Topical Bible: Entertainments: Served often by Members of the Family

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Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical times, entertainments and hospitality were integral aspects of social and family life. The Scriptures provide numerous examples of how families engaged in and served entertainments, often reflecting the values and customs of their time.

Hospitality and Feasting

Hospitality was a highly regarded virtue in biblical culture, and feasting was a common form of entertainment. Families often hosted guests, providing food, drink, and fellowship. Abraham's hospitality to the three visitors in Genesis 18:1-8 exemplifies this practice. Abraham, with the help of his wife Sarah and his servants, prepared a lavish meal for his guests, demonstrating the importance of serving others as a family unit.

Family Celebrations

Family celebrations were occasions for joy and entertainment, often marked by feasting and music. In the parable of the Prodigal Son, the father organizes a grand feast to celebrate the return of his lost son (Luke 15:22-24): "But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate." This passage highlights the role of family members in preparing and participating in celebratory entertainments.

Weddings and Community Gatherings

Weddings were significant social events, often involving the entire community. The wedding at Cana, where Jesus performed His first miracle by turning water into wine, illustrates the communal nature of such celebrations (John 2:1-11). Family members played crucial roles in organizing and serving at these events, ensuring that guests were well cared for and entertained.

Music and Dance

Music and dance were common forms of entertainment in biblical times, often involving the participation of family members. In Exodus 15:20-21, Miriam, the sister of Moses, leads the women in song and dance to celebrate the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt: "Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her with tambourines and dancing. And Miriam sang to them: 'Sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted; the horse and rider He has thrown into the sea.'"

Role of Women and Servants

Women and servants frequently played key roles in preparing and serving entertainments. In the account of Martha and Mary, Martha is described as being "distracted by all the preparations to be made" (Luke 10:40), highlighting the responsibility often placed on women to manage household entertainments. This account also underscores the balance between service and spiritual attentiveness, as Jesus commends Mary for choosing to listen to His teaching.

Conclusion

The Bible presents a rich tapestry of family life where entertainments and hospitality are central themes. These activities not only provided enjoyment and fellowship but also served as opportunities for families to express love, generosity, and community spirit. Through these examples, the Scriptures offer timeless insights into the role of family in serving and participating in entertainments.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 18:8
And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 10:40
But Martha was encumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 12:2
There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

In the House of his Heavenly, and in the Home of his Earthly ...
... chambers and out-buildings, which served different purposes ... luxurious Alexandria
it seems often to have ... and such festive evening-entertainments, with elaborate ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter x in the house.htm

Reclaiming a Church to Meet a New Age
... The social atmosphere, the entertainments, the athletic record ... He served Mr. Nelson
thirty-one years, though ... and though not ordained is often called "Reverend ...
/.../herrick/frank h nelson of cincinnati/reclaiming a church to meet.htm

Chapter seven
... "Oh, yes, quite often!" said Rachel ... "The world has been served by men ... dictates, moving
on its little narrow round of pleasures and entertainments, and never ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter seven.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty --(Continued)
... or in Ethiopia, the Pharaoh would choose from among the members of the family whom
he ... against the man to whom they owed their elevation, often gave more ...
/.../chapter ithe eighteenth theban dynastycontinued.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... their critical faculties, and often their imagination ... expeditions, his banquets,
and entertainments in the ... over less powerful neighbours served to obliterate ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

Pagan Cemeteries.
... Tombstones often mention transactions of this kind, and state the ... which he belonged,
if he had served in the ... his exhibitions of games and entertainments in the ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter vi pagan cemeteries.htm

Church Fabrics and Services.
... They were often rung on other occasions when ... to see churchyards which might have
served as pictures ... in Lent,[1006] comparatively few entertainments, public or ...
/.../the english church in the eighteenth century/chapter x church fabrics and.htm

part i
... Thus, I often hear in church the Mother of God singing her wonderful, heart ... this
better, imagine a father, righteous and severe, who loves his family, and is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part i.htm

City of God
... to Be Worshipped in Licentious Entertainments Were Unworthy ... Worship Wherewith the
True Divinity Should Be Served. ... the Invisible God, Who Has Often Made Himself ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/

Hymns, Festival and Occasional.
... of his Puritan sympathies, and served under Cromwell ... in the Baptist hymnals, and
often sung at ... at church festivals, charity fairs and entertainments of similar ...
/.../brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/chapter xiii hymns festival and.htm