seen as expressions of godly character and obedience to God's commandments.Rebekah's Kindness to Abraham's Servant One of the most notable examples is Rebekah, who showed exceptional hospitality to Abraham's servant. In Genesis 24, Abraham sends his servant to find a wife for his son Isaac. Upon arriving at a well, the servant prays for a sign, asking that the woman who offers him and his camels water be the one chosen by God for Isaac. Rebekah fulfills this request with grace and generosity. Genesis 24:18-20 states, "‘Drink, my lord,’ she replied, and she quickly lowered her jar to her hands and gave him a drink. After she had given him a drink, she said, ‘I will draw water for your camels as well, until they have had enough to drink.’ And she quickly emptied her jar into the trough and ran back to the well to draw more water, until she had drawn enough for all his camels." Rebekah's actions exemplify a spirit of service and kindness to a stranger, which ultimately leads to her becoming part of the lineage of Israel. The Shunammite Woman's Hospitality Another example is the Shunammite woman, who showed hospitality to the prophet Elisha. In 2 Kings 4:8-10, she perceives Elisha as a holy man of God and offers him a place to stay whenever he passes through her town. She even goes so far as to prepare a room for him, saying to her husband, "Please let us make a small room upstairs and put in it a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp for him. Then whenever he comes to us, he can stay there." Her courtesy and generosity are rewarded by God, as Elisha later intercedes for her to have a son, fulfilling a deep desire of her heart. Rahab's Protection of the Spies Rahab, a woman of Jericho, also demonstrates courtesy and bravery by protecting the Israelite spies sent by Joshua. In Joshua 2, Rahab hides the spies from the king's men and helps them escape, acknowledging the power of the God of Israel. Her actions, though risky, show a profound respect and kindness to strangers, which leads to her and her family's salvation during the conquest of Jericho. Hebrews 11:31 commends her faith: "By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies in peace, did not perish with those who were disobedient." Abigail's Diplomacy with David Abigail, the wife of Nabal, is another example of a woman who courteously intervenes to prevent bloodshed. In 1 Samuel 25, after her husband insults David, Abigail quickly acts to appease David's anger by bringing him gifts and speaking with wisdom and humility. Her actions not only prevent violence but also earn David's respect and gratitude. Abigail's courteous and wise approach is highlighted in 1 Samuel 25:32-33 , where David says, "Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who sent you to meet me this day! Blessed is your discernment, and blessed are you for restraining me from shedding blood and avenging myself with my own hands." These examples illustrate the biblical principle that women, through their courtesy and hospitality to strangers, play a significant role in God's redemptive history. Their actions often lead to blessings and fulfillments of God's promises, showcasing the importance of kindness and generosity in the life of faith. Nave's Topical Index Genesis 24:17And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray you, drink a little water of your pitcher. Nave's Topical Index Library Excuses not Reasons A Supplementary Chapter to the Bible in Spain The People among whom we Labour (Continued). Third Sunday in Lent Funeral Oration on Meletius . John Calvin. His Life and Character. A Paradox A Case of Conscience Resolved Treatise on the Priesthood. Book iii. A Discourse Upon the Pharisee and the Publican Resources Why do women have such a small role in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about women leaders in government? Should a woman be President? | GotQuestions.org What roles can women fill in ministry? | GotQuestions.org Women: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Women are Courteous to Strangers Women are Tender to Her offspring Women of the Body (Ekklesia) of Christ Women: A Persian Queen Sat on a Throne Beside Her King Women: Active in Instigating to Iniquity Women: As Prophets: Philip's Four Unmarried Daughters Women: Athaliah, in Destroying the Royal Household and Usurping the Throne Women: Bath-Sheba, in Her Adultery, in Becoming the Wife of Her Husband's Murderer Women: Consecrated Jewels to Tabernacle Women: Converted by Preaching of Paul Women: Could not Marry Without the Consent of Parents Women: Deborah, a Judge, Prophetess, and Military Leader Women: Delilah, in Her Conspiracy Against Samson Women: Difference in Ceremonies Made Between Male and Female Children Women: Dinah, in Her Fornication Women: Eve, in Yielding to Temptation and Seducing Her Husband Women: Fall of, and Curse Upon Women: First to Whom the Risen Lord Appeared Women: Fond of Self-Indulgence Women: Forbidden to Wear Men's Costume Women: Gomer, the Adulterous Wife of Hosea Women: had Separate Apartments in Dwellings Women: Haman's Wife, in Advising Him to Hang Mordecai Women: Hannah, the Mother of Samuel Women: Help in Defensive Operations Women: Herodias, in Her Incestuous Marriage With Herod Antipas Women: Herodius, by Indirectly Causing John the Baptist to be Decapitated Women: Jezebel, in Her Conspiracy Against Naboth, to Cheat Him out of his Vineyard Women: Jezebel, in Her Evil Counsels To, and Influence Over, Ahab Women: Jezebel, in Her Persecution and Destruction of the Prophets of the Lord Women: Jezebel, in Her Persecution of Elijah Women: Job's Wife, in Suggesting to Him That he Curse God and Die Women: Leah, in Her Imitation of Rachel in the Matter of Children Women: Lot's Wife, in Her Rebellion Against Her Situation, and Against the Destruction of Sodom Women: Michal, in Her Derision of David's Religious Zeal Women: Miriam, in Her Sedition With Aaron Against Moses Women: Not to be Given in Marriage Was Considered a Calamity Women: Patriotic: The Women of Israel Women: Patriotic: The Women of the Philistines Women: Peninnah, the Wife of Elkanah, in Her Jealous Taunting of Hannah Women: Potiphar's Wife, in Her Lascivious Lust and Slander Against Joseph Women: Property Rights of in Inheritance Women: Property Rights of To Sell Real Estate Women: Punishment for Seducing, when not Betrothed Women: Punishment to be Inflicted Upon Men for Seducing, when Betrothed Women: Purifications of After Childbirth Women: Purifications of After Menstruation Women: Rachel, in Her Jealousy of Leah Women: Rachel, in Stealing Images Women: Religious Privileges of, Among Early Christians Women: Required to Attend to the Reading of the Law of Moses Women: Rules for Dress of Christian Women: Sapphira, in Her Blasphemous Falsehood Women: Sarah, in Her Jealousy and Malice Toward Hagar Women: Silly, and Easily Led Into Error Women: Social Status of in Persia Women: Social Status of in Roman Customs Women: Sold for Husband's Debts Women: Solomon's Wives, in Their Idolatrous and Wicked Influence Over Solomon Women: Symbolical of Wickedness Women: Tended Flocks and Herds Women: The Cannibalistic Mothers of Samaria Women: The Daughters of Lot, in Their Incestuous Lust Women: The Midianite Woman in the Camp of Israel, Taken in Adultery Women: The Philippian Christians Women: The Shunammite Woman, Who Gave Hospitality to Elisha Women: The Sodomites of the Southern Kingdom (Judah) Women: The Widow Who Put Her Two Mite (Small Coins, Greek: Leptas) Into the Treasury Women: The Woman Caught in the Act of Adultery and Brought to Jesus in the Temple Women: Took Part in Ancient Worship Women: Treated With Cruelty in War Women: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Women: Virtuous, Held in High Estimation Women: Wicked: Commits Forgery Women: Wicked: Full of Deceit and Licentiousness Women: Wicked: Silly and Wayward Women: Wicked: Zeal of, in Licentious Practices of Idolatry Women: Widow of Zarephath, Who Fed Elijah During the Famine Women: Worshiped in Separate Compartments Women: Zealous in Promoting Superstition and Idolatry Women: Zipporah, in Her Persecution of Moses on Account of his Religious Obligations Related Terms Women-servants (21 Occurrences) |
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