"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." Hebrews 13: 2 ESV

Have you ever met an Angel?  There is a lot being written about Angels interacting with people. 

The question is does the Bible give us any reason to think we might actually have personal interaction with Angels?

1. Abraham entertained Angels unawares.

There is a verse in Hebrews 13 that reminds us that Abraham entertained Angels unawares.

• "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it." — Hebrews 13:2 NASB

This goes back to Genesis 18 where Abraham and Sarah prepared a meal for some visiting Angels and God himself even showed up

• 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.
” — Genesis 18:8

2. We may entertain Angels and not be aware of it!

The writer of Hebrews uses that to remind us that we may  entertain Angels and not be aware of it. 

How can that happen?

Well, it says back in the 1st chapter of Hebrews that the Angels are ministering spirits sent to minister to the saints.

• "Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?" — Hebrews 1:14

God dispatches Angels to care for us, to minister to us, to serve us.

Now Jesus even said our Angels, that is the Angels who are dispatched to care for us believers are always beholding the face of God.

• "Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you that in Heaven their angels do always behold the face of My Father who is in Heaven." — Matthew 18:10

They are watching him, ready to be sent by him, to those for whom he is concerned.

Yes it's true, we are surely, interacting with Angels without knowing it as they care for us in God's plan.

3. Let us show Hospitality to Strangers

For by this some have entertained angels without knowing it is not given as the basis or motivation for hospitality. We are not to be hospitable because on some occasion we might find ourselves ministering to angels.

We are to minister out of brotherly love, for the sake of those we help and for God’s glory. The point of the second half of verse 2 is that we can never know how important and far-reaching a simple act of helpfulness may be.

We minister because of need, not because of any consequences we are able to foresee.

Abraham went out of his way to help the three men who were passing by his tent. He did not wait to be asked for help, but volunteered. It was an opportunity more than a duty.

In fact he considered the greater service was to himself, saying 

• "My lord, if now I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by" — Genesis 18:3

At the time, he had no idea that two of the men were angels and that the third was the Lord Himself (18:1; 19:1). 

In a sense, we always minister to the Lord when we are hospitable, especially to fellow believers. 

• "Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me" — Matthew 25:40

To feed the hungry, take in the stranger, clothe the naked, and visit the imprisoned in Jesus’ name is to serve Him. To turn our backs on those in need of such things is to turn our backs on Him. 

• "Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me" — Matthew 25:45

HAVE YOU EVER MET AN ANGEL?

We’d love to hear your stories! Let us know in the comments below.