Psalm 23, the ancient answer

Psalm 23 is in my memory bank. I repeat it often to myself. It is essential to my understanding of life and how to live it effectively and joyfully.

Psalm 23 is known as the “shepherd” Psalm. That description is only half true. The first part of the psalm begins with the words “the Lord is my shepherd.” Halfway through the psalm, there is a sharp and dramatic change. “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemy.” Psalm 23 is actually parts of two separate psalms. No one effectively has explained how the two parts were joined, but the reality is obvious to even the casual reader.

The second half of Psalm 23 is a statement about the ancient laws of hospitality that were practiced by early Israelites. The hospitality codes were a part of the Law of Moses. Israelites, like other clans, developed customs/rules that directed their life together. Probably their most endearing custom was the law to “love your neighbor.” The laws of hospitality have received much less notice, and Christians ignore the plain teachings of both Old and New Testaments.

The custom is simple. If a stranger comes to your door and seeks shelter/hospitality, a faithful Israelite (or Christian) welcomes the stranger. The stranger may be a sojourner, a wanderer, or even a person charged with a crime.

Jesus embraced the laws of hospitality. In fact, for Jesus it was a test of true religion. When he sent out his disciples, he instructed them to take no supplies. When they had needs they were to go to someone’s door and ask for hospitality. If they were accepted, all was well. Their needs were met. If they were rebuffed, the home owner was no faithful Israelite, and the Jesus disciple was to move on to the next door.

The second part of Psalm 23 is a story about the practice of hospitality. A person has been charged with a serious crime. He is running from an offended party to escape vengeance and reprisal. He runs to the tent of an Israelite and seeks refuge and hospitality. In the Psalm the refugee has been welcomed. The host has prepared a banquet for the fleeing stranger. The host has left a flap to the tent open. The enemy/pursuer is completely stymied. He can do nothing but stand outside and watch his offender eat a banquet. To add emphasis, the host anoints his guest with oil (a granting of royal standing) and keeps a wine cup overflowing. The law of hospitality says the refugee is safe as long as he remains in the tent of his host. The suggestion is that the “enemy” gets tired of waiting and finally goes away.

In the hospitality scheme of ancient Israel, cities of refuge were established to which disenfranchised people could flee. They were safe as long as they stayed in these special cities. Hospitality was the great tool of redeeming and restoring. In chapter one of the Gospel of John speaking of Jesus we read “He came to his own, but his own received him not. But to those who received him, he gave them the power to become children of God.” This is the law of hospitality at work in this life and in the next. Ignore the Bible teachings about hospitality and we are all in big trouble.

Over the years, my wife and I have attempted to practice hospitality. We have welcomed an array of strangers, who have come to our door. We have many fascinating stories to tell. We have welcomed homeless children, people with mental illnesses and convicted felons. We have many redemption stories. We have been robbed, but never physically harmed. Hospitality has taken the form of housing, foster care, feeding, clothing and advocacy. Our testimony is simple. Hospitality works.

I have long pondered why Christians pursue the practice of a range of moral challenges but ignore the challenges of hospitality. On the bright side, some compassionate Christians are living up to the Bible’s standards of compassion and justice. In the congregation my wife and I attend, recently a successful young professional person has adopted two homeless children who were difficult to place, and a great-grandmother has adopted her two great-grandchildren. Our next door neighbor has adopted four of their grandchildren. They belong to a network of adopting grandparents. Hospitality at work!

Today our world is full of refugees. Wars produce refuges by the million. Can hospitality be found for each and every one? The United States is a nation of law. The practice of hospitality and compassion is not an American requirement nor even an ideal. Compassionate hospitality in America will continue to be voluntary. Thankfully religions that practice compassion are free to do Biblical hospitality. Institutional answers have not worked. Orphanages have been found to be only marginally successful. Prisons have been total failures. Refugee camps and emergency food programs are band aids. Some churches are responding to the world refugee crisis by becoming houses of refuge and practitioners of hospitality. We need many more to follow their lead.

When the Bible’s standards of hospitality are more broadly practiced, we will have a different kind of world.

The Rev. Howard Bess is a retired American Baptist minister, who lives in Palmer, Alaska. His email address is hdbss@mtaonline.net.